Legal Definitions - summary court-martial

A summary court-martial is a type of military court that is used to try members of the armed forces who are accused of violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice. It is the lowest level of courts-martial and is presided over by a single commissioned officer who has limited jurisdiction in terms of the sanctions that can be imposed.

For example, if a soldier is accused of being absent without leave, they may be tried in a summary court-martial. The presiding officer can impose a punishment of up to 30 days of confinement, reduction in rank, and forfeiture of pay.

Another example would be if a sailor is accused of disobeying a lawful order. They may also be tried in a summary court-martial, and the presiding officer can impose a punishment of up to 30 days of confinement, reduction in rank, and forfeiture of pay.

These examples illustrate how a summary court-martial is used to try minor offenses and how the presiding officer has limited jurisdiction in terms of the sanctions that can be imposed.