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10 U.S.C. § 838 — Art. 38. Duties of trial counsel and defense counsel
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a)** The trial counsel of a general or special court-martial shall prosecute in the name of the United States, and shall, under the direction of the court, prepare the record of the proceedings.
**(b)**
(1) The accused has the right to be represented in his defense before a general or special court-martial or at a preliminary hearing under [section 832 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section832&num=0&edition=prelim) (article 32) as provided in this subsection.
(2) The accused may be represented by civilian counsel if provided by him.
(3) The accused may be represented—
(A) by military counsel detailed under [section 827 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section827&num=0&edition=prelim) (article 27); or
(B) by military counsel of his own selection if that counsel is reasonably available (as determined under regulations prescribed under paragraph (7)).
(4) If the accused is represented by civilian counsel, military counsel detailed or selected under paragraph (3) shall act as associate counsel unless excused at the request of the accused.
(5) Except as provided under paragraph (6), if the accused is represented by military counsel of his own selection under paragraph (3)(B), any military counsel detailed under paragraph (3)(A) shall be excused.
(6) The accused is not entitled to be represented by more than one military counsel. However, the person authorized under regulations prescribed under [section 827 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section827&num=0&edition=prelim) (article 27) to detail counsel, in his sole discretion—
(A) may detail additional military counsel as assistant defense counsel; and
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Source file: Laws/federal/codes/united-states-code/title-10/section-838-art-38-duties-of-trial-counsel-and-defense-counsel--3332db4e71.md
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Source location: Title 10, Chapter 47, § 838; chapter-047-uniform-code-of-military-justice.md
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**(a)** The trial counsel of a general or special court-martial shall prosecute in the name of the United States, and shall, under the direction of the court, prepare the record of the proceedings.
**(b)**
(1) The accused has the right to be represented in his defense before a general or special court-martial or at a preliminary hearing under [section 832 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section832&num=0&edition=prelim) (article 32) as provided in this subsection.
(2) The accused may be represented by civilian counsel if provided by him.
(3) The accused may be represented—
(A) by military counsel detailed under [section 827 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section827&num=0&edition=prelim) (article 27); or
(B) by military counsel of his own selection if that counsel is reasonably available (as determined under regulations prescribed under paragraph (7)).
(4) If the accused is represented by civilian counsel, military counsel detailed or selected under paragraph (3) shall act as associate counsel unless excused at the request of the accused.
(5) Except as provided under paragraph (6), if the accused is represented by military counsel of his own selection under paragraph (3)(B), any military counsel detailed under paragraph (3)(A) shall be excused.
(6) The accused is not entitled to be represented by more than one military counsel. However, the person authorized under regulations prescribed under [section 827 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section827&num=0&edition=prelim) (article 27) to detail counsel, in his sole discretion—
(A) may detail additional military counsel as assistant defense counsel; and
(B) if the accused is represented by military counsel of his own selection under paragraph (3)(B), may approve a request from the accused that military counsel detailed under paragraph (3)(A) act as associate defense counsel.
(7) The Secretary concerned shall, by regulation, define “reasonably available” for the purpose of paragraph (3)(B) and establish procedures for determining whether the military counsel selected by an accused under that paragraph is reasonably available. Such regulations may not prescribe any limitation based on the reasonable availability of counsel solely on the grounds that the counsel selected by the accused is from an armed force other than the armed force of which the accused is a member. To the maximum extent practicable, such regulations shall establish uniform policies among the armed forces while recognizing the differences in the circumstances and needs of the various armed forces. The Secretary concerned shall submit copies of regulations prescribed under this paragraph to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives.
**(c)** In any court-martial proceeding resulting in a conviction, the defense counsel—
(1) may forward for attachment to the record of proceedings a brief of such matters as he determines should be considered in behalf of the accused on review (including any objection to the contents of the record which he considers appropriate);
(2) may assist the accused in the submission of any matter under section 860, 860a, or 860b of this title (article 60, 60a, or 60b); and
(3) may take other action authorized by this chapter.
**(d)** An assistant trial counsel of a general court-martial may, under the direction of the trial counsel or when he is qualified to be a trial counsel as required by [section 827 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section827&num=0&edition=prelim) (article 27), perform any duty imposed by law, regulation, or the custom of the service upon the trial counsel of the court. An assistant trial counsel of a special court-martial may perform any duty of the trial counsel.
**(e)** An assistant defense counsel of a general or special court-martial may perform any duty imposed by law, regulation, or the custom of the service upon counsel for the accused.
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a)** A period of leave required to be taken under section 876a or 1182(c)(2) of this title shall be charged against any accrued leave to the member’s credit on the day before the day such leave begins unless the member elects to be paid for such accrued leave under subsection (b). If the member does not elect to be paid for such accrued leave under subsection (b), or does not have sufficient accrued leave to his credit to cover the total period of leave required to be taken, the leave not covered by accrued leave shall be charged as excess leave. If the member elects to be paid for accrued leave under subsection (b), the total period of leave required to be taken shall be charged as excess leave.
