Fort Leavenworth mock trial offers inside look at legal process

FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kansas - Understanding the military justice system can be daunting for both service members and the general public. To bridge this knowledge gap, members of the 4th Circuit Army Office of Special Trial Counsel and the Fort Leavenworth Office of the Staff Judge Advocate provided a transparent, step-by-step look into the military justice process during a mock-trial May 21, 2026, in DePuy Auditorium at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

The mock trial simulated a realistic and all too common scenario, an alcohol-facilitated sexual assault between two soldiers.

The educational exercise began at the very inception of a military criminal case: the "preferral" of charges. During this phase, the audience learned how charges are sworn and how a commander formally notifies a soldier of the accusations against him/her.

The simulation then guided attendees through the subsequent phases, including the Article 32 preliminary hearing, a crucial step to determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed, and the formal "referral" of charges to a court-martial.

Following the pre-trial procedures, volunteer participants acted out a condensed version of an actual court-martial. The audience watched the legal teams navigate Voir Dire, the process of questioning and selecting impartial panel members, which is a jury in the civilian legal system.

The mock trial then proceeded through opening statements, the direct and cross-examination of both the victim and the accused, and concluded with brief closing arguments.

Tackling a grave topic like sexual assault in this format underscored the gravity of the proceedings and the meticulous nature of evidence examination in military courts. Additionally, this condensed version of a trial allowed the public to see all aspects of the process in a short period.

The event culminated in an interactive question-and-answer session, allowing the audience to engage directly with legal experts about the intricacies of the justice process.

This mock trial served as an essential educational tool. It not only clarified the distinct phases of a court-martial but also reinforced the system's commitment to fairness, accountability and the rule of law. By making these complex legal procedures accessible, such exercises build institutional trust and ensure personnel are fully aware of how justice is administered within the ranks.

The event was a collaboration between the Fort Leavenworth SHARP program, the Fort Leavenworth Office of the SJA and the Army OSTC.