Rhode Island General Laws Title 30. Military Affairs and Defense § 30-13-28. Law officer of a general court-martial

(a) The authority convening a general court-martial shall detail as the law officer thereof a commissioned officer who is a member of the bar of the supreme court of the state, or a member of the bar of a federal court, and who is certified to be qualified for that duty by the state judge advocate.  No person is eligible to act as law officer in a case if that person is the accuser or a witness for the prosecution or has acted as investigating officer or as counsel in the same case.

(b) The law officer may not consult with the members of the court, other than on the form of the findings as provided in § 30-13-42, except in the presence of the accused, trial counsel, and defense counsel, nor may the law officer vote with the members of the court.