The time between the alleged crime taking place and receiving the final verdict and sentence depends on what type of court martial you’re going through. A summary court martial can generally be completed in as little as a week. However, if your attorney attempts to make a deal on your behalf, you could end up waiting about 60 days for the verdict. A special court martial usually wraps up within three to six months. It may take more time if your attorney recommends using a military panel instead of the military judge alone. A general court martial doesn’t begin immediately. Instead, an Article 32 hearing, also known as a probable cause proceeding, takes place first. If the investigating officer determines that there’s sufficient evidence, the case will move forward. In all, the process takes around six months to a year.