**(b)**
(1) A member who is required to take leave under section 876a or 1182(c)(2) of this title and who has accrued leave to his credit on the day before the day such leave begins may elect to be paid for such accrued leave. Any such payment shall be based on the rate of basic pay to which the member was entitled on the day before the day such leave began. If the member does not elect to be paid for such accrued leave, the member is entitled to pay and allowances during the period of accrued leave required to be taken.
(2) Except as provided in paragraph (1) and in sections 707 and 707a of this title, a member may not accrue or receive pay or allowances during a period of leave required to be taken under section 876a or 1182(c)(2) of this title.
**(c)** A member required to take leave under section 876a or 1182(c)(2) of this title is not entitled to any right or benefit under chapter 43 of title 38 solely because of employment during the period of such leave.
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a)** The following persons are subject to this chapter:
(1) Members of a regular component of the armed forces, and members of the Space Force on active duty under [section 20105 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section20105&num=0&edition=prelim), including those awaiting discharge after expiration of their terms of enlistment; volunteers from the time of their muster or acceptance into the armed forces; inductees from the time of their actual induction into the armed forces; and other persons lawfully called or ordered into, or to duty in or for training in, the armed forces, from the dates when they are required by the terms of the call or order to obey it.
(2) Cadets, aviation cadets, and midshipmen.
(3)
(A) While on inactive-duty training and during any of the periods specified in subparagraph (B)—
(i) members of a reserve component or the Space Force; and
(ii) members of the Army National Guard of the United States or the Air National Guard of the United States, but only when in Federal service.
(B) The periods referred to in subparagraph (A) are the following:
(i) Travel to and from the inactive-duty training site of the member, pursuant to orders or regulations.
(ii) Intervals between consecutive periods of inactive-duty training on the same day, pursuant to orders or regulations.
(iii) Intervals between inactive-duty training on consecutive days, pursuant to orders or regulations.
(4) Retired members of a regular component of the armed forces who are entitled to pay.
(5) Retired members of a reserve component, or retired members of the Space Force who qualified for a non-regular retirement and are receiving retired pay, who are receiving hospitalization from an armed force.
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 10 U.S.C. § 802
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
In this chapter (the Uniform Code of Military Justice):
(1) The term “Judge Advocate General” means, severally, the Judge Advocates General of the Army, Navy, and Air Force and, except when the Coast Guard is operating as a service in the Navy, an official designated to serve as Judge Advocate General of the Coast Guard by the Secretary of Homeland Security.
(2) The Navy, the Marine Corps, and the Coast Guard when it is operating as a service in the Navy, shall be considered as one armed force.
(3) The term “commanding officer” includes only commissioned officers.
(4) The term “officer in charge” means a member of the Navy, the Marine Corps, or the Coast Guard designated as such by appropriate authority.
(5) The term “superior commissioned officer” means a commissioned officer superior in rank or command.
(6) The term “cadet” means a cadet of the United States Military Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, or the United States Coast Guard Academy.
(7) The term “midshipman” means a midshipman of the United States Naval Academy and any other midshipman on active duty in the naval service.
(8) The term “military” refers to any or all of the armed forces.
(9) The term “accuser” means a person who signs and swears to charges, any person who directs that charges nominally be signed and sworn to by another, and any other person who has an interest other than an official interest in the prosecution of the accused.
(10) The term “military judge” means a judge advocate designated under [section 826(c) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section826/c&num=0&edition=prelim) (article 26(c)) who is detailed under section 826(a) or [section 830a of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 10 U.S.C. § 801
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a)**
(1) Trial counsel and defense counsel shall be detailed for each general and special court-martial. Assistant trial counsel and assistant and associate defense counsel may be detailed for each general and special court-martial. The Secretary concerned shall prescribe regulations providing for the manner in which counsel are detailed for such courts-martial and for the persons who are authorized to detail counsel for such courts-martial.
(2) No person who, with respect to a case, has served as a preliminary hearing officer, court member, military judge, military magistrate, or appellate judge, may later serve as trial counsel, assistant trial counsel, or, unless expressly requested by the accused, as defense counsel or assistant or associate defense counsel in the same case. No person who has acted for the prosecution may act later in the same case for the defense, nor may any person who has acted for the defense act later in the same case for the prosecution.
**(b)** Trial counsel, defense counsel, or assistant defense counsel detailed for a general court-martial—
(1) must be a judge advocate who is qualified under [section 806(a)(1) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section806/a/1&num=0&edition=prelim) (article 6(a)(1)); and
(2) must be certified as competent to perform such duties by the Judge Advocate General of the armed force of which he is a member.
**(c)**
(1) Defense counsel and assistant defense counsel detailed for a special court-martial shall have the qualifications set forth in subsection (b).
(2) Trial counsel and assistant trial counsel detailed for a special court-martial and assistant trial counsel detailed for a general court-martial must be determined to be competent to perform such dut
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 10 U.S.C. § 827
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Statement of Trial Results.—**
(1) The military judge of a general or special court-martial shall enter into the record of trial a document entitled “Statement of Trial Results”, which shall set forth—
(A) each plea and finding;
(B) the sentence, if any; and
(C) such other information as the President may prescribe by regulation.
