The depends on the officer who hears the charges and the circumstances surrounding the offence.
Basically the rules are laid down in Queen's regulations.
The offence has to go through several stages before the possible sentence becomes bigger. The CO can handle a minor offence and give a fine or minor pubnishment. Or he may refer it to the CO. The CO can give a larger offence, including prison time and discharge or refer ti, according to the severity, to a Courts Martial. The CM can give a fine, prison time or discharge or all three in the most severe cases.
Basically the rules are laid down in Queen's regulations.
The offence has to go through several stages before the possible sentence becomes bigger. The CO can handle a minor offence and give a fine or minor pubnishment. Or he may refer it to the CO. The CO can give a larger offence, including prison time and discharge or refer ti, according to the severity, to a Courts Martial. The CM can give a fine, prison time or discharge or all three in the most severe cases.
