Chapter II · Jurisdiction

R.C.M. 203. Jurisdiction over the offense

2024 Manual for Courts-Martial, United States

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To the extent permitted by the Constitution, courts-martial may try any offense under the UCMJ and, in the case of general courts-martial, the law of war.
Discussion
(a) In general . Courts-martial have power to try any offense under the UCMJ except when prohibited from so doing by the Constitution. The rule enunciated in Solorio v. United States , 483 U.S. 435 (1987), is that jurisdiction of courts-martial depends solely on the accused’s status as a person subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and not on the “service-connection” of the offense charged. (b) Pleading and proof . Normally, the inclusion of the accused’s rank or grade will be sufficient to plead the service status of the accused. Ordinarily, no allegation of the accused’s armed force or unit is necessary for military members on active duty. See R.C.M. 307 regarding required specificity of pleadings. For jurisdictional punishment limitations applicable for specific types of courts-martial, see R.C.M. 201(f).