10 U.S.C. § 866 | Art. 66. Courts of Criminal Appeals

(a)

Courts of Criminal Appeals.—

(1)

In general .—

Each Judge Advocate General shall establish a Court of Criminal Appeals which shall be composed of one or more panels, and each such panel shall be composed of not less than three appellate military judges. For the purpose of reviewing court-martial cases, the court may sit in panels or as a whole in accordance with rules prescribed under subsection (h). Any decision of a panel may be reconsidered by the court sitting as a whole in accordance with such rules. Appellate military judges who are assigned to a Court of Criminal Appeals may be commissioned officers or civilians, each of whom must be a member of a bar of a Federal court or of the highest court of a State and must be certified by the Judge Advocate General as qualified, by reason of education, training, experience, and judicial temperament, for duty as an appellate military judge. The Judge Advocate General shall designate as chief judge one of the appellate military judges of the Court of Criminal Appeals established by him. The chief judge shall determine on which panels of the court the appellate judges assigned to the court will serve and which military judge assigned to the court will act as the senior judge on each panel. In accordance with regulations prescribed by the President, assignments of appellate military judges under this section (article) shall be for appropriate minimum periods, subject to such exceptions as may be authorized in the regulations.

(2)

Additional qualifications .—

In addition to any other qualifications specified in paragraph (1), any commissioned officer or civilian assigned as an appellate military judge to a Court of Criminal Appeals shall have not fewer than 12 years of experience in the practice of law before such assignment.

(b)

Review.—

(1)

Appeals by accused .—

A Court of Criminal Appeals shall have jurisdiction over—

(A)

section 860c(a) of this title a timely appeal from the judgment of a court-martial, entered into the record under (article 60c(a)), that includes a finding of guilty; and

(B)

section 869(d)(1) of this title a summary court-martial case in which the accused filed an application for review with the Court under (article 69(d)(1)) and for which the application has been granted by the Court.

(2)

Review of certain sentences .—

section 856(d) of this titleA Court of Criminal Appeals shall have jurisdiction over all cases that the Judge Advocate General orders sent to the Court for review under (article 56(d)).

(3)

Automatic review .—

section 860c of this titleA Court of Criminal Appeals shall have jurisdiction over a court-martial in which the judgment entered into the record under (article 60c) includes a sentence of death, dismissal of a commissioned officer, cadet, or midshipman, dishonorable discharge or bad-conduct discharge, or confinement for 2 years or more.

(c)

Timeliness .—

An appeal under subsection (b)(1) is timely if—

(1)

in the case of an appeal under subparagraph (A) of such subsection, it is filed before the later of—

(A)

section 865(c) of this title the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date the accused is provided notice of appellate rights under (article 65(c)); or

(B)

the date set by the Court of Criminal Appeals by rule or order; and

(2)

section 869(d)(2)(B) of this title in the case of an appeal under subparagraph (B) of such subsection, an application for review with the Court is filed not later than the earlier of the dates established under (article 69(d)(2)(B)).

(d)

Duties.—

(1)

Cases appealed by accused.—

(A)

In general .—

section 860c of this titleIn any case before the Court of Criminal Appeals under subsection (b), the Court may act only with respect to the findings and sentence as entered into the record under (article 60c). The Court may affirm only such findings of guilty as the Court finds correct in law, and in fact in accordance with subparagraph (B).

(B)

Factual sufficiency review .—

(i)

In an appeal of a finding of guilty under subsection (b), the Court may consider whether the finding is correct in fact upon request of the accused if the accused makes a specific showing of a deficiency in proof.

(ii)

After an accused has made such a showing, the Court may weigh the evidence and determine controverted questions of fact subject to—

(I)

appropriate deference to the fact that the trial court saw and heard the witnesses and other evidence; and

(II)

appropriate deference to findings of fact entered into the record by the military judge.

(iii)

If, as a result of the review conducted under clause (ii), the Court is clearly convinced that the finding of guilty was against the weight of the evidence, the Court may dismiss, set aside, or modify the finding, or affirm a lesser finding.

(2)

Error or excessive delay .—

section 860c of this titleIn any case before the Court of Criminal Appeals under subsection (b), the Court may provide appropriate relief if the accused demonstrates error or excessive delay in the processing of the court-martial after the judgment was entered into the record under (article 60c).

(e)

Consideration of Sentence.—

(1)

In general .—

section 856(d) of this titleIn considering a sentence on appeal, other than as provided in (article 56(d)), the Court of Criminal Appeals may consider—

(A)

whether the sentence violates the law;

(B)

whether the sentence is inappropriately severe—

(i)

if the sentence is for an offense for which the President has not established a sentencing parameter pursuant to section 539E(e) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022; or

(ii)

in the case of an offense for which the President has established a sentencing parameter pursuant to section 539E(e) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022, if the sentence is above the upper range of such sentencing parameter;

(C)

in the case of a sentence for an offense for which the President has established a sentencing parameter pursuant to section 539E(e) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022, whether the sentence is a result of an incorrect application of the parameter;

(D)

whether the sentence is plainly unreasonable; and

(E)

section 853(c) of this title in review of a sentence to death or to life in prison without eligibility for parole determined by the members in a capital case under (article 53(c)), whether the sentence is otherwise appropriate, under rules prescribed by the President.

(2)

Record on appeal .—

section 856(d) of this titleIn an appeal under this subsection or (article 56(d)), other than review under subsection (b)(2) of this section, the record on appeal shall consist of—

(A)

any portion of the record in the case that is designated as pertinent by any party;

(B)

the information submitted during the sentencing proceeding; and

(C)

any information required by rule or order of the Court of Criminal Appeals.

(f)

Limits of Authority.—

(1)

Set aside of findings.—

(A)

In general .—

If the Court of Criminal Appeals sets aside the findings, the Court—

(i)

may affirm any lesser included offense; and

(ii)

section 844 of this title may, except when prohibited by (article 44), order a rehearing.

(B)

Dismissal when no rehearing ordered .—

If the Court of Criminal Appeals sets aside the findings and does not order a rehearing, the Court shall order that the charges be dismissed.

(C)

Dismissal when rehearing Impracticable.—

(i)

In general .—

Subject to clause (ii), if the Court of Criminal Appeals orders a rehearing on a charge and the convening authority finds a rehearing impracticable, the convening authority may dismiss the charge.

(ii)

Cases referred by special trial counsel .—

If a case was referred to trial by a special trial counsel, a special trial counsel shall determine if a rehearing is impracticable and shall dismiss the charges if the special trial counsel so determines.

(2)

Set aside of sentence .—

If the Court of Criminal Appeals sets aside the sentence, the Court may—

(A)

modify the sentence to a lesser sentence; or

(B)

order a rehearing.

(3)

Additional proceedings .—

If the Court of Criminal Appeals determines that additional proceedings are warranted, the Court may order a hearing as may be necessary to address a substantial issue, subject to such limitations as the Court may direct and under such regulations as the President may prescribe. If the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces determines that additional proceedings are warranted, the Court of Criminal Appeals shall order a hearing or other proceeding in accordance with the direction of the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.

(g)

Action in Accordance With Decisions of Courts .—

The Judge Advocate General shall, unless there is to be further action by the President, the Secretary concerned, the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, or the Supreme Court, instruct the appropriate authority to take action in accordance with the decision of the Court of Criminal Appeals.

(h)

Rules of Procedure .—

The Judge Advocates General shall prescribe uniform rules of procedure for Courts of Criminal Appeals and shall meet periodically to formulate policies and procedure in regard to review of court-martial cases in the offices of the Judge Advocates General and by Courts of Criminal Appeals.

(i)

Prohibition on Evaluation of Other Members of Courts .—

No member of a Court of Criminal Appeals shall be required, or on his own initiative be permitted, to prepare, approve, disapprove, review, or submit, with respect to any other member of the same or another Court of Criminal Appeals, an effectiveness, fitness, or efficiency report, or any other report or document used in whole or in part for the purpose of determining whether a member of the armed forces is qualified to be advanced in grade, or in determining the assignment or transfer of a member of the armed forces, or in determining whether a member of the armed forces should be retained on active duty.

(j)

Ineligibility of Members of Courts To Review Records of Cases Involving Certain Prior Member Service .—

No member of a Court of Criminal Appeals shall be eligible to review the record of any trial if such member served as investigating officer in the case or served as a member of the court-martial before which such trial was conducted, or served as military judge, trial or defense counsel, or reviewing officer of such trial.

Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041 70A Stat. 59 Pub. L. 90–632, § 2(27)Oct. 24, 196882 Stat. 1341 Pub. L. 98–209Dec. 6, 198397 Stat. 1402 Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title IX, § 924(b)(2)Oct. 5, 1994108 Stat. 2831 Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XI, § 1153Feb. 10, 1996110 Stat. 468 Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LIX, § 5330Dec. 23, 2016130 Stat. 2932 Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title V, § 531(j)Dec. 12, 2017131 Stat. 1385 Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title V, § 542(a)Jan. 1, 2021134 Stat. 3611 Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title VDec. 27, 2021135 Stat. 1698 Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title V, § 544(b)Dec. 23, 2022136 Stat. 2582(, ; , , ; , §§ 7(b), (c), 10(c)(1), , , 1406; , (c)(1), (4)(A), , , 2832; , , ; , , ; , title X, § 1081(c)(1)(K), , , 1598; , (b), , ; , §§ 539A(b), 539E(d), , , 1703; , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
866(a) 866(b)	50:653(a). 50:653(b).	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, § 1 (Art. 66), 64 Stat. 128.
866(c)	50:653(c).
866(d)	50:653(d).
866(e)	50:653(e).
866(f)	50:653(f).

In subsection (a), the word “Each” is substituted for the words “The * * * of each of the armed forces”. The word “must” is substituted for the word “shall” after the word “whom”, since a condition is prescribed, not a command. The words “of the United States” are omitted as surplusage.

In subsections (a) and (b), the word “commissioned” is inserted before the word “officer”.

In subsection (c), the word “may” is substituted for the word “shall” and for the words “shall have authority to”.

In subsection (e), the words “Secretary concerned” are substituted for the words “Secretary of the Department”.

In subsection (f), the words “of the armed forces” and “proceedings in and before” are omitted as surplusage.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

section 539E(e) of Pub. L. 117–81 section 856 of this titleSection 539E(e) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022, referred to in subsec. (e)(1)(B), (C), is , which is set out as a note under .

Amendments

Pub. L. 117–263, § 544(b)(1)section 860c of this title2022—Subsec. (b)(1). , substituted “shall have jurisdiction over—” and subpars. (A) and (B) for “shall have jurisdiction over a timely appeal from the judgment of a court-martial, entered into the record under (article 60c), as follows:

“(A) On appeal by the accused in a case in which the sentence extends to confinement for more than six months and the case is not subject to automatic review under paragraph (3).

section 862 of this title“(B) On appeal by the accused in a case in which the Government previously filed an appeal under (article 62).

section 856(d) of this title“(C) On appeal by the accused in a case that the Judge Advocate General has sent to the Court of Criminal Appeals for review of the sentence under (article 56(d)).

section 869(d)(1)(B) of this title“(D) In a case in which the accused filed an application for review with the Court under (article 69(d)(1)(B)) and the application has been granted by the Court.”

Pub. L. 117–263, § 544(b)(2)Subsec. (c). , substituted “is timely if—” and pars. (1) and (2) for “is timely if it is filed as follows:

“(1) In the case of an appeal by the accused under subsection (b)(1)(A) or (b)(1)(B), if filed before the later of—

section 865(c) of this title“(A) the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date the accused is provided notice of appellate rights under (article 65(c)); or

“(B) the date set by the Court of Criminal Appeals by rule or order.

“(2) In the case of an appeal by the accused under subsection (b)(1)(C), if filed before the later of—

“(A) the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date the accused is notified that the application for review has been granted by letter placed in the United States mails for delivery by first class certified mail to the accused at an address provided by the accused or, if no such address has been provided by the accused, at the latest address listed for the accused in his official service record; or

“(B) the date set by the Court of Criminal Appeals by rule or order.”

Pub. L. 116–283, § 542(a)2021—Subsec. (a). , designated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted heading, and added par. (2).

Pub. L. 116–283, § 542(b)section 860c of this titleSubsec. (d)(1). , amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “In any case before the Court of Criminal Appeals under subsection (b), the Court may act only with respect to the findings and sentence as entered into the record under (article 60c). The Court may affirm only such findings of guilty, and the sentence or such part or amount of the sentence, as the Court finds correct in law and fact and determines, on the basis of the entire record, should be approved. In considering the record, the Court may weigh the evidence, judge the credibility of witnesses, and determine controverted questions of fact, recognizing that the trial court saw and heard the witnesses.”

