Massachusetts General Laws ch. 33A sec. 54 – Record of trial
Article 54. Record of trial.
Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws ch. 33A sec. 54
- Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- Reporter: Makes a record of court proceedings and prepares a transcript, and also publishes the court's opinions or decisions (in the courts of appeals).
- 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.
(a) Each general and special court-martial shall keep a separate record of the proceedings in each case brought before it, and the record shall be authenticated by the signature of the military judge. If the record cannot be authenticated by the military judge by reason of the military judge’s death, disability or absence, it shall be authenticated by the signature of the trial counsel or by that of a member, if the trial counsel is unable to authenticate it by reason of the trial counsel’s death, disability or absence. In a court-martial consisting of only a military judge, the record shall be authenticated by the court reporter under the same conditions that would impose such a duty on a member under this subsection.
(b)(1) A complete verbatim record of the proceedings and testimony shall be prepared in each general and special court-martial case resulting in a conviction; and
(2) in all other court-martial cases, the record shall contain such matters as may be prescribed by regulations.
(c) Each summary court-martial shall keep a separate record of the proceedings in each case and the record shall be authenticated in the manner as may be prescribed by regulations.
(d) A copy of the record of the proceedings of each general and special court-martial shall be given to the accused as soon as it is authenticated.