CAAF Opinion Digest · one opinion, every topic

U.S. v. Simoy, 50 M.J. 1

Decided Oct 20, 1998 · No. 97-7001/AF · 1999 Term · Opinion (PDF)

Digested under 3 topics

Trial Stages: Sentence and Punishment: Capital Punishment

  1. members must vote on lightest proposed punishment first and may not vote on death first if there is a proposal by any member for lesser punishment

Trial Stages: Sentence and Punishment: Instructions

  1. members must be instructed to vote first on the lightest proposed sentence

Trial Stages: Appeals: Preservation of Error / Plain Error

  1. failure to give instruction requiring voting on lightest proposed sentence first is plain error
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Last updated by the court: Oct 13, 2026 · mirrored Oct 29, 2026 · Always confirm a holding against the opinion itself (linked from each case name).