As part of due diligence defense counsel want to know as much about a witness as possible–that’s OK and ethical. Many of us have found helpful information on social media accounts. The gist of Formal Opinion 466 is that, within the context of Model Rule 3.5, a lawyer may review…
Court-Martial Trial Practice Blog
“Justice” Gorsuch-Worth-the-Read
Sophie J. Hart & Dennis M. Martin, Essay: Judge Gorsuch and the Fourth Amendment, 69 Stan. L. Rev. Online 132 (March 2017).
Double jeopardy
CAAF’s Daily Journal has this entry for 8 March 2017. No. 17-0226/AF. U.S. v. Dorian K. Owens. CCA 38834. On consideration of the petition for grant of review of the decision of the United States Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals, it is ordered that said petition is hereby granted…
A court-martial is not a gymkana
We caution trial counsel…[as to] how difficult this area of the law can be. There are still issues to be resolved in this arena…. With precedents far from settled, only the bravest of advocacy acrobats ought to tempt fate. (They do so at their own peril, for we guarantee no…
Case to watch–jury nullification
The SCOTUS might soon give us an idea on the subject of jury nullification in Lee v. United States. Issue: Whether it is always irrational for a noncitizen defendant with longtime legal resident status and extended familial and business ties to the United States to reject a plea offer notwithstanding…
Finally, ACCA agrees that MRE 412 applies to the prosecution as well
Today we take up the defense’s assignment of error and address the application of Mil. R. Evid. 412 to the government. Does Mil. R. Evid. 412 apply to the government? Yes. Must the government follow the procedural requirements before introducing evidence that falls under Mil. R. Evid. 412? Again, yes. And,…
Discovery (in Virginia)
The Virginia legislature has passed SB1563. There are several provisions which should be adopted in military cases. D. Whenever the Commonwealth intends to introduce expert opinion testimony at trial, the attorney for the Commonwealth shall notify in writing the accused of the Commonwealth’s intent to present such testimony not later than…
Not much, but something
MCIO ‘ware. It still doesn’t protect your phone, especially if you give consent–but what the heck, it’s something. NACDL Press Release: Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Welcomes Passage by House of Representatives of the Email Privacy Act Washington, DC (Feb. 6, 2017) – Today, the House of Representatives passed the Email…
Worth the Read for the weekend
AF Reporter. THE FIFTH AMENDMENT IN THE DIGITAL WORLD 2 Technology has breathed new life into the interpretation of constitutional provisions. EXCEPTIONAL TRANSITIONAL COMPENSATION 34 Help for Family Member Victims When Discharge Happens Before the Offense is Adjudicated [; increasing the secondary gain incentive]. AF Law Review. SERVE HONORABLY, FOREIGN-BORN…
Two new case results
I note here the results in two cases involving sexual assault.