Who receives a copy of the GCM pretrial advice?

• A. The DC and the ACC
• B. The Defense Counsel
• C. The Judge
• D. The SJA

Answer: (B)

In a General Court-Martial, pretrial advice is created by the Staff Judge Advocate to guide the convening authority on how to proceed with the case, including analysis of charges and possible dispositions. A copy of that advice is provided to the Defense Counsel so the defense can see the government’s view, understand what is being considered, and prepare an informed response, objections, or requests before any decision is made. This transparency helps protect the accused’s rights and ensures the defense can participate effectively in the process. The judge and the SJA have their own roles in the proceedings, but the formal copy of pretrial advice is specifically directed to the Defense Counsel to enable proper advocacy.