Pub. L. 117–81, § 539E(d)(1)Subsec. (d)(1)(A). , struck out at end “The Court may affirm only the sentence, or such part or amount of the sentence, as the Court finds correct in law and fact and determines, on the basis of the entire record, should be approved.”

Pub. L. 117–81, § 539E(d)(2)Subsec. (e). , amended subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (e) provided that, in considering sentence on appeal or review, Court of Criminal Appeals may consider whether the sentence violates the law and whether the sentence is plainly unreasonable and detailed what should be included in record on appeal or review.

Pub. L. 117–81, § 539A(b)Subsec. (f)(1)(C). , substituted “Impracticable” for “impracticable” in subpar. heading, designated existing provisions as cl. (i), inserted cl. (i) heading, substituted “Subject to clause (ii), if the Court of Criminal Appeals” for “If the Court of Criminal Appeals”, and added cl. (ii).

Pub. L. 115–91, § 531(j)(1)2017—Subsec. (e)(2)(C). , inserted “by regulation prescribed by the President or” after “required”.

Pub. L. 115–91Subsec. (f)(3). , §§ 531(j)(2)(A) and 1081(c)(1)(K), amended par. (3) identically, substituting “If the Court of Criminal Appeals” for “If the Court”.

Pub. L. 115–91, § 531(j)(2)(B), inserted at end “If the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces determines that additional proceedings are warranted, the Court of Criminal Appeals shall order a hearing or other proceeding in accordance with the direction of the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.”

Pub. L. 114–328, § 5330(d)2016—, substituted “Courts of Criminal Appeals” for “Review by Court of Criminal Appeals” in section catchline.

Pub. L. 114–328, § 5330(e)(1)Subsec. (a). , inserted heading.

Pub. L. 114–328, § 5330(a), substituted “subsection (h)” for “subsection (f)”, inserted “and must be certified by the Judge Advocate General as qualified, by reason of education, training, experience, and judicial temperament, for duty as an appellate military judge” after “highest court of a State”, and inserted at end “In accordance with regulations prescribed by the President, assignments of appellate military judges under this section (article) shall be for appropriate minimum periods, subject to such exceptions as may be authorized in the regulations.”

Pub. L. 114–328, § 5330(b)(2)Subsecs. (b) to (f). , added subsecs. (b) to (f) and struck out former subsecs. (b) to (d) which related to referral of records in certain cases to a Court of Criminal Appeals, criteria by which a Court of Criminal Appeals may act in a referred case, and possible outcomes if a Court of Criminal Appeals sets aside the findings and sentence. Former subsecs. (e) and (f) redesignated (g) and (h), respectively.

Pub. L. 114–328, § 5330(b)(1)Subsec. (g). , (c), (e)(2), redesignated subsec. (e) as (g), inserted heading, substituted “appropriate authority” for “convening authority”, and struck out last sentence which read as follows: “If the Court of Criminal Appeals has ordered a rehearing but the convening authority finds a rehearing impracticable, he may dismiss the charges.”

Pub. L. 114–328, § 5330(b)(1)Subsecs. (h) to (j). , (e)(3)–(5), redesignated subsecs. (f) to (h) as (h) to (j), respectively, and inserted headings.

Pub. L. 104–1061996—Subsec. (f). substituted “Courts of Criminal Appeals” for “Courts of Military Review” in two places.

Pub. L. 103–337, § 924(c)(4)(A)1994—, substituted “Court of Criminal Appeals” for “Court of Military Review” in section catchline.

Pub. L. 103–337, § 924(b)(2), substituted “Court of Criminal Appeals” for “Court of Military Review” wherever appearing.

Pub. L. 103–337, § 924(c)(1), substituted “Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces” for “Court of Military Appeals” in subsec. (e).

Pub. L. 98–209, § 7(b)1983—Subsec. (a). , inserted provision that any decision of a panel may be reconsidered by the court sitting as a whole in accordance with the rules.

Pub. L. 98–209, § 7(c)Subsec. (b). , amended subsec. (b) generally, designating existing provisions as par. (1), struck out provision extending applicability of provisions to sentences affecting a general or flag officer, and added par. (2).

Pub. L. 98–209, § 10(c)(1)Subsec. (e). , substituted “the Court of Military Appeals, or the Supreme Court” for “or the Court of Military Appeals”.

