A Bill: Military Sex Crimes
A Senate bill would make sweeping changes to the way the military handles sexual assaults
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Senate Bill 967 The Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013
The Essentials
1. This short piece of legislation makes sweeping changes to the way the armed forces handles sexual assaults. Under military laws that date back 200 years, the commanders of an alleged victim decide whether to press charges in a military court; choose a jury to hear the case; and later have the authority to overturn sentences. The bill would put the decision to prosecute into the hands of independent military lawyers and strip commanders of the power to set aside guilty verdicts.