Up to how much of the panel can the CA excuse?

• A. The entire panel
• B. Half the panel
• C. One third of the panel
• D. One member of the panel

Answer: (A)

The key idea is the Convening Authority’s broad power to excuse panel members from service on a court-martial. The CA can remove members for cause or convenience to protect fairness and the smooth operation of the trial, and there isn’t a fixed numerical limit on how many can be excused. That means, if necessary to ensure an impartial and workable proceeding, the CA can excuse the entire panel and then reconstitute a new panel or adjust the plan to proceed with the proper number of qualified members. This is why the option stating the entire panel is the best choice. The other options imply limits that the CA’s authority does not impose in principle, even though excusing smaller numbers can and does happen in appropriate situations.