For various reasons the issue of homosexuality and DADT has been in the news for a while. The results of the various surveys to servicemembers and familys are still pending. Tomorrow, NMCCA will hear oral argument in United States v. Hayes: I. WHETHER THE MILITARY JUDGE’S COMMENTS ON THE RECORD AND DURING THE “BRIDGING THE…
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NMCCA has released a number of decisions. Several have providency issues and issues not raised by appellate counsel. United States v. Messias. The court set-aside a finding of guilty to because of an inadequate providence inquiry. No sentence relief granted. While the providence inquiry establishes facts sufficient to demonstrate that the appellant drove on base…
Continue reading ›The Coast Guard has certified the following issues to CAAF. No. 10-6010/CG. U. S., Appellant v. ANDREW L. DALY, Appellee. CCA 001-62-10. Notice is hereby given that a certificate for review of the decision of the United States Coast Guard Court of Criminal Appeals was filed under Rule 22 on this date on the following…
Continue reading ›There’s something for everyone out of a number of Navy and Coast Guard cases. Defense Counsel. When the military judge wrongly announces a sentence which will inure to your client’s benefit, generally you should keep you mouth shut. But, once you get the SJAR, double check the SJAR against the record. See United States v.…
Continue reading ›CAAF has issued an opinion in United States v. Nerad. RYAN, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which EFFRON, C.J., and ERDMANN, J., joined. BAKER, J., filed a separate opinion concurring in the result. STUCKY, J., filed a separate dissenting opinion. Nerad gets a remand to AFCCA for the court to clarify it’s…
Continue reading ›United States v. Ruiz should sound familiar to most defense counsel – the basic facts that is. An adultery case becomes a rape allegation. In particular I recommend: Reporting the Alleged Rape On the night of the alleged rape, after returning to the barracks, AN P did not report the rape or tell anyone what…
Continue reading ›In United States v. Morton, ACCA on remand from CAAF found no “dramatic change in the penalty landscape” and affirmed the sentence imposed at trial. On first review ACCA had set-aside two specifications regarding a falsification of a sick-slip under Article 123, UCMJ. But ACCA then affirmed two specifications thought to be closely related to…
Continue reading ›CAAF has decided: United States v. Contreras, No. 09-0754/AF We granted review of the following issue: WHETHER THE HOUSEBREAKING CHARGE SHOULD BE SET ASIDE BECAUSE THE UNDERLYING CRIMINAL OFFENSE, INDECENT ACTS WITH ANOTHER UNDER ARTICLE 134, UCMJ, IS A PURELY MILITARY OFFENSE. As detailed below, we conclude that indecent acts with another, a violation of…
Continue reading ›United States v. Roach has been returned to AFCCA for a second time. Initially the case was sent back because appellant’s case was decided before his counsel submitted a brief, and because the chief judge on his panel had made some public comments relating to the case. This time the case goes back because the…
Continue reading ›In United States v. Serianne __ M.J. ___ (C.A.A.F. 2010), CAAF affirmed NMCCA’s dismissal of a charge that Chief Serianne failed to inform his command of a civilian conviction. Here is a link to the en banc opinion on an Article 62(b) interlocutory appeal by the government in Serianne, at NMCCA. On its face the…
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