(a) No member of a general or special court-martial may be absent or excused after the court has been assembled for the trial of the accused unless excused as a result of a challenge, excused by the military judge for physical disability or other good cause, or excused by order of the convening authority for good cause.
(b) Whenever a general court-martial, other than a general court-martial composed of a military judge only, is reduced below five members, the trial may not proceed unless the convening authority details new members sufficient in number to provide not less than the applicable minimum number of five members. The trial may proceed with the new members present after the recorded evidence previously introduced before the members of the court has been read to the court in the presence of the military judge, the accused, and counsel for both sides.
(c) Whenever a special court-martial, other than a special court-martial composed of a military judge only, is reduced below three members, the trial may not proceed unless the convening authority details new members sufficient in number to provide not less than three members. The trial shall proceed with the new members present as if no evidence had been introduced previously at the trial, unless a verbatim record of the evidence previously introduced before the members of the court or a stipulation thereof is read to the court in the presence of the military judge, the accused, and counsel for both sides.
(d) If the military judge of a court-martial composed of a military judge only is unable to proceed with the trial because of physical disability, as a result of a challenge, or for other good cause, the trial shall proceed, subject to any applicable conditions of Section 31-2A-16(1)b. or (2)b. (Article 16(1)b. or (2)b.), after the detail of a new military judge as if no evidence had previously been introduced, unless a verbatim record of the evidence previously introduced or a stipulation thereof is read in court in the presence of the new military judge, the accused, and counsel for both sides.
Structure Code of Alabama
Title 31 - Military Affairs and Civil Defense.
Chapter 2A - Military Justice.
Part V - Appointment and Composition of Courts-Martial.
Section 31-2A-22 - (Article 22.) Who May Convene General Courts-Martial.
Section 31-2A-23 - (Article 23.) Who May Convene Special Courts-Martial.
Section 31-2A-24 - (Article 24.) Who May Convene Summary Court-Martial.
Section 31-2A-25 - (Article 25.) Who May Serve on Courts-Martial.
Section 31-2A-26 - (Article 26.) Military Judge of a General or Special Court-Martial.
Section 31-2A-27 - (Article 27.) Detail of Trial Counsel and Defense Counsel.
Section 31-2A-28 - (Article 28.) Detail or Employment of Reporters and Interpreters.
Section 31-2A-29 - (Article 29.) Absent and Additional Members.