Note that double lines are drawn under CHARGE, single line under SPECIFICATION. GENERAL REMARKS: The three (3) Courts Martial are alike in the following: (a) Composed only of officers of Army or Marine Corps on detached service with the Army by order of the President. (b) Pass upon both law and fact. (c) Criminal Courts only. (d) Unable to promulgate any finding that does not require approval of appointing authority. The three (3) Courts Martial differ in the following: (a) Number of members. (b) Appointing authority. (c) Punishments. ARTICLE 31. ORDER OF VOTING: Members in General or Special Courts Martial shall vote from junior to senior. ARTICLE 39. LIMITATIONS UPON PROSECUTIONS: Military offences fall into three (3) groups: (1) War desertion, mutiny, murder. Have no limitations. (2) Burglary, etc. (A W. 93) and frauds against Government (A.W. 94). Prosecution limited to 3 years. (3) All other offences. 2 years. In some cases the Statute of Limitations is suspended (A.W. 39), especially in cases of absence from the United States. * * * * * The following Articles of War are the important ones for officers to be acquainted with in the ordinary course of his duties: ARTICLE 54. FRAUDULENT ENLISTMENT: Punishment: Court Martial. "Any person procuring himself to be enlisted by means of willful misrepresentation or concealment as to his qualifications for enlistment and shall receive pay or allowance," ... This offense requires two (2) steps: (1) Misrepresentation or concealment. (2) Receiving pay or allowances. ARTICLE 58. DESERTION: Punishment: (Wartime) Death or Court Martial. (Peacetime) Court Martial. "Any person--who deserts or attempts to desert in time of War ... death or such other punishment as the court martial may direct ... any other time any punishment except death." Essential features are: (1) An intent not to return. (2) An overt act of separation from duty. Drunkenness tends to show absence of the intent. Minority is no defense. Enlistment while in desertion does not remove the charge of desertion. ARTICLE 61. ABSENCE WITHOUT LEAVE: Punishment: Court Martial. "Any person who fails to repair at the fixed time to duty, or goes from same without leave of absence, or absents himself from his command, guard, quarters, station or camp without proper leave...." Does not require to prove intent, yet persons ignorant of military law, drunk or victims of mistake are dealt with gently. ARTICLE 62. DISRESPECT TOWARD PRESIDENT, VICE-PRESIDENT, CONGRESS, SECRETARY OF WAR, GOVERNORS, LEGISLATURES: Punishment: (Officer) Dismissal from the service, (Soldier) Court martial.