(2) Copies of the Statement of Trial Results shall be provided promptly to the convening authority, the accused, and any victim of the offense.
**(b) Post-trial Motions.—** In accordance with regulations prescribed by the President, the military judge in a general or special court-martial shall address all post-trial motions and other post-trial matters that—
(1) may affect a plea, a finding, the sentence, the Statement of Trial Results, the record of trial, or any post-trial action by the convening authority; and
(2) are subject to resolution by the military judge before entry of judgment.
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 10 U.S.C. § 860
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) In General.—**
(1)
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a preliminary hearing shall be held before referral of charges and specifications for trial by general court-martial. The preliminary hearing shall be conducted by an impartial hearing officer detailed in accordance with subparagraph (C).
(B) Under regulations prescribed by the President, a preliminary hearing need not be held if the accused submits a written waiver to—
(i) except as provided in clause (ii), the convening authority and the convening authority determines that a hearing is not required; and
(ii) with respect to charges and specifications over which the special trial counsel is exercising authority in accordance with [section 824a of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section824a&num=0&edition=prelim) (article 24a), the special trial counsel and the special trial counsel determines that a hearing is not required.
(C)
(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), the convening authority shall detail a hearing officer.
(ii) If a special trial counsel is exercising authority over the charges and specifications subject to a preliminary hearing under this section (article), the special trial counsel shall request a hearing officer and a hearing officer shall be provided by the convening authority, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the President.
(2) The purpose of the preliminary hearing shall be limited to determining the following:
(A) Whether or not the specification alleges an offense under this chapter.
(B) Whether or not there is probable cause to believe that the accused committed the offense charged.
(C) Whether or not the convening authority has court-martial jurisdiction over the accused and ove
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 10 U.S.C. § 832
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
### Statutory Notes
Section 611, act May 5, 1950, ch. 169, § 1, 64 Stat. 120, authorized President to prescribe rules. See [section 836 of Title 10](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section836&num=0&edition=prelim), Armed Forces.
Section 612, act May 5, 1950, ch. 169, § 1, 64 Stat. 120, related to unlawfully influencing action of court. See [section 837 of Title 10](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section837&num=0&edition=prelim).
Section 613, act May 5, 1950, ch. 169, § 1, 64 Stat. 120, provided for duties of trial counsel and defense counsel. See [section 838 of Title 10](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section838&num=0&edition=prelim).
Section 614, act May 5, 1950, ch. 169, § 1, 64 Stat. 121, related to sessions of the courts-martial. See [section 839 of Title 10](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section839&num=0&edition=prelim).
Section 615, act May 5, 1950, ch. 169, § 1, 64 Stat. 121, provided for continuances. See [section 840 of Title 10](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section840&num=0&edition=prelim).
Section 616, act May 5, 1950, ch. 169, § 1, 64 Stat. 121, provided for challenges. See [section 841 of Title 10](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section841&num=0&edition=prelim).
Section 617, act May 5, 1950, ch. 169, § 1, 64 Stat. 121, related to oaths. See [section 842 of Title 10](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section842&num=0&edition=prelim).
Section 618, act May 5, 1950, ch. 169, § 1, 64 Stat. 121, related to statutes of limitation. See [section 843 of Title 10](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 50 U.S.C. § 611 to 629
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
Page 754
TITLE 10—ARMED FORCES
§ 838
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised
section
Source (U.S. Code)
Source (Statutes at Large)
837 ..........
50:612.
May 5, 1950, ch. 169, § 1
(Art. 37), 64 Stat. 120.
The word ‘‘may’’ is substituted for the word ‘‘shall’’.
Editorial Notes
AMENDMENTS
2019—Pub. L. 116–92, § 532(a)(1), substituted ‘‘Command
influence’’ for ‘‘Unlawfully influencing action of court’’
in section catchline.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 116–92, § 532(a)(2), amended subsec.
(a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) read as
follows: ‘‘No authority convening a general, special, or
summary court-martial, nor any other commanding of-
ficer, may censure, reprimand, or admonish the court
or any member, military judge, or counsel thereof, with
respect to the findings or sentence adjudged by the
court, or with respect to any other exercise of its or his
functions in the conduct of the proceeding. No person
subject to this chapter may attempt to coerce or, by
any unauthorized means, influence the action of a
court-martial or any other military tribunal or any
member thereof, in reaching the findings or sentence in
any case, or the action of any convening, approving, or
reviewing authority with respect to his judicial acts.
The foregoing provisions of the subsection shall not
apply with respect to (1) general instructional or infor-
mational courses in military justice if such courses are
designed solely for the purpose of instructing members
of a command in the substantive and procedural as-
pects of courts-martial, or (2) to statements and in-
structions given in open court by the military judge,
president of a special court-martial, or counsel.’’
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–92, § 532(a)(3), substituted ‘‘ad-
vanced in grade’’ for ‘‘advanced,
Source: Supplied 2024 U.S. Code historical extraction · 10 U.S.C. § 838
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