322.051(1)
(1) Voting by members of a general or special court-martial on the findings and on the sentence shall be by secret written ballot. The junior member of the court shall count the votes. The count shall be checked by the president, who shall as soon as possible announce the result of the ballot to the members of the court.
322.051(2)
(2) The military judge shall rule upon all questions of law and all interlocutory questions arising during the proceedings. Any ruling made by the military judge upon any question of law or any interlocutory question other than the factual issue of mental disease or defect of the accused is final and constitutes the ruling of the court. However, the military judge may change the ruling at any time during the trial. Unless the ruling is final, if any member objects, the court shall be cleared and closed and the question decided by a voice vote as provided in
s. 322.052, beginning with the junior in rank.
322.051(3)
(3) Before a vote is taken on the findings, the military judge shall, in the presence of the accused and counsel, instruct the members of the court as to the elements of the offense and charge them with all of the following:
322.051(3)(a)
(a) The accused shall be presumed to be innocent until his or her guilt is established by legal and competent evidence beyond reasonable doubt.
322.051(3)(b)
(b) The case being considered, if there is a reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the accused, the doubt must be resolved in favor of the accused and the accused must be acquitted.
322.051(3)(c)
(c) If there is a reasonable doubt as to the degree of guilt, the finding shall be in a lower degree as to which there is no reasonable doubt.
322.051(3)(d)
(d) The burden of proof to establish the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt is upon the state.
322.051(4)
(4) Subsections (1),
(2), and
(3) do not apply to a court-martial composed of a military judge only. The military judge of a court-martial shall determine all questions of law and fact arising during the proceedings and, if the accused is convicted, adjudge an appropriate sentence. The military judge of a court-martial shall make a general finding and shall in addition, on request, find the facts specially. If an opinion or memorandum of decision is filed, it will be sufficient if the findings of fact appear.
322.051 History
History: 2007 a. 200.
322.052
322.052
Article 52—Number of votes required. 322.052(1)
(1) No person may be convicted of an offense except as provided in
s. 322.045 (2) or
s. 322.051 (4) or by the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present at the time the vote is taken.
322.052(2)
(2) All other questions to be decided by the members of a general or special court-martial shall be determined by a majority vote, but a determination to reconsider a sentence, with a view toward decreasing it, may be made by any lesser vote which indicates that the reconsideration is not opposed by the number of votes required for that finding or sentence. A tie vote on a challenge disqualifies the member challenged. A tie vote on a motion relating to the question of the accused's mental disease or defect is a determination against the accused. A tie vote on any other question is a determination in favor of the accused.
322.052 History
History: 2007 a. 200.
322.053
322.053
Article 53—Court to announce action. A court-martial shall announce its findings and sentence to the parties as soon as determined.
322.053 History
History: 2007 a. 200.
322.054
322.054
Article 54—Record of trial. 322.054(1)
(1) Each general and special court-martial shall keep a separate record of the proceedings in each case brought before it, and the record shall be authenticated by the signature of the military judge. If the record cannot be authenticated by the military judge by reason of his or her death, disability, or absence, it shall be authenticated by the signature of the trial counsel or by that of a member, if the trial counsel is unable to authenticate it by reason of his or her death, disability, or absence. In a court-martial consisting of only a military judge, the record shall be authenticated by the court reporter under the same conditions which would impose a duty on a member under this subsection.
322.054(2)
(2) A complete verbatim record of the proceedings and testimony shall be prepared in each general and special court-martial case resulting in a conviction, and in all other court-martial cases, the record shall contain matters as may be prescribed by regulations.
322.054(3)
(3) Each summary court-martial shall keep a separate record of the proceedings in each case, and the record shall be authenticated in the manner as may be prescribed by regulations.
322.054(4)
(4) A copy of the record of the proceedings of each general and special court-martial shall be given to the accused as soon as it is authenticated.
322.054 History
History: 2007 a. 200.
SENTENCES
322.055
322.055
Article 55—Cruel and unusual punishments prohibited. Punishment by flogging, or by branding, marking, or tattooing on the body, or any other cruel or unusual punishment may not be adjudged by a court-martial or inflicted upon any person subject to this code. The use of irons, single or double, except for the purpose of safe custody, is prohibited.
322.055 History
History: 2007 a. 200.
322.056
322.056
Article 56—Maximum limits. 322.056(1)
(1) The punishment which a court-martial may direct for an offense may not exceed 10 years confinement.
322.056(2)
(2) A conviction by a general court-martial of any military offense for which an accused may receive a sentence of confinement for more than 1 year is a felony offense.
322.056(3)
(3) Except for convictions by a summary court-martial, all other offenses are misdemeanors.
322.056(4)
(4) A conviction by a summary court-martial is not a criminal conviction.
322.056(5)
(5) The limits of punishment for violations of the punitive sections under Subch.
X shall be prescribed by the governor according to
ss. 322.018, to
322.020, but under no instance shall any punishment exceed that authorized by this code.
322.056 History
History: 2007 a. 200.
