Ohio Code 5924.32 – Investigation
(A) No charge or specification may be referred to a general court-martial for trial until a thorough and impartial investigation of all the matters set forth in the charge or specification has been made. This investigation shall include inquiry as to the truth of the matter set forth in the charges, consideration of the form of charges, and a recommendation as to the disposition that should be made of the case in the interest of justice and discipline.
Terms Used In Ohio Code 5924.32
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(B) The accused shall be advised of the charges against the accused and of the accused’s right to be represented at that investigation by counsel. Upon the accused’s own request, the accused shall be represented by civilian counsel if provided by the accused at the accused’s own cost, or by military counsel of the accused’s own selection if such counsel is reasonably available, or by counsel detailed by the officer exercising general court-martial jurisdiction over the command. At that investigation full opportunity shall be given to the accused to cross-examine witnesses against the accused if they are available and to present anything the accused may desire in the accused’s own behalf, either in defense or mitigation, and the investigating officer shall examine reasonably available witnesses requested by the accused. If the charges are forwarded after the investigation, they shall be accompanied by a statement of the substance of the testimony taken on both sides, and a copy of that statement shall be given to the accused.
(C) If an investigation of the subject matter of an offense has been conducted before the accused is charged with the offense, and if the accused was present at the investigation and afforded the opportunities for representation, cross-examination, and presentation prescribed in division (B) of this section, no further investigation of that charge is necessary under this section unless it is demanded by the accused after the accused is informed of the charge. A demand for further investigation entitles the accused to recall witnesses for further cross-examination and to offer any new evidence in the accused’s own behalf.
(D) The requirements of this section are binding on all persons administering this code but failure to follow them does not divest a military court of jurisdiction.