Who retains the ultimate decision about evidence strategy?

• A. Judge
• B. Prosecutor
• C. Defense counsel
• D. Trial counsel

Answer: (D)

The person who controls how evidence is presented in a court-martial is the trial counsel. As the government's lead advocate in the case, the trial counsel designs the evidentiary plan, decides which witnesses and exhibits to use, and structures the narrative in a way that best proves the elements of the offense while staying within the rules of evidence. The judge acts as the gatekeeper, ruling on objections and what’s admissible, but does not dictate the overall strategy. Defense counsel can challenge and influence the approach, but final decisions about the evidentiary strategy rest with the trial counsel, who carries the primary responsibility for presenting the government's case.