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Court-Martial Trial Practice Blog

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Statutory interpretation–plain meaning

Ordinary Causation: A Study in Experimental Statutory Interpretation Indiana Law Journal, Forthcoming 73 Pages Posted: 9 Apr 2019 Columbia Law School Date Written: March 14, 2019 Abstract In a series of recent split decisions interpreting criminal and tort-like legislation, the Supreme Court has purported to give statutory causation requirements their…

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When the prosecution requires a plea to a charge the accused isn’t provident to get a take it or leave deal.

United States v. Vick, ACCA 2019. Prosecutors and convening authorities require an accused to plead guilty to charges which the accused is not provident, but it’s a take it or leave it deal and the accused dutifully complies, only to have the whole process go awry. Is Vick such a…

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Another in the you don’t want to start reading the CCA’s evaluation of your case this way series

Appellant argues his trial defense team was ineffective. Appellant’s argument involves mistaken identity, fraternal betrayal, technological mystery, and a healthy dose of bad luck. The argument is ambitious and engaging, it is also wrong. United States v. Carter, ACCA 2019.

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Worth the Read

A case to look out for. United States v. Frost, No. 18-0362/AR Issue: Whether the military judge erred in admitting hearsay statements as prior consistent statements under Mil.R.Evid. 801(d)(1)(B)(i) where the defense theory posited the improper influence or motive preceded the allegedly consistent statements. Case Links: • ACCA opinion • Appellant’s brief…

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How did this happen? — well, it’s a sexual assault case.

Appellant challenges the factual sufficiency of his conviction for sexually assaulting MB. We have reviewed the evidence, which includes a video-recording of appellant’s sexual encounter with MB. The video-recording demonstrates that MB repeatedly gave audible consent—or at least what reasonably appears to be audible consent—to sexual intercourse with appellant. Considering this evidence, we…

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