The three types of courts martial have slight procedural differences and dole out different punishments. A summary court martial hears the cases of enlisted members who are accused of committing minor offenses. A special court martial is considered a misdemeanor court for trying mid-level offenses. A general court martial is characterized as a felony court, making it the most serious of the three military courts. For less serious transgressions, such as breaches of military etiquette and regulations, a non-judicial punishment (NDP) may be held instead of a court martial.