COMDTINST M5810.1H governs Coast Guard policies, regulations, and procedures for administering military justice.
View COMDTINST M5810.1H on armypubs.army.mil
The publication addresses charges and specifications, nonjudicial punishment, court-martial review, and public access to court-martial records. It requires uniform data collection, specified records handling, and redaction practices for filings and court records.
Applies to: All Coast Guard unit commanders, commanding officers, officers-in-charge, deputy/assistant commandants, and chiefs of headquarters staff elements shall comply with the provisions of this Manual.
Major changes or amendments to a charge and/or specification cannot be made over the objection of the accused, unless the charge and/or specification affected are preferred anew. (paragraph 7)
An unauthorized absence by a member serving NJP interrupts the service of that punishment and automatically defers continued service of that punishment. (paragraph 6)
The commanding officer may defer the execution of an unsuspended punishment if the commanding officer grants the member emergency leave. (paragraph 5)
Trial counsel, defense counsel, and special victims’ counsel shall minimize the use of PII and information exempt from release, as provided in this manual, to the maximum extent possible in all filings and court records. (paragraph 1)
All trial court dockets must include the following information concerning each docketed case: (a) name of the case; (b) location of the hearing; (c) forum (e.g., GCM or SPCM); (d) type of hearing (e.g., arraignment, Article 39(a), or trial); (e) the charges referred to the court-martial; and (f) when appropriate, the military judge presiding over the hearing and the lead trial counsel and defense counsel assigned to the case. (paragraph 3)