Defending Those Who Defend Us®
Pursuant to the Rules for Courts-Martial, a Commanding Officer/General may order a servicemember under his charge into pre-trial confinement. When this occurs, an Initial Review Officer (IRO) must conduct a hearing within seven days of the beginning of confinement to determine whether probable cause exists to believe the servicemember committed the alleged crime, and whether reasonable grounds exist that require further confinement. It is important to note that when a servicemember is placed in pre-trial confinement, he or she retains the absolute right to civilian counsel, as well as to request a detailed military counsel.