§949p–2 Pretrial Conference

Summary

Any time after charges are served, either side can ask for a pretrial conference to deal with classified information. The military judge must quickly hold the conference after a request or on the judge’s own motion. If needed to protect secrets, the judge must hold part of the meeting with only one side present, following federal practice under the Classified Information Procedures Act (18 U.S.C. App.). At the conference the military judge will set deadlines for discovery, the notice required under section 949p–5, and the start of the process in section 949p–6. The judge can also handle other classified issues or anything that helps a fair, speedy trial. Any admission by the accused or their lawyer at the conference cannot be used against the accused unless it is written and signed by both.