Pub. L. 90–632, § 2(27)(A)1968—Subsec. (a). , (B), substituted “Court of Military Review” for “board of review” in section catchline and, in subsec. (a), substituted “Court of Military Review” for “board of review” as name of reviewing body established by each Judge Advocate General, and inserted provisions setting out procedures for such Courts of Military Review, their composition and functions.

Pub. L. 90–632, § 2(27)(C)Subsecs. (b) to (e). , substituted “Court of Military Review” for “board of review” wherever appearing.

Pub. L. 90–632, § 2(27)(D)Subsec. (f). , substituted “Courts of Military Review” for “boards of review” in two places.

Pub. L. 90–632, § 2(27)(E)Subsecs. (g), (h). , added subsecs. (g) and (h).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title IX, § 924(b)(1)Oct. 5, 1994108 Stat. 2831

“Each Court of Military Review shall hereafter be known and designated as a Court of Criminal Appeals.”

, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 2022 Amendment

Pub. L. 117–263Dec. 23, 2022section 544(d)(1) of Pub. L. 117–263 section 861 of this titleAmendment by not applicable to any matter that was submitted before , to a Court of Criminal Appeals established under this section, see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

section 539A(b) of Pub. L. 117–81Dec. 27, 2021Dec. 27, 2021section 539C of Pub. L. 117–81 section 801 of this titleAmendment by effective on the date that is two years after , and applicable with respect to offenses that occur after that date, with provisions for delayed effect and applicability if regulations are not prescribed by the President before the date that is two years after , see , set out as a note under .

section 539E(d) of Pub. L. 117–81Dec. 27, 2021Dec. 27, 2021section 539E(f) of Pub. L. 117–81 section 853 of this titleAmendment by effective on the date that is two years after , and applicable to sentences adjudged in cases in which all findings of guilty are for offenses that occurred after the date that is two years after , see , set out as a note under .

Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title V, § 542(e)Jan. 1, 2021134 Stat. 3612

“(1)

Qualifications of certain judges .—

Jan. 1, 2021The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [], and shall apply with respect to the assignment of appellate military judges on or after that date.

“(2)

Review amendments .—

section 867 of this title section 860c of title 10The amendments made by subsections (b) and (c) [amending this section and ] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, and shall apply with respect to any case in which every finding of guilty entered into the record under , United States Code (article 60c of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), is for an offense that occurred on or after that date.”

, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 2017 Amendment

section 531(j) of Pub. L. 115–91 Pub. L. 114–328 10 U.S.C. 801 section 531(p) of Pub. L. 115–91 section 801 of this titleAmendment by effective immediately after the amendments made by div. E (§§ 5001–5542) of take effect as provided for in section 5542 of that Act ( note), see , set out as a note under .

section 1081(c)(1)(K) of Pub. L. 115–91 Pub. L. 114–328 10 U.S.C. 801 section 1081(c)(4) of Pub. L. 115–91 section 801 of this titleAmendment by effective immediately after the amendments made by div. E (§§ 5001–5542) of take effect as provided for in section 5542 of that Act ( note), see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

Pub. L. 114–328Jan. 1, 2019section 5542 of Pub. L. 114–328 section 801 of this titleAmendment by effective on , as designated by the President, with implementing regulations and provisions relating to applicability to various situations, see and Ex. Ord. No. 13825, set out as notes under .

Effective Date of 1983 Amendment

Pub. L. 98–209Dec. 6, 1983Pub. L. 98–209 Pub. L. 98–209 section 801 of this titleAmendment by effective first day of eighth calendar month beginning after , but amendments by section 7(b), (c) of not to apply to any case in which the findings and sentence were adjudged by a court-martial before that date, and the proceedings in any such case to be held in the same manner and with the same effect as if such amendments had not been enacted, see section 12(a)(1), (4) of , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1968 Amendment

Pub. L. 90–632 section 4 of Pub. L. 90–632 section 801 of this titleAmendment by effective first day of tenth month following October 1968, see , set out as a note under .

Statutory References to Board of Review Deemed References to Court of Military Review

Pub. L. 90–632, § 3(b)Oct. 24, 196882 Stat. 1343

section 801 of this title“Whenever the term board of review is used, with reference to or in connection with the appellate review of courts-martial cases, in any provision of Federal law (other than provisions amended by this Act) [see Short Title of 1968 Amendment note under ] or in any regulation, document, or record of the United States, such term shall be deemed to mean Court of Military Review [now Court of Criminal Appeals].”

, , , provided that: