Texas Government Code 432.064 – Sessions
(a) At any time after the service of charges that have been referred for trial to a court-martial composed of a military judge and members, the military judge, subject to § 432.056, may call the court into session without the presence of the members for the purpose of:
(1) hearing and determining motions raising defenses or objections that are capable of determination without trial of the issues raised by a plea of not guilty;
(2) hearing and ruling on matters that may be ruled on by the military judge under this chapter, whether or not the matter is appropriate for later consideration or decision by the members of the court;
(3) holding the arraignment and receiving the pleas of the accused if permitted by regulations of the governor; and
(4) performing any other procedural function that may be performed by the military judge under this chapter or under rules prescribed pursuant to § 432.061 and that does not require the presence of the members of the court.
(b) Proceedings under this section shall be conducted in the presence of the accused, the defense counsel, and the trial counsel and shall be made a part of the record.
Terms Used In Texas Government Code 432.064
- Arraignment: A proceeding in which an individual who is accused of committing a crime is brought into court, told of the charges, and asked to plead guilty or not guilty.
- Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(c) When the members of a court-martial deliberate or vote, only the members may be present. All other proceedings, including any other consultation of the members of the court with counsel or the military judge, shall be made a part of the record and shall be in the presence of the accused, the defense counsel, the trial counsel, and in cases in which a military judge has been detailed to the court, the military judge.