(a) Before directing the trial of a charge by general court-martial, the convening authority shall refer it to the authority's staff judge advocate or legal officer for consideration and advice. The convening authority may not refer a charge to a general court-martial for trial unless the authority has found that the charge alleges an offense under this chapter and is warranted by evidence indicated in the report of investigation.
(b) If the charges or specifications are not formally correct or do not conform to the substance of the evidence contained in the report of the investigating officer, formal corrections and changes in the charges and specifications that are needed to make them conform to the evidence may be made.