# Public Safety (GPS)

## Title 13A. Maryland Code of Military Justice

### Subtitle 5. Appointment and Composition of Courts-martial

#### Section 13A-505

(a)

  (1) A military judge shall be detailed to each general and special court-martial by the senior military judge in the State.

  (2) The military judge shall preside over each open session of the court-martial to which the military judge has been detailed.

(b) A military judge shall be:

  (1) an active or retired commissioned officer of an organized state military force;

  (2) a member in good standing of the bar of the Court of Appeals of Maryland; and

  (3) certified as qualified for duty as a military judge by the senior force judge advocate that is the same force as the accused.

(c) The convening authority or a staff member of the convening authority may not prepare or review a report concerning the effectiveness, fitness, or efficiency of the military judge so detailed, which relates to performance of duty as a military judge.

(d) A person is not eligible to act as military judge in a case if the person is the accuser or a witness, or has acted as investigating officer or a counsel in the same case.

(e) The military judge of a court-martial may not:

  (1) consult with the members of the court except in the presence of the accused, trial counsel, and defense counsel; or

  (2) vote with the members of the court.

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Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)