322.057
322.057
Article 57—Effective date of sentences. 322.057(1)(1) Whenever a sentence of a court-martial as lawfully adjudged and approved includes a forfeiture of pay or allowances in addition to confinement not suspended, the forfeiture may apply to pay or allowances becoming due on or after the date the sentence is approved by the convening authority. No forfeiture may extend to any pay or allowances accrued before that date.
322.057(2)
(2) Any period of confinement included in a sentence of a court-martial begins to run from the date the sentence is adjudged by the court-martial, but periods during which the sentence to confinement is suspended or deferred shall be excluded in computing the service of the term of confinement.
322.057(3)
(3) All other sentences of courts-martial are effective on the date ordered executed.
322.057 History
History: 2007 a. 200.
322.0575
322.0575
Article 57a—Deferment of sentences. 322.0575(1)
(1) On application by an accused who is under sentence to confinement that has not been ordered executed, the convening authority or, if the accused is no longer under that person's jurisdiction, the person exercising general court-martial jurisdiction over the command to which the accused is currently assigned, may in that person's sole discretion defer service of the sentence to confinement. The deferment shall terminate when the sentence is ordered executed. The deferment may be rescinded at any time by the person who granted it or, if the accused is no longer under that person's jurisdiction, by the person exercising general court-martial jurisdiction over the command to which the accused is currently assigned.
322.0575(2)(a)(a) In any case in which a court-martial sentences an accused referred to in
par. (b) to confinement, the convening authority may defer the service of the sentence to confinement, without the consent of the accused, until after the accused has been permanently released to the state military forces by a state, the United States, or a foreign country referred to in that paragraph.
322.0575(2)(b)
(b) Paragraph (a) applies to a person subject to this code who meets all of the following:
322.0575(2)(b)1.
1. While in the custody of a state, the United States, or a foreign country is temporarily returned by that state, the United States, or a foreign country to the state military forces for trial by court-martial.
322.0575(2)(b)2.
2. After the court-martial, is returned to that state, the United States, or a foreign country under the authority of a mutual agreement or treaty, as the case may be.
322.0575(3)
(3) In any case in which a court-martial sentences an accused to confinement and the sentence to confinement has been ordered executed, but in which review of the case under
s. 322.0675 is pending, the adjutant general may defer further service of the sentence to confinement while that review is pending.
322.0575(4)
(4) A sentence of confinement shall address work release privileges.
322.0575 History
History: 2007 a. 200.
322.058
322.058
Article 58—Conditions of confinement. 322.058(1)
(1) A sentence of confinement adjudged by a court-martial, whether or not the sentence includes discharge or dismissal, and whether or not the discharge or dismissal has been executed, may be carried into execution by confinement in any place authorized by this code. Persons so confined are subject to the same discipline and treatment as persons regularly confined or committed to that place of confinement.
322.058(2)
(2) The omission of hard labor as a sentence authorized under this code does not deprive the state confinement facility from employing it, if it otherwise is within the authority of that facility to do so.
322.058(3)
(3) No place of confinement may require payment of any fee or charge for receiving or confining a person except as otherwise provided by law.
322.058 History
History: 2007 a. 200.
322.0585
322.0585
Article 58a—Sentences: reduction in enlisted grade upon approval. 322.0585(1)
(1) A court-martial sentence of an enlisted member in a pay grade above E-1, as approved by the convening authority, that includes a dishonorable or bad-conduct discharge, or confinement, reduces that member to pay grade E-1, effective on the date of that approval.
322.0585(2)
(2) If the sentence of a member who is reduced in pay grade under
sub. (1) is set aside or disapproved, or, as finally approved, does not include any punishment named in
sub. (1), the rights and privileges of which the person was deprived because of that reduction shall be restored, including pay and allowances.
322.0585 History
History: 2007 a. 200.
322.0587
322.0587
Article 58b—Sentences: forfeiture of pay and allowances during confinement. 322.0587(1)
(1) A court-martial sentence described in
sub. (2) shall result in the forfeiture of pay, or of pay and allowances, due that member during any period of confinement or parole. The forfeiture subject to this section shall take effect on the date determined under
s. 322.057 (1) and may be deferred as provided by that subsection. The pay and allowances forfeited, in the case of a general court-martial, shall be all pay and allowances due that member during the period and, in the case of a special court-martial, shall be two-thirds of all pay due that member during the period.
322.0587(2)
(2) A sentence covered by this section is any sentence that includes any of the following:
322.0587(2)(b)
(b) Confinement for 6 months or less and a dishonorable or bad-conduct discharge or dismissal.
322.0587(3)
(3) In a case involving an accused who has dependents, the convening authority or other person acting under
s. 322.060 may waive any or all of the forfeitures of pay and allowances required by
sub. (1) for a period not to exceed 6 months. Any amount of pay or allowances that, except for a waiver under this subsection, would be forfeited shall be paid, as the convening authority or other person taking action directs, to the dependents of the accused.
