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UCMJ

UCMJ is an acronym for the Uniform Code of Military Justice . The UCMJ is a collection of substantive and procedural laws enacted by Congress that regulate the conduct and legal procedures for U.S. Military Justice System .

The UCMJ was enacted in 1951 to create a uniform set of governing criminal laws across all U.S. military branches. The Military Justice System allows commanders discretion in deciding whether an offense by military personnel should be charged and how the personnel should be punished. The UCMJ applies to all active-duty military members, active Nation Guard and Reserve members, and military academy students. The UCMJ contains various articles which govern specific offenses and their subsequent legal procedures, such as burglary and investigations. 

See 10 U.S.C. Ch. 47 .

[Last reviewed in June of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team
] 

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