Rhode Island § 30-13-6 - Rhode Island Code of Military Justice

§ 30-13-6. Judge advocates and legal officers.

(a) The governor, on the recommendation of the adjutant general, shall appoint an officer of the state military forces as state judge advocate. To be eligible for appointment, an officer must be a member of the bar of the highest court of the state and must have been a member of the bar of the state for at least five (5) years.

(b) The adjutant general may appoint as many assistant state judge advocates as he or she considers necessary. To be eligible for appointment, assistant state judge advocates must be officers of the state military forces and members of the bar of the highest court of the state.

(c) The state judge advocate, or his or her assistants, shall make frequent inspections in the field in the supervision of the administration of military justice.

(d) A person punished under this section who considers his or her punishment unjust or disproportionate to the offense may, through the proper channel, appeal to the next superior authority. The appeal shall be promptly forwarded and decided and the person to be punished shall not be required to undergo the punishment adjudged until affirmed or modified by the next superior authority. The officer who imposes the punishment, the officer’s successor in command, and the officer’s superior authority may suspend, set aside, or remit any part or amount of the punishment and restore all rights, privileges, and property affected.

(e) No person who has acted as a member, law officer, trial counsel, assistant defense counsel, or investigating officer, or who has been a witness for either the prosecution or defense in any case, may later act as staff judge advocate or legal officer to any reviewing authority upon the same case.