Who is responsible for delivering the preliminary hearing report?

The correct answer is that the convening authority is responsible for delivering the preliminary hearing report. The convening authority plays a pivotal role in the military justice system by overseeing the administrative aspects of court-martial proceedings, including the preliminary hearing. This authority is essential for ensuring that reports and actions taken during the preliminary hearing are appropriately reviewed and communicated. The preliminary hearing officer may conduct the hearing and make recommendations, but it is ultimately the convening authority who is charged with the responsibility of receiving and disseminating the report. This relationship underscores the military's structured chain of command and the delineation of responsibilities within military legal proceedings.

Other roles, such as the chief judge or the defense attorney, have specific functions within the court system but do not have the authority to deliver the preliminary hearing report like the convening authority does. Understanding this hierarchy is crucial for effectively navigating the military justice process.