Section 56: Maximum limits
Article 56. Maximum limits.
The punishment that a court-martial may direct for an offense may not exceed such limits as prescribed by this code, but in no instance may a sentence exceed more than 10 years for a military offense, nor shall a sentence of death be adjudged. A conviction by general court-martial of any military offense for which an accused may receive a sentence of confinement for more than 1 year is a felony offense. Except for convictions by a summary court-martial, all other military offenses are misdemeanors. Any conviction by a summary court-martial is not a criminal conviction. The limits of punishment for violations of the punitive articles prescribed herein shall be as prescribed by the manual for courts-martial of the commonwealth in effect at the time of the offense, but in no instance shall any punishment exceed 10 years confinement.