Since Denedo, and definitely since Padilla, military defense counsel must tell a client about the potential for deportation. A former U.S. Marine from Jamaica who was convicted by special court-martial of having sex with a girl younger than 16 is eligible for deportation, the Third Circuit ruled. Gurson Gourzong, a…
Court-Martial Trial Practice Blog
JPP on, on, on
The Department of Defense (DoD) is publishing this notice to announce that it is renewing the charter for the Judicial Proceedings Since Fiscal Year 2012 Amendments Panel (“the Panel”).
In Canada, sexual misconduct is inappropriate-is it?
The National Post (Canada) reports: The Canadian Forces has distributed 120,000 wallet-size cards to military personnel to remind them that sexual assault is an “inappropriate” behaviour. The cards are to be carried by military staff on the job, including when they are sent overseas. But a critic of how the Canadian…
Now what, the appeal is done
I came across a couple of Air Force opinions and have posted about habeas corpus and coram nobis. https://www.court-martial.com/habeas-coram.html
In China they devalue currency. In the U.S. military they devalue your rights?
On 20 May 2016, the President, exercising his powers under UCMJ art. 36, signed an executive order amending the Manual for Courts-Martial. Changes to the rules of evidence are included. It was a change to Rule 311 that has draw significant attention and discussion among the UCMJ literati. Basically, a military judge…
Is the “victim” a “party” to the proceeding so that MRE 801(d)(2) applies to her
Yes, is my answer, or at least that is my answer in a brief filed with the Army Court of Criminal Appeals and in several arguments at court-martial. Under Mil. R. Evid. 801(2), you can offer the out of court statements of an opposing party or certain statements of that…
Can the prosecution violate MRE 412
Yes, is my answer. In several cases at trial I have objected to prosecution evidence under Mil. R. Evid. 412, for the prosecution’s failure to follow the rule. Mil. R. Evid. 412 is clear that it applies to prosecutors. First the rule states: A party intending to offer evidence under…
Subject to interpretation–WTR
Worth the read is a pending Supreme Court petition that may have impact on military cases. Issue: Whether the Confrontation Clause permits the prosecution to introduce an out-of-court, testimonial translation, without making the translator available for confrontation and cross-examination. That is the issue in Ye v. United States, a history…
New Navy rules for Transition payments to abused dependents
OPNAV INSTRUCTION 1750.3A From: Chief of Naval Operations Subj: TRANSITIONAL COMPENSATION FOR ABUSED DEPENDENTS
News on mental health related administrative discharges
SecNav has signed a new policy on administrative separations for misconduct where the person has a mental health issue. To protect Sailors and Marines suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI) or any other diagnosed mental health condition, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus has made his…