Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Chapter 57 - Trial Procedure
Section 5704 - Sessions

(a) Proceedings in absence of members.--At any time after the service of charges which have been referred for trial to a court-martial composed of a military judge and members, the military judge may, subject to section 5606 (relating to service of charges), call the court into session without the presence of the members for the purpose of:
(1) hearing and determining motions raising defenses or objections which are capable of determination without trial of the issues raised by a plea of not guilty;
(2) hearing and ruling upon any matter which may be ruled upon by the military judge under this section, whether or not the matter is appropriate for later consideration or decision by the members of the court;
(3) holding the arraignment and receiving the pleas of the accused; and
(4) performing any other procedural function which may be performed by the military judge under this part or under rules prescribed pursuant to section 5701 (relating to Governor and department may prescribe rules) and which does not require the presence of the members of the court.
These proceedings shall be conducted in the presence of the accused, the defense counsel and the trial counsel and shall be made a part of the record. These proceedings may be conducted notwithstanding the number of court members and without regard to the provisions of section 5508 (relating to absent and additional members).
(b) Other proceedings.--When the members of a court-martial deliberate or vote, only the members may be present. All other proceedings, including any other consultation of the court with counsel or the military judge, shall be made a part of the record and shall be in the presence of the accused, the defense counsel, the trial counsel and the military judge.

Cross References. Section 5704 is referred to in section 5504 of this title.

Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes