Chapter XI · Post-Trial Procedure
R.C.M. 1116. Transmittal of records of trial for general and special courts-martial
2024 Manual for Courts-Martial, United States
See all changes(a) Cases forwarded to the Judge Advocate General. In all general and special courts-martial in which the judgment includes a finding of guilty, the certified record of trial and attachments required under R.C.M. 1112(f) shall be sent directly to the Judge Advocate General concerned. Forwarding an electronic copy of the certified record of trial and attachments satisfies the requirements under this rule. The records of trial in general and special courts-martial without a finding of guilty shall be disposed of in accordance with the regulations of the Secretary concerned.
(b) Transmittal of records for cases eligible for appellate review by a Court of Criminal Appeals.
(1) Automatic review. Except when the accused has waived or withdrawn the right to appellate review, if the court-martial judgment includes a sentence of death, dismissal of a commissioned officer, cadet, or midshipman, a dishonorable or bad-conduct discharge, or confinement for 2 years or more, the Judge Advocate General shall forward the certified record of trial and attachments required under R.C.M. 1112(f) to the Court of Criminal Appeals for automatic review under Article 66(b)(3).
Discussion
See R.C.M. 1203(b).
(A) A copy of the record of trial and attachments shall be forwarded to appellate defense counsel in accordance with rules prescribed by the Secretary concerned. If the record forwarded does not include a written transcript of the proceedings, the Government shall provide appellate defense counsel with appropriate equipment for playback of the recording and with either—
(i) the means to transform the recording into a text format through voice recognition software or similar means; or
(ii) a transcription of the record in either printed or digital format.
(B) Upon written request of the accused, a copy of the record and attachments shall be forwarded to a civilian counsel provided by the accused.
(C) Copies of the record provided under subparagraph (b)(1)(A) of this rule shall not include sealed exhibits, recordings or transcriptions of closed sessions, or classified matters.
Discussion
An accused may not waive or withdraw the right to appellate review before the Court of Criminal Appeals of any general court-martial in which the judgment includes a sentence of death. See Article 61, R.C.M. 1115. See R.C.M. 1114 regarding the procedure for preparing and obtaining certified transcripts of all or a portion of the record. If a transcription is provided in digital format, the Government shall ensure that the recipient has an appropriate means of reading the transcription. See R.C.M. 1112 and 1113 regarding access to classified and sealed matters. See R.C.M. 1201(a)(2) for review by an attorney of those cases eligible for appellate review by the Court of Criminal Appeals, but where the accused waives the right to appeal, withdraws an appeal, or fails to file a timely appeal. See R.C.M. 1202 concerning representation of the accused by appellate counsel before the appellate courts. See R.C.M. 1203 concerning review by the Court of Criminal Appeals and the powers and responsibilities of the Judge Advocate General after such review.
(2) Cases eligible for direct appeal by the accused. Except when the accused has waived or withdrawn the right to appeal under Article 61, if a general and special court-martial is not subject to automatic review under Article 66(b)(3) but is eligible for review under Article 66(b)(1), the Judge Advocate General shall provide notice to the accused of the right to file an appeal either by depositing the notice in the United States mails for delivery by first class certified mail to the accused at an address provided by the accused, or, if the accused has not provided an address, to the latest address listed for the accused in the official service record of the accused. Proof of service shall be attached to the record of trial.
Discussion
See R.C.M. 1115 for rules regarding the waiver or withdrawal of appellate review. See R.C.M. 1203 for rules concerning appellate review by a Court of Criminal Appeals.
(A) The Judge Advocate General shall forward a copy of the record of trial and attachments required under R.C.M. 1112(f) to an appellate defense counsel who shall be detailed to review the case, and upon request of the accused, to represent the accused before the Court of Criminal Appeals.
(B) The record of trial and attachments required under R.C.M. 1112(f) shall be forwarded in accordance with the procedures set forth in subparagraphs (b)(1)(A)–(C) of this rule.
(c) General and special courts-martial not reviewed by a Court of Criminal Appeals. General and special courts-martial with a finding of guilty not reviewed by a Court of Criminal Appeals under Article 66(b)(1) or (3) shall be reviewed under Article 65(d)(2).
Discussion
See R.C.M. 1201(a)(1); and R.C.M. 1203(b) and (c).
(d) Review when appellate review by a Court of Criminal Appeals is waived, withdrawn, or not filed. In a general or special court-martial in which the accused waives the right to appellate review or withdraws an appeal under Article 61, or fails to file a timely appeal in a case eligible for review by the Court of Criminal Appeals under Article 66(b)(1), the case shall be reviewed under Article 65(d)(3).
Discussion
See R.C.M. 1115, R.C.M. 1201(a)(2), and R.C.M. 1203(c).