KRS 35.170: Advice of judge advocate and reference for trial.

(1) Before directing the trial of any charge by general court -martial, the convening

authority shall refer it to a judge advocate for consideration and advice. The

convening authority may not refer a specification under a charge to a general court -

martial for trial unless the convening authority has been advised in writing by a

judge advocate that:

(a) The specification alleges an offense under this code;

(b) The specification is warranted by evidence indicated in the report of

investigation under KRS 35.160, if there is a report; and

(c) A court-martial would have jurisdiction over the accused and the offense.

(2) The advice of the judge advocate under subsection (1) of this section with respect to

a specification under a charge shall include a written and sign ed statement by the

judge advocate:

(a) Expressing conclusions with respect to each matter set forth in subsection (1)

of this section; and

(b) Recommending action that the convening authority take regarding the

specification.

If the specification is refe rred for trial, the recommendation of the judge advocate

shall accompany the specification.

(3) If the charges or specifications are not formally correct or do not conform to the

substance of the evidence contained in the report of the investigating office r, formal

corrections and such changes in the charges and specifications as are needed to

make them conform to the evidence may be made.