Summary of changes

R.C.M. 1304 — Trial procedure

The text as it stood in the last Manual for Courts-Martial edition beside the current text, provision by provision, with every recorded amendment and the authority behind it — the whole R.C.M. in one view.

5 amended 1 added 0 removed 55 unchanged 6 authority-backed edits · recorded 2026-07-14 – 2026-07-14

Authorities behind these changes
Showing changed provisions only.
Show all provisions
Provisions
1304(b)(1)(M) amended
Version history
Original text
The maximum sentence which the summary court-martial may adjudge if the accused is found guilty of the offense or offenses alleged; and
Current text
The maximum sentence that the summary court-martial may adjudge if the accused is found guilty of the offense or offenses alleged;
All changes since the original (removed / added)
The maximum sentence whichthat the summary court-martial may adjudge if the accused is found guilty of the offense or offenses alleged; and
Step-by-step: 1 recorded edit
VersionDateAuthorityNoteEditor
v2 2026-07-14 Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024) (Executive Order, eff. 2024-12-20) Section 1. Part II of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, is amended as follows: . . . (kk) R.C.M. 1304(b)(1)(M) is amended to read as follows: "(M) The maximum sentence that the summary court-martial may adjudge if the accused is found guilty of the offense or offenses alleged;" admin
The maximum sentence whichthat the summary court-martial may adjudge if the accused is found guilty of the offense or offenses alleged; and
1304(b)(1)(N) amended
Version history
Original text
The accused’s right to object to trial by summary court-martial.
Current text
The accused's right to object to trial by summary court-martial; and
All changes since the original (removed / added)
The accused’saccused's right to object to trial by summary court-martial.court-martial; and
Step-by-step: 1 recorded edit
VersionDateAuthorityNoteEditor
v2 2026-07-14 Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024) (Executive Order, eff. 2024-12-20) Section 1. Part II of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, is amended as follows: . . . (ll) R.C.M. 1304(b)(1)(N) is amended to read as follows: "(N) The accused's right to object to trial by summary court-martial; and". admin
The accused’saccused's right to object to trial by summary court-martial.court-martial; and
1304(b)(1)(O) added since original
Version history
Original text
Not in the original text — this provision was added later.
Current text
Unless waived by the accused, the accused's right to have detailed defense counsel present during the summary court-martial proceeding.
All changes since the original (removed / added)
Unless waived by the accused, the accused's right to have detailed defense counsel present during the summary court-martial proceeding.
Step-by-step: 1 recorded edit
VersionDateAuthorityNoteEditor
v1 2026-07-14 Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024) (Executive Order, eff. 2024-12-20) Section 1. Part II of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, is amended as follows: . . . (mm) A new R.C.M. 1304(b)(1)(O) is inserted immediately after R.C.M. 1304(b)(1)(N) to read as follows: "(O) Unless waived by the accused, the accused's right to have detailed defense counsel present during the summary court-martial proceeding." admin
Unless waived by the accused, the accused's right to have detailed defense counsel present during the summary court-martial proceeding.
1304(b)(2)(B) amended text identical
Version history
Original text
Presence of defense counsel.
Current text
Presence of defense counsel.
Step-by-step: 1 recorded edit
VersionDateAuthorityNoteEditor
v2 2026-07-14 Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024) (Executive Order, eff. 2024-12-20) Section 1. Part II of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, is amended as follows: . . . (kk) R.C.M. 1304(b)(1)(M) is amended to read as follows: "(M) The maximum sentence that the summary court-martial may adjudge if the accused is found guilty of the offense or offenses alleged;" (ll) R.C.M. 1304(b)(1)(N) is amended to read as follows: "(N) The accused's right to object to trial by summary court-martial; and". (mm) A new R.C.M. 1304(b)(1)(O) is inserted immediately after R.C.M. 1304(b)(1)(N) to read as follows: "(O) Unless waived by the accused, the accused's right to have detailed defense counsel present during the summary court-martial proceeding." (nn) R.C.M. 1304(b)(2)(B) through (F) are redesignated as R.C.M. 1304(b)(2)(C) through (G). (oo) A new R.C.M. 1304(b)(2)(B) is inserted immediately after R.C.M. 1304(b)(2)(A) to read as follows: "(B) Presence of defense counsel. (i) If the accused waives the right to have defense counsel present during the summary court-martial proceeding, the summary court-martial shall inquire into whether the waiver is knowing and voluntary. (ii) Presence of defense counsel may be accomplished via remote means through the use of audiovisual technology only if the accused consents to the presence of counsel by remote means and there is the opportunity for confidential consultation with defense counsel during the summary court-martial proceeding." admin
1304(b)(2)(B)(i) amended text identical
Version history
Original text
If the accused waives the right to have defense counsel present during the summary court-martial proceeding, the summary court-martial shall inquire into whether the waiver is knowing and voluntary.
Current text
If the accused waives the right to have defense counsel present during the summary court-martial proceeding, the summary court-martial shall inquire into whether the waiver is knowing and voluntary.
Step-by-step: 1 recorded edit
VersionDateAuthorityNoteEditor
v2 2026-07-14 Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024) (Executive Order, eff. 2024-12-20) Section 1. Part II of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, is amended as follows: . . . (kk) R.C.M. 1304(b)(1)(M) is amended to read as follows: "(M) The maximum sentence that the summary court-martial may adjudge if the accused is found guilty of the offense or offenses alleged;" (ll) R.C.M. 1304(b)(1)(N) is amended to read as follows: "(N) The accused's right to object to trial by summary court-martial; and". (mm) A new R.C.M. 1304(b)(1)(O) is inserted immediately after R.C.M. 1304(b)(1)(N) to read as follows: "(O) Unless waived by the accused, the accused's right to have detailed defense counsel present during the summary court-martial proceeding." (nn) R.C.M. 1304(b)(2)(B) through (F) are redesignated as R.C.M. 1304(b)(2)(C) through (G). (oo) A new R.C.M. 1304(b)(2)(B) is inserted immediately after R.C.M. 1304(b)(2)(A) to read as follows: "(B) Presence of defense counsel. (i) If the accused waives the right to have defense counsel present during the summary court-martial proceeding, the summary court-martial shall inquire into whether the waiver is knowing and voluntary. (ii) Presence of defense counsel may be accomplished via remote means through the use of audiovisual technology only if the accused consents to the presence of counsel by remote means and there is the opportunity for confidential consultation with defense counsel during the summary court-martial proceeding." admin
1304(b)(2)(B)(ii) amended text identical
Version history
Original text
Presence of defense counsel may be accomplished via remote means through the use of audiovisual technology only if the accused consents to the presence of counsel by remote means and there is the opportunity for confidential consultation with defense counsel during the summary court-martial proceeding.
Current text
Presence of defense counsel may be accomplished via remote means through the use of audiovisual technology only if the accused consents to the presence of counsel by remote means and there is the opportunity for confidential consultation with defense counsel during the summary court-martial proceeding.
Step-by-step: 1 recorded edit
VersionDateAuthorityNoteEditor
v2 2026-07-14 Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024) (Executive Order, eff. 2024-12-20) admin

“Original text” is the state captured the first time a provision was edited under change tracking — i.e. the text as published in the last Manual for Courts-Martial edition. Provisions edited without being “marked as changed” (typos, formatting) are not recorded here; see the recent revisions feed and the site-wide changes log.