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What happens after the court-martial is over?

At the conclusion of the court-martial, the government is responsible for compiling a verbatim transcript (in most cases) of the testimony of the court-martial, and all of the “allied papers” which includes the police reports, Article 32 report, motions filed at trial, etc. This is called the Record of Trial (ROT.)

Once the record of the trial, or transcript, is completed, it is “served” on the defense counsel and the accused. The accused then has ten days to ask the convening authority for clemency. This ten day period can be extended for twenty additional days. The submission to the convening authority is an important step in the court-martial process. Great care should be taken in the preparation of the clemency petition. An attorney with experience in courts-martial and courts-martial appeals can assist in the preparation of the clemency petition. Unfortunately, due to recent action by Congress, the power of the convening authority to provide meaningful relief at clemency has been greatly curtailed.  Even though the convening authority has not taken final action on the sentence, any sentence of confinement begins immediately after the trial is over, unless deferred by the convening authority.

Once the convening authority takes final action, if the approved sentence includes confinement for more than one year, a punitive discharge or death, the case is automatically referred to the Court of Criminal Appeals of that particular service.  This may be the Army, Navy-Marine Corps, Air Force or Coast Guard Court of Criminal Appeals. This court consists of panels of three military appellate judges, whose sole job is to review courts-martial appeals from their service. At this stage, the service member is provided with a military attorney from the Defense Appellate Division of his or her service. In addition, the service member can retain a civilian attorney to represent him before the Court of Criminal Appeals.

This is the start of the appeals process, and is the most important step in getting relief on appeal.  Your attorney will prepare an appellate brief for submission to the court, which will outline errors made at trial, and matters that your attorney believes may have lead to an unfair trial.  This requires a thorough review of the ROT, research of applicable case law, and potentially interviews with witnesses.  It requires close coordination between the attorney and the client.

After the brief is submitted to the Court of Criminal Appeals, the government’s lawyers will then file a response. Then, your attorney can either file a “reply brief” request “oral argument” or rest on the brief that was filed.  These are all extremely important decisions, and require the services of an experienced court-martial appeals lawyer.

If the sentence does not meet the above requirements, an appeal is then processed by the office of the Judge Advocate General for your service.

If you have been convicted of a crime and want to seek an appeal,
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Secured reversal of court-martial conviction for Air Force Staff Sergeant convicted of rape

December 31, 2011

Mr. Cassara secured reversal of court-martial conviction for Air Force Staff Sergeant convicted of rape. Airman was charged with rape. After being convicted at court-martial, he knew he needed an experienced court martial appeal attorney and  retained Mr. Cassara to handle his court martial appeal. Mr. Cassara succeeded in getting the conviction overturned after learning … Read more

Obtained set aside of conviction of child sexual abuse for USAF E-7

December 31, 2011

Obtained set aside of conviction of child sexual abuse for USAF E-7. Service member convicted of sexually abusing his daughter. Conviction affirmed by Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals. Mr. Cassara succeeded in getting that decision set aside. Decision allows service member to again appeal his conviction and to seek a new trial. United States … Read more

Obtained reversal of all charges for Army Specialist convicted of child molestation and sentenced to 25 years

December 31, 2011

Mr. Cassara secured a reversal of all court-martial charges for an Army Specialist serving 25 years confinement at Fort Leavenworth. The Specialist was convicted by a Military Judge, sitting alone, at Fort Eustis, VA. After the Army Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction, Mr. Cassara petitioned the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces … Read more

Obtained reversal charge and disapproval of sentence for sailor convicted at court-martial of drug charges

December 31, 2011

Obtained reversal of most serious charge and disapproval of sentence for sailor convicted at court-martial of serious drug charges and sentenced to confinement, loss of pay and loss of rank. As a result the sailor is eligible for reenlistment and will obtain back pay and entitlements that were taken from him.

Obtained reversal of most serious charges for soldier convicted of child abuse

October 31, 2005

Mr. Cassara obtained reversal of most serious charges for soldier convicted of child abuse. After a rehearing, soldier received an honorable discharge. United States v. Boese (Army Court Criminal Appeals, Oct 2005) (HTM)