United States v. Rexroat

38 M.J. 292, 1993 CMA LEXIS 143, 1993 WL 449462

• Court: United States Court of Military Appeals
• Decided: September 29, 1993
• Docket: No. 93-5007; CMR No. 9102033
• Status: Published

Opinions

Opinion of the Court

GIERKE, Judge:

A general court-martial composed of officer and enlisted members convicted Private First Class Rexroat, in accordance with his pleas, of 2 specifications of absence without leave; attempted larceny from a Navy Exchange; and 41 specifications of uttering worthless checks, in violation of Articles 86, 80, and 123a, Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 USC §§ 886, 880, and 923a, respectively. The approved sentence provides for a bad-conduct discharge, confinement for 30 months, total forfeitures, and reduction to Private El.

At trial, PFC Rexroat, appellee in this case, requested credit for 5 days of illegal pretrial confinement, arguing that a magistrate did not conduct a probable-cause review of his pretrial confinement within 48 hours as required by County of Riverside v. McLaughlin, 500 U.S. 44, 111 S.Ct. 1661, 114 L.Ed.2d 49 (1991). The military judge denied the request. The Court of Military Review affirmed the findings and sentence but granted PFC Rexroat 5 days of credit for illegal pretrial confinement. 36 MJ 708, 715 (1992) (en banc).

The Judge Advocate General certified the following questions for our review:

I

DID THE ARMY COURT OF MILITARY REVIEW CORRECTLY CONCLUDE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF RCM 305(c) AND (d) OF THE 1984 MANUAL CANNOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF GERSTEIN [v. PUGH, 420 U.S. 103, 95 S.Ct. 854, 43 L.Ed.2d 54 (1975) ] AND [COUNTY OF] RIVERSIDE [v. MCLAUGHLIN, 500 U.S. 44, 111 S.CT. 1661, 114 L.Ed.2d 49 (1991)]?

II

DID THE ARMY COURT OF MILITARY REVIEW CORRECTLY HOLD THAT THE REVIEW BY LTC [LIEUTENANT COLONEL] RANDALL COULD NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF GERSTEIN AND RIVERSIDE?

Ill

EVEN IF THIS COURT AGREES WITH THE ARMY COURT THAT RCM 305(9 IS THE ONLY AUTHORIZED MEANS TO REVIEW A COMMANDER’S PRETRIAL CONFINEMENT ORDER, IS THE SEVEN DAY TIME LIMIT OF RCM 806® NONETHELESS REASONABLE IN THE MILITARY?

With respect to the first certified issue, we hold that the Court of Military Review was incorrect when they concluded that RCM 305(c) and (d), Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 1984 (see Appendix), cannot meet the requirements of Gerstein and McLaughlin. We hold further that RCM 305(h) complies with Gerstein and McLaughlin when pretrial confinement is reviewed by a neutral and detached commander, if the review is accomplished within the time limits established by McLaughlin.

We answer the second certified issue in the negative. The record establishes that LTC Randall was neutral and detached. Although his review could not satisfy RCM 305(i) because he was not authorized by service regulations to conduct the RCM 305(i) review, his independent review of the probable-cause determination by the unit commander, Major Williams, was not prohibited by law or regulation; was conducted within the time limits established by McLaughlin; and was therefore sufficient to satisfy Gerstein and McLaughlin.

The third certified issue is resolved by our answer to the first certified issue. RCM 305(i) is not the only authorized means to review probable cause for pretrial confinement.

The pertinent facts are undisputed. PFC Rexroat was apprehended for shoplifting at the Pearl Harbor Navy Exchange on June 26, 1991. He was absent without leave at the time. He remained in custody until Major Williams ordered him into pretrial confinement on June 27 in accordance with RCM 305(d).

On June 28, LTC Randall, a unit commander not in PFC Rexroat’s chain of command, was briefed on the facts of the case and determined that there was probable cause to keep PFC Rexroat in confinement. LTC Randall’s authority to review PFC Rexroat’s pretrial confinement was not contested at trial. LTC Randall had no knowledge of the case and was not otherwise involved in the prosecution of PFC Rexroat.

Major Williams reviewed PFC Rexroat’s confinement in accordance with RCM 305(h) and memorialized his findings of probable cause and the need for continued confinement in a memorandum dated July 3, 1991. The timeliness of his RCM 305(h) review is not disputed. Also on July 3, Major Hudson, a judge advocate who had been appointed a military magistrate, conducted a hearing at which PFC Rexroat was represented by military counsel. Major Hudson determined that continued pretrial confinement was appropriate. On August 1, 1991, Major Steen, who apparently was Major Williams’ successor in command, preferred charges against PFC Rexroat.

In Gerstein v. Pugh, 420 U.S. 103, 95 S.Ct. 854, 43 L.Ed.2d 54 (1975), the Supreme Court held that the Fourth Amendment requires a person arrested without a warrant to be given a prompt judicial determination of probable cause as a prerequisite to pretrial detention. This “prompt” judicial determination was to be made by a neutral and detached person independent of the police or prosecutor.

County of Riverside v. McLaughlin, 500 U.S. 44, 111 S.Ct. 1661, 114 L.Ed.2d 49 (1991), went one step further to define what is “prompt” under Gerstein. The Court set out a bright-line rule that probable-cause determinations made after 48 hours of arrest are presumptively untimely. The Court stated:

Where an arrested individual does not receive a probable cause determination within 48 hours, the calculus changes. In such a case, the arrested individual does not bear the burden of proving unreasonable delay. Rather, the burden shifts to the government to demonstrate the existence of a bona fide emergency or other extraordinary circumstance.

500 U.S. at —, 111 S.Ct. at 1670.

In Courtney v. Williams, 1 MJ 267 (CMA 1976), this Court, referring to Ger-stein, held that “those procedures required by the Fourth Amendment in the civilian community must also be required in the military community,” unless military necessity required a different rule. Id. at 270. The Court also held that, since bail does not exist in the military, “a neutral and detached magistrate must decide more than the probable cause question. A magistrate must decide if a person could be detained and if he should be detained.” Id. at 271 (footnotes omitted).

Article 9(d), UCMJ, 10 USC § 809(d), provides: “No person may be ordered into arrest or confinement except for probable cause.” In order to comport with the requirements of Gerstein and Courtney, the President promulgated RCM 305, which implements Article 9(d) and contains specific procedures for pretrial-confinement review. RCM 305(c) and (d) provide that a commissioned officer may order confinement only upon probable cause. RCM 305(h) requires a commander to determine within 72 hours whether pretrial confinement will continue. RCM 305(i) provides for review by “a neutral and detached officer” within 7 days of “the adequacy of probable cause to believe the prisoner has committed an offense and of the necessity for continued pretrial confinement.” Lastly, RCM 305(j) provides for review of “the propriety of pretrial confinement” by a military judge “[o]nce the charges ... are referred to trial.”

The Gerstein requirement for an initial probable-cause determination is addressed in Article 9(d) and RCM 305(d). The required prompt review of probable cause is addressed in RCM 305(h) and (i). The concern expressed in Courtney v. Williams, 1 MJ at 271, for a “bail hearing” substitute is addressed in RCM 305(i). Lastly, RCM 305(j) provides the judicial review by a military judge which was lacking at the time Courtney was decided.

Transposing Gerstein and McLaughlin to military practice requires some discussion of terminology. Gerstein and McLaughlin both involved arrest by civilian police and pretrial detention in a jail house. PFC Rexroat was apprehended and held in custody until his commander could be notified and could determine whether to place him in pretrial confinement. Both “apprehension” and “custody” are terms of art in military law. See RCM 302(a)(1) (“Apprehension is the taking of a person into custody.”). “Custody” may include, physical restraint, albeit temporary. See United States v. Ellsey, 16 USCMA 455, 458-59, 37 CMR 75, 78-79 (1966). “All commissioned, warrant, petty, and noncommissioned officers” may take a person into custody pursuant to RCM 302(b)(2); but only a commissioned officer may order an enlisted person into pretrial restraint and only a commanding officer may order a civilian or officer into pretrial restraint. RCM 304(b). Pretrial confinement is a form of pretrial restraint. RCM 304(a)(4). Thus, when Major Williams ordered PFC Rexroat into pretrial confinement, he was actually continuing the physical restraint of PFC Rexroat in the Navy brig. However, upon execution of Major Williams’ order, PFC Rexroat’s condition legally changed from “custody” to “pretrial confinement.”

