A court-martial is a military court. They are empowered to determine the guilt of members from each branch of the U.S. armed forces subject to military law, and, if the defendant is found guilty, to decide upon punishment. In addition, courts-martial may be used to try Prisoners of War for War Crimes. The Geneva Convention requires that P.O.W.s who are on trial for war crimes be subject to the same procedures as would be the holding military's own forces.
In the Series
- Lieutenant Catherine Rollins risked of being Court-Martial for helping Lieutenant Commander Steven McGarrett with a civilian situation.[1]
- Commanding Officer Joe White was Court-Martial and forced into early retirement for using military forces and aircraft for personal use.[2] (Rescuing Steve McGarrett from North Korea.)[3]
- Commander Steven McGarrett was given a stern warning, and told he would be Court-Martial if he went on any more dangerous, off-the-books missions anymore after being rescued from Afghanistan after being captured by the Taliban and almost beheaded.[4]
- Commander Steven McGarrett was not Court-Martial due to the fact that he and Catherine Rollins had entered the country as civilians without any intentions of using military equipment or information. However, after being attacked and resulted in Steve's capture, his military rank was discovered. Even after severe torture, and the threat of death, he did not revealed any military secrets or information. The last part of his torture and execution was being recorded by camera, to which the military had gained access. Steve was rescued by his fellow Navy SEAL teammates seconds before his own decapitation.[4]