REDRESS OF INJURIES TO PROPERTY

(a) If complaint is made to a commanding officer that wilful damage has been done to the property of any person or that a person's property has been wrongfully taken by members of the state military forces, the officer, subject to regulations the governor prescribes, may 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 may summon witnesses, examine them on oath or affirmation, receive depositions or other documentary evidence, and 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 him shall be charged against the pay of the offenders. The order of the commanding officer directing charges authorized by this section is conclusive, except as provided by Subsection (c), on any disbursing officer for the payment by him to the injured parties of the damages 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 military funds of the units of the state military forces to which the offenders belong. (c) A person subject to this chapter who is accused of causing wilful damage to property has the rights to be represented by counsel, to summon witnesses in his behalf, and to cross-examine those appearing against him. The counsel mentioned must be military counsel, provided by the commanding officer instituting this inquiry. The accused may also employ civilian counsel of his own choosing at his own expense. The accused has the right of appeal to the next higher commander.