Air Force Publishes Courts-Martial Schedule
The Office of the Judge Advocate General of the Air Force published their Air Force wide courts-martial schedule on line this last month. This approximately three month schedule shows the location, name, rank, and charges scheduled for courts-martial.
Transparency in Federal Law
The Air Force is leading the services in providing this information to the public. Military law, as outlined in 10 USC, is federal law, practiced globally by the military. Federal courts are open to the public showing transparency in the execution of federal law. The military justice system is no exception to this and has always had open courts. The issue has been centralizing the information so the members of the press and public could attend. Now the Air Force has remedied that by publishing their schedule beginning with September 2009.
Centralization of Military Court Case Schedules
It’s not a right of the accused, nor has DoD prohibited public attendance in military courts-martial in the past. The information can be found through public affairs of all the Services, but usually, only the local authorities at an installation are aware of their individual court cases. This step by the Air Force adds easy to find information and improves transparency to a process organized within military regions and fleets.
Promotes Understanding of Military Justice
Publishing the courts-martial schedule in advance, promotes a better understanding of the military justice system so the press and public can follow a specific case via the local installation or community press or attend in person.
Public Access Exceptions
The military courts have always been open to the press and public. The exception would be where a military judge excludes a portion of or specific testimony in the hearing where classified information is being discussed or for a specific reason such as protection of a vulnerable witness.
It has a whole lot more info on it.