What type of court-martial is the most common and less severe?

The most common and least severe type of court-martial is a summary court-martial. This type of court-martial is designed to handle minor offenses and is typically used for cases that do not warrant a more serious setting. It provides a simpler and quicker process for adjudicating cases involving less serious violations of military law.

A summary court-martial consists of one officer who serves as the judge and also acts as the jury, which streamlines the proceedings and reflects the less severe nature of the offenses addressed. This type of court-martial can impose relatively light punishments, such as reduction in rank, confinement for a short duration, or forfeiture of pay, aligning with its purpose of addressing minor misconduct without the complexities of more formal court-martial proceedings.

In contrast, special and general court-martials are intended for more serious offenses and involve more extensive processes, such as a panel of officers who serve as jurors. An advisory court-martial is not a recognized type of court-martial in the military justice system. Therefore, understanding the function and structure of each type of court-martial highlights why a summary court-martial is the most common and less severe option for dealing with minor infractions