The first question we must decide is whether the 48-hour time limit established in McLaughlin applies to the military services. The Judge Advocate General of the Army assumed that it did and issued guidance for implementing it. See 36 MJ at 712-13 n. 5. We agree that the 48-hour time limit imposed by McLaughlin applies to the military services.

The purpose of RCM 305 was to comply with Gerstein and Courtney and their progeny. See Drafters’ Analysis of RCM 305, Manual, supra at A21-14.2 (Change 3). McLaughlin refined Gerstein by defining the outer limits of a “prompt” review of pretrial detention. Applying the Courtney mandate, “[w]e discern no consideration of military necessity that would require a different rule.” 1 MJ at 270.

It is important to note that McLaughlin merely sets up a presumption of untimely review when the 48-hour limit is exceeded. Therefore, if military exigencies prevent completion of probable-cause review within 48 hours, the fact of those exigencies maybe used to rebut the presumption.

The next question is who is constitutionally qualified to conduct the review. PFC Rexroat contends that the probable-cause review must be conducted by a military magistrate. The Government contends that the review need only be made by a neutral and detached official, and that the commander’s initial probable-cause determination under RCM 305(d) and the probable-cause review under RCM 305(h), both of which were accomplished within 48 hours in this case, were sufficient to satisfy Ger-stein and McLaughlin.

In cases involving search authorizations, as opposed to imposition of pretrial confinement which is involved in this case, the question whether a commander may qualify as a neutral and detached magistrate has been the subject of many, often fragmented, opinions from this Court. In United States v. Ezell, 6 MJ 307 (CMA 1979), Judge Perry and Judge Cook held that a commander could act as a neutral and detached magistrate and issue a search authorization. In his principal opinion, Judge Perry wrote:

We decline, however, to hold that military commanders are per se disqualified to act as neutral and detached magistrates ____

In the case of United States v. Ezell, Number 31,304, we have determined that the commander acted as an impartial magistrate and that decision is, accordingly, affirmed.”

6 MJ at 318, 310. Judge Cook wrote:

An undeviating line of cases in this Court has acknowledged that a commanding officer is qualified to act as a neutral and detached magistrate to authorize a search in the military community-

6 MJ at 330. Chief Judge Fletcher had difficulty accepting a commander as a military counterpart to a civilian magistrate, but he recognized that a search authorized by a commander upon a showing of probable cause may be reasonable. 6 MJ at 330.

In United States v. Stuckey, 10 MJ 347 (CMA 1981), Chief Judge Everett, joined by Judge Fletcher, found a search authorization by a commander to be “reasonable.” Chief Judge Everett, however, observed that, while we have “equated” a commander to a federal magistrate, a commander “cannot pass muster constitutionally as a ‘magistrate’ in the strict sense” and that “the commander is not a true ‘magistrate.’ ” 10 MJ at 361.

More recently, in United States v. Lopez, 35 MJ 35 (CMA 1992), we decided that a commander who is neutral and detached is entitled to the same judicial deference on appellate review as a military judge when we review a search authorization for probable cause. Although there were four separate opinions in Lopez, a clear majority of this Court decided that the commander qualified as a neutral and detached magistrate in that case.

Our decisions involving review of pretrial confinement have dealt with review of the necessity for continued pretrial confinement, now covered by RCM 305(i) and (j), rather than the initial probable-cause determination now covered by RCM 305(d) and (h), although there is considerable dicta concerning the latter. In Courtney v. Williams, supra, this Court entertained a petition for extraordinary relief from a Navy prisoner who had requested the military judge to review the propriety of his pretrial confinement. The military judge ruled that, under then-existing procedures, he had no authority to review pretrial confinement, and the petitioner asked for extraordinary relief. In a decision with three separate opinions, this Court denied relief. Chief Judge Fletcher, joined by Senior Judge Ferguson, held that no relief could be granted because the petitioner had been released from confinement. Chief Judge Fletcher examined Gerstein v. Pugh, supra, and the lack of bail procedures in the military and concluded that “a magistrate must decide if a person could be detained and if he should be detained.” 1 MJ at 271. Although joining Chief Judge Fletcher, Senior Judge Ferguson noted that the military judge “certainly is not the only figure” with authority to review pretrial confinement. 1 MJ at 272 n. 2. Judge Cook concurred in the result, stating that a military judge had no authority to review pretrial confinement. 1 MJ at 272.

