Source: https://www.ucmjdefense.com/resources/pretrial-restraint-confinement-military/article-13-credit-pretrial-punishment.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 14:59:16+00:00

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No person, while being held for trial, may be subjected to punishment or penalty other than arrest or confinement upon the charges pending against him, nor shall the arrest or confinement imposed upon him be any more rigorous than the circumstances required to insure his presence, but he may be subjected to minor punishment during that period for infractions of discipline. UCMJ art. 13 (2005).
Sentencing credit for unduly harsh circumstances of pretrial confinement was originally granted under United States v. Suzuki, 14 M.J. 491 (C.M.A. 1983), but is now incorporated into R.C.M. 304(k). This section will review cases in which R.C.M 304(k) credit was applied and denied under Article 13, UCMJ.
United States v. Avila, 53 M.J. 99 (C.A.A.F. 2000).
Brig policy dictated that because of the serious nature of appellant’s pending charges, he was, housed in a windowless cell; unable to communicate with other pretrial confines; afforded only one hour of daily recreation; made to wear shackles outside his cell, and; only allowed to see visitors through a window. The Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court’s holding that brig policy of assigning all pretrial confines facing a possible sentence of five or more years to solitary confinement was unreasonable. Appellant was granted an additional 140 days credit for pretrial confinement served. Note that the Court did not find a violation of cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment.
United States v. Evans, 55 M.J. 732 (N-M. Ct. Crim. App. 2001).
Brig policy dictated that appellant be placed into “special quarters” designated for pretrial confines facing serious charges. Appellant was confined to a 6 by 9 foot windowless cell for twenty-three hours each day with one hour of daily recreation (in leg and hand restraints). On appeal, the Court granted additional confinement credit for illegal pretrial confinement, holding the brig policy arbitrary and the conditions of confinement too rigorous.
United States v. Gilchrist, ARMY20020342 (ACCA 2005).
The prisoner was placed in pretrial confinement for various pending charges. He was transported from Fort Knox to Fort Bliss, where the detention cell was full. The command shackled him to a cot in “The Ice House” overnight to prevent flight. At trial, “Article 13” credit was denied, but the ACCA ruled awarded “Article 13” credit, stating that although shackling the prisoner was not per se unduly harsh, alternative methods were available to ensure the prisoner’s presence at trial.
United States v. Crawford, 62 M.J. 411 (C.A.A.F. 2006).
The accused (a Marine officer) was segregated for a week of observation and then retained as a “maximum custody” prisoner for nearly the entire time of his pretrial confinement (9 months). The Court ruled that these conditions were not more rigorous than required to assure his presence at trial and were not in violation of pretrial confinement regulations. The Court based its decision on the nature of the pending charges, the potential for lengthy confinement, the threats made by the accused and the ability to carry out those threats, the accused’s access to unknown quantities of weapons, and his professed willingness to resort to violent means.
United States v. Mazer, 62 M.J. 571 (N-M. Ct. Crim.App. 2005).
On appeal, appellant (a Navy O-3) asserted that he was subjected to illegal pretrial punishment because he was placed in “special quarters” and on “prevention of injury status” during his pretrial confinement, solely on the basis of the serious nature of the pending charges. The Court determined the conditions of restraint “reasonably related” to a legitimate government objective and that appellant’s basic needs of adequate food, showers, phone calls, mail, and visits were met. The Court therefore denied relief.
United States v. Williams, 68 M.J. (C.A.A.F. 2010).
The accused was placed on suicide watch during pretrial confinement. Conditions of confinement included deprivation of books and radio, 24 hour lighting and wearing a suicide gown. The prisoner received sentencing credit for the entire confinement period, but was denied additional credit based on conditions of confinement, as the Court found that suicide watch status was a non-punitive objective.
Sentencing credit for pretrial punishment does not depend upon the soldier being in pretrial confinement. In United States v. Combs, 47 M.J. 330 (C.A.A.F. 1997), the Court held that reduction in appellant’s rank from Air Force E-6 to E-1 was punishment and rejected prosecution’s argument that “Article 13” only applies to pretrial confinement.
The factors to assist in determining whether pretrial restraint amounts to pretrial punishment were identified in United States v. Smith, 53 M.J. 168 (C.A.A.F. 2000) (citing Francis A. Gilligan & Fredric I. Lederer, Court-Martial Procedure sect. 4-900.00 at 6-37 (2d ed. 1999)).
If there was intent to punish or stigmatize the person pending disciplinary action.
The following cases apply the above factors in determining whether to grant R.C.M 304(k) credit under “Article 13”.
United States v. Mosby, 56 M.J. 309 (C.A.A.F. 2002).
Prior to trial, appellant was placed in solitary confinement for charges of involuntary manslaughter. The Military Judge denied an “Article 13” motion for additional sentence credit finding that there was no intent to punish appellant by placing him in solitary confinement, the conditions were not “unduly rigorous” or “so excessive as to constitute punishment” and the conditions were “reasonably related to legitimate governmental objectives.” The Court of Appeals upheld the lower court’s ruling.
United States v. Fulton, 55 M.J. 88 (2001).
United States v. Coreteguera, Jr., 56 M.J. 330 (2002).
In pretrial confinement, appellant was forced to yell “I couldn’t get it right” out of windows and sing the Air Force song or “song of choice”. He also performed duties similar to post-trial inmates, but not with the inmates. The Military Judge denied appellant’s motion for additional credit under “Article 13”, finding no intent to punish, the conditions of confinement were not unduly harsh or rigorous and the actions of AF personnel were not excessively demeaning or of a punitive nature. The Court of Appeals upheld, stating that the “discomforting administrative measures and ‘de minimis’ imposition on detainees, even if unreasonable, do not warrant credit under Article 13.” The Court also found that the nature, duration, and purpose of the work was not punitive in nature. The Court did, however note that it did not condone the actions of AF personnel.
United States v. Starr, 53 M.J. 380 (C.A.A.F. 2000).
United States v. Cruz, 25 M.J. 326 (C.M.A. 1987).
United States v. Hoover, 24 M.J. 874 (A.C.M.R. 1987 ), petition denied, 25 M.J. 437 (C.M.A. 1987).
United States v. Tilghman, 44 M.J. 493 (C.A.A.F. 1996).
The Military Judge found an insufficient basis for confinement after accused was found guilty and before the sentencing hearing. The Commander, violating the MJ, orders accused into pretrial confinement. The MJ ordered an additional ten day credit for each day of illegal pretrial confinement and at post-trial and the Chief Judge awarded an additional eighteen months of credit.
United States v. Mack, 65 M.J. 108 (C.A.A.F. 2007).
If the issue of illegal pretrial punishment is not raised at trial, it will be waived for appellate purposes, absent plain error. United States v. Inong, 58 M.J. 460 (2003).

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