Military Court Case Study

It was a criminal incident by a military service member that occurred outside a military post in Oahu, Hawaii that changed the way the United States Military Justice System prosecuted cases regarding courts-martial and offenses that attribute to them. On a July evening, a Sergeant in the United States Army was on an evening pass with a friend while checking out the local hotel bar. After some time, the sergeant managed to make his way into the residential part of the hotel where he broke into the room of a young girl where he began to assault then attempt to rape her. The sergeant began his escape on the beach where he was apprehended by hotel security and handed over to the local police. After some questioning, the police determined he was a member of the armed forces and was subsequently handed over to military law enforcement. Through considerable interrogation, the sergeant confessed to his wrongdoings and was placed in confinement. Because of his confession, the sergeant was charged with attempted rape, housebreaking, and assault with intent to rape. Because all charges are violations of articles in the Uniform Code of Military Justice the sergeant was tried by court-martial and convicted on all charges …show more content…
The petitioner (Solorio), filed a motion to have the charges dismissed due to the lack of service connection, saying the offenses that took place at his previous duty station should have no bearing on his service status or punishment as was decided in a previous court ruling. The case was reversed by the United States Court of Military Appeals, then petitioned by Solorio which was again reviewed and affirmed by the Supreme