5503 - Who may convene summary courts-martial.
§ 5503. Who may convene summary courts-martial. (a) General rule.--In the State military forces any person authorized to convene a general or special court-martial, the commanding officer of a garrison, fort, post, camp, station, air base, auxiliary air base, or other place where troops are on duty, or of a brigade, regiment, wing, group, separate battalion, separate squadron, or other detached command, may convene a summary court-martial. (b) Commissioned officer or superior authority.--When only one commissioned officer is present with a command or detachment he shall be the summary court-martial of that command or detachment and shall hear and determine all summary court- martial cases brought before him. Summary courts-martial may, however, be convened in any case by superior competent authority when considered desirable by him.