Guam § 63724 - Redress of Injuries to Property.

§ 63724. Redress of Injuries to Property.

(a) Whenever complaint is made to any commanding officer that willful damage has been done to the

property of any person or that his property has been wrongfully taken by members of the Guam military

forces, he may, subject to such regulations as the Adjutant General may prescribe, convene a board to

investigate the complaint. The board shall consist of from one to three commissioned officers, and for the

purpose of that investigation, it has the power to summon witnesses and examine them upon oath or

affirmation, to receive depositions or other documentary evidence, and to assess the damages sustained

against the responsible parties. The assessment of damages made by the board is subject to the approval of

the commanding officer, and in the amount approved by him shall be charged against the pay of the

offenders. The order of the commanding officer directing charges herein authorized is conclusive, except

as provided in subsection (c), on any disbursing officer for the payment by him to the injured parties of the

damages assessed and approved.

(b) If the offenders cannot be ascertained, but the organization or detachment to which they belong is

known, charges totaling the amount of damages assessed and approved may be made in such proportion as

may be considered just upon the individual members thereof who are shown to have been present at the

scene at the time the damages complained of were inflicted, as determined by the approved findings of the

board.

COL 2026-04-23

(c) Any person subject to this Code who is accused of causing willful damage to property has the right

to be represented by counsel, to summon witnesses in his behalf, and to cross-examine those appearing

against him. He has the right to appeal to the next higher commander.