Defending Those Who Defend Us®
Referral occurs when the Commanding Officer/General (also known as the Convening Authority) orders that preferred charges be tried by a specified court-martial. Charges may be referred to a Summary, Special, or General Court-Martial. Before referral of charges can occur, the Convening Authority must determine that probable cause exists to believe that an offense triable by court-martial has been committed, that the accused committed it, and that the specification alleges an offense.