Final answer:
The three types of court-martials are Summary Court-Martial, Special Court-Martial, and General Court-Martial, each escalating in the seriousness of offenses handled and the severity of potential punishments within the military judicial system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three types of court-martials are:
- Summary Court-Martial: Handles minor offenses for enlisted personnel, with penalties being more limited than the other types of court-martial.
- Special Court-Martial: For intermediate-level offenses, with a military judge and at least three members, similar to a civilian criminal court, but for military personnel.
- General Court-Martial: The most serious level of military courts, handling the most severe offenses, with more extensive procedures and the ability to impose the most severe punishments, including death, if allowed under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).
These military judicial processes are separate from civilian judicial systems and have distinct functions and rules that are governed by the UCMJ.