FY2012 - Military Justice Report - Headquarters Marine Corps

U.S. MARINE CORPS MILITARY JUSTICE REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012authorized to take primary responsibility in certain types of complex litigation. Counsel mustcarry enough cases to gain a level of proficiency and establish an experience base, but not somany as to lessen their ability to provide competent representation in each individual case. Thedistribution of cases must ensure that new judge advocates can develop their capabilities usingrelatively simple cases, and over time achieve the requisite expertise to take on complexlitigation.C. Post-Trial Case Processing. In FY 12, over 1,000 general, special, and summarycourts-martial entered the post-trial process. The appellate courts have set time standards forreview, and the Marine Corps has met those standards consistently, as shown in Figure E.Figure E. Post-Trial Processing Times for USMC CasesAverage Days to CA's Action1501401301201101009080706050403020100Average Days from CA's Action to Receipt by NAMARAMoreno deadline for date of docketing at NMCCA1315101011983 87 92Fiscal Year 2009 Fiscal Year 2010 Fiscal Year 2011 Fiscal Year 2012United States v. Moreno sets forth time limits of 120 days from date of trial (sentencing)to Convening Authority’s Action (CAA) and 30 days from CAA to docketing of the case withthe Court of Criminal Appeals, for a total of 150 days. 7 Occasionally cases arise that are socomplex that delay is deemed to be reasonable, given the processing times associated with largerecords of trial, and transcription of cases that took many in-court hours. In addition, defense7 The United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces held that it “will apply a presumption of unreasonable delay… wherethe action of the convening authority is not taken within 120 days of the completion of courts-martial trial” or when the case isnot docketed with the Court of Criminal Appeals within 30 days of the Convening Authority Action. U .S. v. Moreno, 63 M.J.129, 142 (2006).10