Article 15 Disciplinary Procedures Under Military Law
In contrast to formal courts-martial, Article 15 procedures in the U.S. military are a form of non-judicial discipline conducted by commanders. They do not result in a criminal record and may not permanently affect a service member’s record in the military. These are the most common type of disciplinary proceeding in the armed forces and are usually limited to minor violations. A more serious offense will be handled through a formal court-martial. If a service member does not want to accept Article 15 penalties, they can request a court-martial, but this may result in more severe consequences. You may want to talk to a military law attorney if you are considering requesting a court-martial instead of accepting Article 15 penalties.
An Article 15 can have a significant impact on your military career. It may affect your chances of getting special assignments, promotions, or security clearances. In some cases, a service member may be able to get an Article 15 removed from their file. They may have a better chance at removal if they avoid ensuing disciplinary violations. Each branch of the service provides its own procedures for this type of request. However, sometimes an Article 15 stays permanently on a service member's record.
Arrests and Civilian Consequences
If you were arrested during the events that resulted in Article 15 penalties, you may face consequences in your civilian life. This is because arrests may be reported to the FBI. You can ask your commander to help you ask the FBI to remove the record of your arrest, or you can submit a request under privacy laws. As noted above, Article 15 does not result in a criminal record, so you should not face the same types of obstacles that people with convictions in a civilian court often face.
Summary Courts-Martial
Sometimes misconduct that could be resolved through Article 15 may result in a relatively informal type of court-martial called a summary court-martial. If you do not want your case to be decided at a summary court-martial, you have the right to refuse it. You can see the evidence against you before the proceedings begin, as well as the nature of your charge and the names of your accuser and prosecution witnesses. You can ask for a spokesperson or other service members to speak on your behalf. However, a single officer will evaluate the evidence and make a decision. They will question both the accuser and the accused about their version of events, and they can ask for legal advice from a judge advocate if needed.
Military service members have a basic set of rights at a summary court-martial. They will be allowed to present witnesses and evidence, and they are free to remain silent without an inference of their guilt. They have a right to know the maximum possible sentence, and they can plead guilty or not guilty. They also have a right to make a statement or present further evidence to support a reduction in their penalties if they are found guilty. (They can ask to defer any part of their sentence that involves confinement.) They have a right to appeal if they are found guilty, using a copy of the trial record. The Military Rules of Evidence apply in these proceedings, so there are limits on the admissibility of evidence that are similar to the limits in civilian courts.
