Title 10Armed ForcesRelease 119-73

§949p–7 Introduction of classified information into evidence

Title 10 › Subtitle Subtitle A— - General Military Law › Part PART II— - PERSONNEL › Chapter CHAPTER 47A— - MILITARY COMMISSIONS › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER V— - CLASSIFIED INFORMATION PROCEDURES › § 949p–7

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Classified writings, recordings, and photos can be used as evidence in military commission trials without changing their classification. The military judge can admit only parts of those items or allow them with the classified parts cut out, unless the whole item is needed to be fair. Classified evidence may stay sealed during the trial, and the judge can keep exhibits sealed after trial if a knowledgeable U.S. official explains in writing how disclosure would harm national security. If a question might force a witness to reveal classified information, the trial counsel can object and the military judge must act to protect the information. The judge may ask each side to give a private summary (a proffer) of the answer sought or offered, and may accept ex parte proffers under the Classified Information Procedures Act (18 U.S.C. App.). After the government’s witness finishes direct testimony, the accused may ask for the witness’s related prior statements. The government may show those statements to the judge privately if it claims privilege. If the judge finds parts are classified, match the testimony, and are not needed for a fair trial, the judge must remove them; if not, the judge must consider alternatives under section 949p–6(d).

Full Legal Text

Title 10, §949p–7

Armed Forces — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Writings, recordings, and photographs containing classified information may be admitted into evidence in proceedings of military commissions under this chapter without change in their classification status.
(b)(1)The military judge in a trial by military commission, in order to prevent unnecessary disclosure of classified information, may order admission into evidence of only part of a writing, recording, or photograph, or may order admission into evidence of the whole writing, recording, or photograph with excision of some or all of the classified information contained therein, unless the whole ought in fairness be considered.
(2)The military judge shall allow classified information offered or accepted into evidence to remain under seal during the trial, even if such evidence is disclosed in the military commission, and may, upon motion by the United States, seal exhibits containing classified information for any period after trial as necessary to prevent a disclosure of classified information when a knowledgeable United States official possessing authority to classify information submits to the military judge a declaration setting forth the damage to the national security that the disclosure of such information reasonably could be expected to cause.
(c)(1)During the examination of a witness, trial counsel may object to any question or line of inquiry that may require the witness to disclose classified information not previously found to be admissible.
(2)Following an objection under paragraph (1), the military judge shall take such suitable action to determine whether the response is admissible as will safeguard against the compromise of any classified information. Such action may include requiring trial counsel to provide the military judge with a proffer of the witness’ response to the question or line of inquiry and requiring the accused to provide the military judge with a proffer of the nature of the information sought to be elicited by the accused. Upon request, the military judge may accept an ex parte proffer by trial counsel to the extent necessary to protect classified information from disclosure, in accordance with the practice of the Federal courts under the Classified Information Procedures Act (18 U.S.C. App.).
(d)(1)After a witness called by the trial counsel has testified on direct examination, the military judge, on motion of the accused, may order production of statements of the witness in the possession of the United States which relate to the subject matter as to which the witness has testified. This paragraph does not preclude discovery or assertion of a privilege otherwise authorized.
(2)If the United States invokes a privilege, the trial counsel may provide the prior statements of the witness to the military judge during an ex parte presentation to the extent necessary to protect classified information from disclosure, in accordance with the practice of the Federal courts under the Classified Information Procedures Act (18 U.S.C. App.).
(3)If the military judge finds that disclosure of any portion of the statement identified by the United States as classified would be detrimental to the national security in the degree to warrant classification under the applicable Executive Order, statute, or regulation, that such portion of the statement is consistent with the testimony of the witness, and that the disclosure of such portion is not necessary to afford the accused a fair trial, the military judge shall excise that portion from the statement. If the military judge finds that such portion of the statement is inconsistent with the testimony of the witness or that its disclosure is necessary to afford the accused a fair trial, the military judge, shall, upon the request of the trial counsel, review alternatives to disclosure in accordance with section 949p–6(d) of this title.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Classified Information Procedures Act, referred to in subsecs. (c)(2) and (d)(2), is Pub. L. 96–456, Oct. 15, 1980, 94 Stat. 2025, which is set out in the Appendix to Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

10 U.S.C. § 949p–7

Title 10Armed Forces

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73