Which article in the UCMJ allows for a military judge to preside over a trial?

The correct article that allows for a military judge to preside over a trial is Article 31 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Article 31 provides service members the right against self-incrimination and establishes the procedural rules for interrogations, ensuring that any statements made by a service member during the investigation cannot be used against them unless certain conditions are met.

While Article 31 may primarily relate to rights during investigations, its relevance to trial proceedings arises in the broader context of military justice, where a military judge plays a key role in ensuring fair and lawful conduct of trials. In the military judicial system, judges oversee court-martials, ensuring that the process adheres to UCMJ regulations. Thus, Article 31's implications influence how a military judge operates during a trial, emphasizing the importance of due process and safeguarding the rights of accused service members.

The other articles mentioned do not specifically pertain to the role of military judges in trials. Article 15 deals with non-judicial punishment, rather than trial procedures, and Article 91 addresses insubordinate conduct toward a non-commissioned officer, which is unrelated to trial presiding authority. The option stating "none, only jury trials" is misleading because