MEJA allows federal prosecution of civilians overseas on military installations when host country refuses.

• A. When the host country refuses to prosecute civilians.
• B. When host country consents to prosecution.
• C. Only for crimes committed by service members.
• D. Only in combat zones.

Answer: (A)

MEJA provides federal jurisdiction over certain crimes by civilians who accompany the U.S. armed forces overseas, but only when the host country refuses to prosecute. This creates a backstop to ensure accountability when local authorities won’t or can’t prosecute offenses committed by civilians linked to the military, such as contractors or civilian employees.

So the best choice is the one that says prosecution occurs when the host country refuses to prosecute. The other scenarios don’t fit MEJA: it doesn’t hinge on the host country’s consent to prosecute locally, it covers civilians (not service members) connected to the military, and it isn’t limited to combat zones.