We all know that a defense counsel (and for that matter trial counsel) should not trust what comes out of a military drug lab, USACIL, or DCFL – I won’t rehash the problems over the years – which may well be continuing. While the problems have been substantial, DOD and…
Court-Martial Trial Practice Blog
Mil. R. Evid. 412
Evidence of past false complaints of sexual offenses by an alleged victim of a sexual offense is not within the scope of this rule and is not objectionable when otherwise admissible. Appendix 22, p. A22-36, Manual for Courts-Martial, United States (2012).
And you think you have it hard
Pennsylvania Public Defenders Rebel Against Crushing Caseloads. [Washington] Supreme Court Adopts Standards for Indigent Defense: Case Limit Guidelines Effective in 2013.
More on shaken baby syndrome
SBS has been subject to significant criticism, so the “experts” have changed it’s name to Abusive Head Trauma. But does a name change mean that the “syndrome” or “diagnosis” is any more real? Shaken Baby Syndrome, Abusive Head Trauma, and Actual Innocence: Getting It Right Keith A. Findley University of…
Confronting experts
Now that the current slew of confrontation cases are decided it’s time to regroup. Let’s start with my former evidence professor, Paul Gianelli (a former Army JA). Confrontation, Experts, and Rule 703 Paul C. Giannelli Case Western Reserve University – School of Law 20 J.L. & Pol’y 443 (2012) Case…
How is Fosler faring post-CAAF
In Faison v. Belcher, a prisoner at the USDB sought to get the federal district court in Kansas to grant a habeas for several issues, including a Fosler issue.
A greater “privilege” reminder
From my very first opinion on this Court, I have consistently concluded that Mil.R.Evid. 410 must be applied broadly to be consistent with its purpose. United States v. Barunas, 23 M.J. 71, 75-76 (CMA 1986). See also Fed.R.Evid. 410. Speaking for the Court in Barunas, I said: The general purpose…
A rather odd view of the UCMJ
NOTE: “If you Have a Zero-Tolerance Policy, Why Aren’t You Doing Anything?: Using the Uniform Code of Military Justice to Combat Human Trafficking Abroad, 80 Geo Wash L. Rev. 1255 (2012).
Unraveling DNA for the defense
There are a number of resources available to counsel for research beyond what is in the red book. The National Criminal Justice Reference Service is just one: https://www.ncjrs.gov/ Thanks to a colleague for pointing out a new publication that may assist the defense in particular. DNA for the Defense Bar,…
Worth the read
There have been discussions from time to time how convening authorities refer odd-ball or arguably frivolous cases to trial. Who’s Guarding the Henhouse? How the American Prosecutor Came to Devour Those He is Sworn to Protect Jonathan Rapping Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School June 10, 2012 Washburn Law Journal, Vol.…