322.0587(4)
(4) If the sentence of a member who forfeits pay and allowances under
sub. (1) is set aside or disapproved or, as finally approved, does not provide for a punishment referred to in
sub. (1) (b) [
sub. (2)], the member shall be paid the pay and allowances that the member would have been paid, except for the forfeiture, for the period during which the forfeiture was in effect.
322.0587 Note
NOTE: The correct cross-reference is shown in brackets. Corrective legislation is pending.
322.0587 History
History: 2007 a. 200.
POST-TRIAL PROCEDURE AND
REVIEW OF COURTS-MARTIAL
322.059
322.059
Article 59—Error of law; lesser included offense. 322.059(1)(1) A finding or sentence of a court-martial may not be held incorrect on the ground of an error of law unless the error materially prejudices the substantial rights of the accused.
322.059(2)
(2) Any reviewing authority with the power to approve or affirm a finding of guilty may approve or affirm, instead, so much of the finding as includes a lesser included offense.
322.059 History
History: 2007 a. 200.
322.060
322.060
Article 60—Action by the convening authority. 322.060(1)(1) The findings and sentence of a court-martial shall be reported promptly to the convening authority after the announcement of the sentence.
322.060(2)
(2) The accused may submit to the convening authority matters for consideration by the convening authority with respect to the findings and the sentence. Any submission shall be in writing. Except in a summary court-martial case, a submission shall be made within 10 days after the accused has been given an authenticated record of trial and, if applicable, the recommendation of a judge advocate under
sub. (9). In a summary court-martial case, a submission shall be made within 7 days after the sentence is announced.
322.060(3)
(3) If the accused shows that additional time is required for the accused to submit matters, the convening authority or other person taking action under this section, for good cause, may extend the applicable period for not more than an additional 20 days.
322.060(4)
(4) In a summary court-martial case, the accused shall be promptly provided a copy of the record of trial for use in preparing a submission.
322.060(5)
(5) The accused may waive the right to make a submission to the convening authority under
sub. (2). A waiver must be made in writing and may not be revoked. The time within which the accused may make a submission under this subsection shall be deemed to have expired upon the submission of a waiver to the convening authority.
322.060(6)
(6) The authority under this section to modify the findings and sentence of a court-martial is a matter of command prerogative involving the sole discretion of the convening authority. If it is impractical for the convening authority to act, the convening authority shall forward the case to a person exercising general court-martial jurisdiction who may take action under this section.
322.060(7)
(7) Action on the sentence of a court-martial shall be taken by the convening authority or by another person authorized to act under this section. Action may be taken only after consideration of any matters submitted by the accused under
sub. (2) or after the time for submitting matters expires, whichever is earlier. The convening authority or other person taking action, in that person's sole discretion may approve, disapprove, commute, or suspend the sentence in whole or in part.
322.060(8)
(8) Action on the findings of a court-martial by the convening authority or other person acting on the sentence is not required. However, the person, in the person's sole discretion may do any of the following:
322.060(8)(a)
(a) Dismiss any charge or specification by setting aside a finding of guilty.
322.060(8)(b)
(b) Change a finding of guilty to a charge or specification to a finding of guilty to an offense that is a lesser included offense of the offense stated in the charge or specification.
322.060(9)
(9) Before acting under this section on any general or special court-martial case in which there is a finding of guilt, the convening authority or other person taking action under this section shall obtain and consider the written recommendation of a judge advocate. The convening authority or other person taking action under this section shall refer the record of trial to the judge advocate, and the judge advocate shall use the record in the preparation of the recommendation. The recommendation of the judge advocate shall include matters as may be prescribed by regulation and shall be served on the accused, who may submit any matter in response. Failure to object in the response to the recommendation or to any matter attached to the recommendation waives the right to object.
322.060(10)
(10) The convening authority or other person taking action under this section, in the person's sole discretion, may order a proceeding in revision or a rehearing.
322.060(11)
(11) A proceeding in revision may be ordered if there is an apparent error or omission in the record or if the record shows improper or inconsistent action by a court-martial with respect to the findings or sentence that can be rectified without material prejudice to the substantial rights of the accused. In no case, however, may a proceeding in revision perform any of the following:
322.060(11)(a)
(a) Reconsider a finding of not guilty of any specification or a ruling which amounts to a finding of not guilty.
322.060(11)(b)
(b) Reconsider a finding of not guilty of any charge, unless there has been a finding of guilty under a specification laid under that charge, which sufficiently alleges a violation of some section of this code.
322.060(11)(c)
(c) Increase the severity of the sentence unless the sentence prescribed for the offense is mandatory.
322.060(12)
(12) A rehearing may be ordered by the convening authority or other person taking action under this section if that person disapproves the findings and sentence and states the reasons for disapproval of the findings. If a person disapproves the findings and sentence and does not order a rehearing, that person shall dismiss the charges. A rehearing as to the findings may not be ordered where there is a lack of sufficient evidence in the record to support the findings. A rehearing as to the sentence may be ordered if the convening authority or other person taking action under this subsection disapproves the sentence.
