What is the composition of a summary court-martial?

A summary court-martial is designed to address minor offenses in a streamlined manner. It typically consists of only one military judge, who conducts the proceedings without a jury. The judge is responsible for determining both the admissibility of evidence and the guilt or innocence of the accused, making decisions based solely on the evidence presented during the trial.

The role of counsel for both prosecution and defense, as mentioned in the first choice, may be present in other types of courts-martial, but in a summary court-martial, the process is simplified, and often there is no requirement for separate legal counsel as there would be in a more formal court. Thus, while the initial option may seem appealing due to its inclusion of a jury and legal counsel, it does not accurately represent the structure of a summary court-martial.

The key takeaway is that a summary court-martial typically includes just the military judge. Understanding this structure is essential for grasping military legal procedures properly.