I The attorneys presented their cases, the wit-nesses told their stories, and the jury weighed the evidence. Then it hit me: this is for real. I can't recall how many times I have seen trials on TV or in the movies. There's always an accused person who must face fate as the prosecution and defense each present their sides of the story. There is always that lingering question as to which side is right or wrong. Will justice prevail? I know in less than an hour I'll know the outcome. After that, I'll go on with my life. It's not real: it's fiction. The people I saw on screen will go on to star in other television shows or movies. When someone is on trial in an Air Force court-room, it's for real. Decisions made effect careers and lives. Whereas everyone else in the courtroom can go home, it's serious business for the accused. That individual must live with decisions made in that trial for the rest of his or her life. The whole world of the accused is in limbo until a decision is made. Will he/ she be able to continue his career? Can he resume having a normal life? That individual has lost control over his own life. In the meantime, I wonder about the family of the accused. Would mom be proud? Does he have a spouse or children that depend on him? How will they be affected by the outcome? If the accused is guilty, why did he do it? Is there anything he thought he could have gained? Was it
Attend as the viewer, not the accused Court Martials:
worth a career? A life? If he's innocent, how could this happen? Will he always have to prove himself because he was falsely accused? Could someone else's error or carelessness on his own part have landed him in court? I thought about others as well. The
JAGs, the wit-nesses and the jury. All play a role in deciding the fate of one person. The military justice system expends a lot of time and effort on the account of all these people to ensure the accused gets a fair trial. I thought about how the JAGs have an awesome responsibility. Their arguments will help determine the fate of that individual. The ramifications of the trial can spread from the individual to his family to his hometown. They must ensure this individual gets a fair trial. They know the consequences. The witnesses put their integrity and credibility on the line. Sometimes they must even reveal embarrass-ing or private information. They know the whole time that it's ultimately their testimony that helps the jury make a decision. Finally, I did not envy the jury. They have the ultimate decision about the fate of the accused. Under different circumstances their lives may have depended on the accused. What a decision to make! In the end, it is truly amazing how it only takes one mindless act to affect the rest of your life. My eyes were definitely opened by watching how the system works. A court martial is something that every Air Force member should see, but never as the accused! 1