WARNING! This article contains MAJOR spoilers for the recently released novel Collateral Damage. Caution is advised.
See Court Martial for the Original Series episode.

A court martial was a judicial proceeding in military organizations, such as the United Federation of Planets Starfleet used to try criminal offenses committed by members of the organization.

Courts martial were called in order to examine the conduct of a Starfleet Captain when a starship is lost. (Note: Lost refers to literal "misplacement" of the starship, when it has been abandoned and its destruction cannot be confirmed.) (TNG novel: The Buried Age).

Courts martials could be arranged by the Starfleet Judge Advocate General or by a Flag Officer commanding a starbase. (TOS episode: "Court Martial")

An article thirty-two hearing was often held to determine if sufficient cause existed to file formal charges and hold a court martial against a member of Starfleet. (TNG novel: Collateral Damage)

Court martialsEdit

In 2267, James T. Kirk was charged by Commodore Stone in the disappearance of Lieutenant Commander Benjamin Finney. (TOS episode: "Court Martial")

In 2269, Janice Lester (while inhabiting Kirk's body) declared Spock and Lester (actually Kirk inhabiuting her body) mutineers and had a summary court martial in which they, alongside Leonard McCoy and Montgomery Scott, were sentenced to death. This order was never carried out. (TOS episode: "Turnabout Intruder")

In 2355, Jean-Luc Picard was court martialed for losing the USS Stargazer. (TNG novel: The Buried Age)

In 2364, Picard wished to have Captain Lucius Sejanus court martialed, but Sejanus escaped custody before that could happen. (TNG novel: The Captains' Honor)

After Section 31 was exposed to the public and knowledge of the forced removal of Min Zife became public knowledge, Captain Picard returned to Earth to subject himself to legal process for his role in Zife's removal from office. An article 32 hearing was held to determine if Picard should be court martialed, however after reviewing evidence and testimony the presiding Admiral Marin Liu recommended that Picard not face a court martial. Liu did however enter a reprimand in Picard's record that ended any possibility of further promotion for him. (TNG novel: Collateral Damage)

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