How the US bypasses British courts to try its military over crimes in the UK
Summary
The United States military has more than 12,000 personnel stationed at bases across the UK. When US service members are accused of crimes on British soil, many are tried by US military courts called courts martial instead of British courts. This practice comes from an agreement between the US and UK governments made in 1951.Key Facts
- There are over 12,000 US military personnel at at least 15 bases in the UK, mostly in England and one in Scotland.
- US service members accused of crimes, including serious offenses like sexual assault and violent attacks, are often tried in US military courts on UK bases.
- Courts martial are military trials that follow the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the US military's own legal system.
- These trials happen on military premises and are generally not open to the public like British courts.
- The 1951 Status of Forces agreement between the US and UK sets the rules for who prosecutes US troops in the UK.
- The US prosecutes troops for crimes committed while on duty or involving US military people or property.
- For other crimes, British authorities technically have the first right to prosecute but often allow US military courts to handle the cases.
- UK police and prosecutors can choose to give jurisdiction to US military courts if requested, which can lead to fewer British criminal trials for offenses by US personnel.
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