United States v. Dufour

DECISION

The accused, without authority, left his organization at Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois, on 7 September 1977, and remained absent until he returned on 8 July 1982. On 1 October 1982, charges were preferred alleging an absence without leave starting, not on 7 September 1977, the date of departure, but 2 October 1980, and continuing until 8 July 1982, because the prosecution believed apparently, this lesser period would not be affected by the statute of limitations. Article 43(c), U.C.M.J., 10 U.S.C. § 843(c).1

Pursuant to his pleas, the accused was convicted of absence without leave for the period 12 February 1982 to 8 July 19822 in violation of Article 86, 10 U.S.C. § 886 of the Code. The approved sentence extends to a bad conduct discharge, confinement at hard labor for four months, and the forfeiture of $100.00 per month for four months.

In a single assignment of error, which the Government concedes, the accused argues that his prosecution is barred by the statute of limitations which he did not waive.

We agree. Absence without leave is not a continuing offense. Rather, it is complete when the individual first so absents himself. United States v. Rodgers, 23 U.S.C.M.A. 389, 50 C.M.R. 271 (1975); United States v. Emerson, 1 U.S.C.M.A. 43, 1 C.M.R. 43 (1951). Accordingly, charges must be preferred and delivered to the officer exercising summary court-martial jurisdiction within two years of the beginning of the absence. Article 43(c), Code, supra; *1018M.C.M., 1969 (Rev.) para. 68e. This was not accomplished here. Further, there is no indication in the record that the accused was advised of his right to assert the statute of limitations or that he consciously waived the right. United States v. Harp, 37 C.M.R. 960 (A.F.B.R. 1967): United States v. Taylor, 1 C.M.R. 293 (A.B.R. 1951). Under the circumstances, the findings of guilty and the sentence cannot be sustained. Accordingly, the charges are dismissed.

dissenting:

I agree that the authorities cited by the majority stand for the proposition that A.W.O.L. is not a continuing offense. In my opinion, however, this is the least well-reasoned rule of law currently existing in military jurisprudence.

Believing that the cases originally enunciating this seemingly bizarre rule of law would be decided differently today, I reject the notion of continuing to slavishly apply the antiquated holdings. The half-century old bedevilment of effective military justice administration resulting from these obsolete holdings need not and should not continue.

I would affirm the conviction below.