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Assault Cases

Since approximately 2019, military prosecutions are moving to organizing around topic, rather than merely assigning cases by military units. With the advent of the general crimes teams in prosecution offices, there has been a sharp increase in the number of assault cases being handled in military courts-martial.

Assault Consummated by a Battery AND Domestic Violence

Because of increased congressional oversight, the military has begun to handle allegations of physical abuse and domestic violence at the trial level, rather than handling such matters through nonjudicial punishment (Article 15 / Captains Mast). As a result, the mere allegation of any physical abuse can result in servicemembers being charged with what is known as AssaultConsummated by a Battery in violation of Article 128. Depending on who is the alleged victim of any assault, the case may be charged under the relatively new offense of Domestic Violence in violation of Article 128b, UCMJ.

When most people hear the word “assault,” they think of a beating with punches and violence. This is not an assault; this is what’s called a Battery or what the military calls an Assault Consummated by a Battery. Legally speaking, an assault (or sometimes what is called a “simple assault) is putting another person in a reasonable apprehension of an imminent harmful or offensive contact, physical injury is not required. Put another way, simply raising your fist and acting like you are about to punch someone, making the person flinch, is an assault. If you then actually hit the person, then you have committed both an assault and a battery. The assault is putting that person in immediate fear of being physically harmed, and the battery is the actual act of causing the physical harm. When the military charges acts of physical violence, it is typically under Article 128, UCMJ – Simple Assault or Assault Consummated by a Battery.

The assault and battery does not have to be a sucker punch to the face. The law considers an assault and battery to be any unwanted (and thereby offensive) touching however slight or an offer to make that unwanted touching. What is an offer? Like the example above, by raising your fist and making the person flinch, you have offered to do harm. In this situation the military might charge Simple Assault.

SIMPLE ASSAULT

To be guilty of Simple Assault under Article 128, UCMJ, the prosecutor must prove:

1. That you attempted or offered to do bodily harm to the alleged victim;
2. That the attempt or offer was done unlawfully; and
3. That the attempt or offer was done with force or violence.

 

MAXIMUM PUNISHMENT FOR SIMPLE ASSAULT

If found guilty of Simple Assault, the maximum punishment is two-thirds Forfeitures of pay and allowances, Reduction to E-1, and 3 months in confinement.

ASSAULT CONSUMMATED BY A BATTERY

To be guilty of Assault Consummated by a Battery under Article 128, UCMJ, the prosecutor must prove three elements:

1. That you did bodily harm to the alleged victim;
2. That the bodily harm was done unlawfully; and
3. That the bodily harm was done with force or violence.

 

MAXIMUM PUNISHMENT FOR ASSAULT CONSUMMATED BY A BATTERY

The maximum punishment for Assault Consummated by a Battery is a Bad Conduct Discharge, Total Forfeitures of all pay and allowances, Reduction to E-1, and 6 months in confinement.

MAXIMUM PUNISHMENT FOR BATTERY ON A CHILD UNDER 16 YEARS

If the alleged victim is a child under 16 years old, the maximum punishment is increased to a Dishonorable Discharge, Total Forfeitures, Reduction to E-1, and 2 years confinement.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Recently congress allowed for the creation of a new UCMJ article specifically for Domestic Violence, Article 128b, UCMJ. This new Article of the UCMJ encompasses many acts, and the offense carries stiffer punishments and lifelong consequences if found guilty.

Under this new UCMJ Article, a person can be found guilty of Domestic Violence if they commit any of the below acts against a spouse, intimate partner, or immediate family member:

Any violent offense;

An offense with the intent to threaten or intimidate;

Violate a protection order with the intent to threaten or intimidate;

Violate a protection order with the intent to commit a violent offense; or

Commit an Assault by Strangulation or Suffocation

What is most interesting about this, is that new acts can now be considered Domestic Violence and carry with it the stiff penalties associated with a Domestic Violence conviction. For example, it has long been a crime to threaten someone, in violation of Article 115, UCMJ – Communicating a Threat. If a husband threatened his wife, he could have been charged with violating Article 115. But now the military can charge someone under 128b, a domestic violence crime, for the same conduct.

MAXIMUM PUNISHMENT FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

On 26 January 2022, the president signed an executive order that established the maximum punishment for Domestic Violence Crimes. Under the new law, the maximum punishment is now a Dishonorable Discharge, Total Forfeitures of all pay and allowances, Reduction to E-1, and confinement. The maximum period of confinement is now based on the underlying offense plus additional years.

A violent offense against a spouse is punishable by that offense’s maximum punishment plus 3 years. For example, a battery normally carries a maximum confinement term of 6 months, however, if the battery is against a spouse, intimate partner, or immediate family member, then it is increased by 3 years, so the maximum confinement could be 3 years and 6 months if charged under Domestic Violence.

An offense with the intent to threaten or intimidate carries a maximum punishment of Dishonorable Discharge, Total Forfeitures of all pay and allowances, Reduction to E-1, and 3 years of confinement.

Violation of a protection order with the intent to threaten or intimidate carries a maximum punishment of a Dishonorable Discharge, Total Forfeitures of all pay and allowances, Reduction to E-1, and 3 years of confinement.

Violation of a protection order with the intent to commit a violent offense carries a maximum punishment of a Dishonorable Discharge, Total Forfeitures of all pay and allowances, Reduction to E-1, and 5 years of confinement.

Assault by Strangulation or Suffocation carries a maximum punishment of a Dishonorable Discharge, Total Forfeitures of all pay and allowances, Reduction to E-1, and:

If committed against a spouse, intimate partner, or immediate family member, confinement for 8 years.

If committed against a child under 16 years, confinement for 11 years.

Additionally, a person’s 2nd Amendment rights are also affected if convicted of Domestic Violence. United States Code, Section 922(g)(9), also known as the Lautenberg Amendment, makes it a felony to possess a firearm or ammunition after being convicted of domestic violence. There are no exceptions for military or police, even while on duty. Therefore, a Domestic Violence conviction has wide ranging consequences and will affect current and future employment if carrying a weapon or ammunition is an essential part of that job.

DEFENSES:

If you or a loved one is charged with Assault, Battery, or Domestic Violence under the UCMJ, there are many defenses that could apply. Each case and each defense are based on the unique facts and circumstances that surround it. The Law Office of Jocelyn C. Stewart is available to help. Please schedule a consultation to see what defenses may apply.

Our Practice Areas

Being a former service member herself and working exclusively on military cases, Ms. Stewart has amassed experience to help in the following areas of the UCMJ:

What Our Clients Say

When faced with the decision of hiring a UCMJ specialist, Ms. Stewart’s former clients explain all that is necessary about her commitment to their case and her expertise in handling the toughest legal battles. Learn more about her unique abilities in the words of her clients, peers, and military judges.