Statute 48-3105: Redress of injuries to property.
(a) Whenever complaint is made to any commanding officer that willful
damage has been done to the property of any person or that the person's
property has been wrongfully taken by members of the state military forces,
the person may, subject to such regulations as the governor may prescribe,
convene a board
to investigate the complaint. The board shall consist of from one to three
commissioned officers and, for the purpose of that investigation, it has
power to summon witnesses and examine them upon oath or affirmation, to
receive depositions or other documentary evidence, and to assess the
damages sustained against the responsible parties. The assessment of
damages made by the board is subject to the approval of the commanding
officer, and in the amount approved by the commanding officer shall be charged
against the pay of the offenders. The order of the commanding officer directing
charges herein authorized is conclusive, except as provided in subsection
(c), on any disbursing officer for the payment by him or her to the injured
parties of the damages so assessed and approved.
(b) If the offenders cannot be ascertained, but the organization or
detachment to which they belong is known, charges totaling the amount of
damages assessed and approved may be paid to the injured parties from the
funds of the units of the state military forces to which the offenders
belonged.
(c) Any person subject to this code who is accused of causing willful
damage to property has the right to be represented by counsel, to summon
witnesses in the person's behalf, and to cross-examine those appearing against
him or her. The accused has the right of appeal to the next higher commander.
History: L. 1972, ch. 203, § 48-3105; July 1.