The Gerstein and Courtney opinions discuss both the initial probable-cause determination, i.e., whether the person “could be detained,” as well as the subsequent review of the necessity for continued pretrial detention, i.e., whether the person “should be detained.” Although the issue before our Court in Courtney dealt only with the question whether the military judge had authority to review the legality of the petitioner’s pretrial confinement, Chief Judge Fletcher’s dicta went beyond the issue in that he opined that a “magistrate” must determine whether the person “could be detained” as well as whether the person “should be detained.” Courtney does not address who qualifies as a “magistrate”; the decision turns on the authority of a military judge to review pretrial confinement.

United States v. Malia, 6 MJ 65 (CMA 1978), considered the issue whether a commander could overrule the decision of a military magistrate releasing a soldier from pretrial confinement. Chief Judge Fletcher, joined by Judge Perry, held that the commander could not overrule the military magistrate. Chief Judge Fletcher stated, “The cases which preceded Courtney directed necessary pretrial confinement hearings to be conducted by a judge. A magistrate by definition is a judge.” 6 MJ at 66 (footnote omitted). Judge Cook dissented, repeating his assertion that the magistrate required by Gerstein need not be a judge. The three cases in the Malia footnote all involved lengthy pretrial confinement. 6 MJ at 66 n.l. In each ease this Court, with Judge Cook dissenting, ordered the military judge to which the case was referred to convene a pretrial session to inquire into the legality of the pretrial confinement. Milanes-Canamero v. Richardson, 23 USCMA 710, 50 CMR 916 (1975); Phillippy v. McLucas, 23 USCMA 709, 50 CMR 915 (1975); Porter v. Richardson, 23 USCMA 704, 50 CMR 910 (1975). Although the Malia opinion contains broad language (“A magistrate by definition is a judge.”), the holding extended only to the authority of a commander to overrule a military magistrate.

In United States v. Lynch, 13 MJ 394 (CMA 1982), the question was whether the staff judge advocate and the special court-martial convening authority were both disqualified from making the decision whether a person should remain in pretrial confinement. Judge Fletcher, joined by Chief Judge Everett, held that neither the staff judge advocate nor the convening authority qualified as a neutral and detached magistrate. In his lead opinion, Judge Fletcher stated that

the following persons authorized by the Code to confine are constitutionally qualified as a judicial officer to make the pretrial confinement decision:

First, a military judge constituted as such within the meaning of Article 26, UCMJ, 10 USC § 826.

Second, a military magistrate empowered by service regulations and untainted by and unconnected with the court-martial referral process.

Third, any other person authorized by the Code to confine who is not directly or particularly involved in the command’s law enforcement function.

13 MJ at 397 (citation omitted). Judge Cook again dissented.

Although many of our prior decisions contain broad dicta arguably applying to the initial probable-cause determination, PFC Rexroat’s case is the first case in which we must squarely decide who is constitutionally qualified to make and review the initial probable-cause determination.

Turning to the facts of this case, we hold that a commander is not per se disqualified to make the initial probable cause review required by Gerstein. The Supreme Court has held that a non-lawyer may be constitutionally qualified to determine whether there is probable cause to detain a person. Shadwick v. City of Tampa, 407 U.S. 345, 92 S.Ct. 2119, 32 L.Ed.2d (1972). We have held that a non-lawyer may be constitutionally qualified to determine whether there is probable cause to search. United States v. Lopez, 35 MJ at 40. We have held that a commander is not per se disqualified to determine whether there is probable cause to search. United States v. Ezell, 6 MJ 307 (CMA 1979); United States v. Lopez, supra. We perceive no reason to treat the determination of probable cause for pretrial confinement differently from probable cause to search. Accordingly, we hold that either of the commander’s probable-cause determinations required by RCM 305(d) or (h) can satisfy Gerstein if the commander is neutral and detached, and can satisfy McLaughlin if conducted within 48 hours.

Major Williams’ determination of probable cause for pretrial confinement was conducted within the McLaughlin time limits. Therefore, either of Major Williams’ actions in accordance with RCM 305(d) and (h) could satisfy Gerstein and McLaughlin if Major Williams was neutral and detached. The charge sheet reflects that he was not the formal accuser in this case. The initial detention of PFC Rexroat was by security personnel at Pearl Harbor and was not at Major Williams’ direction. Thus Major Williams was not reviewing his own decision when he made his RCM 305(d) determination. Whether he was otherwise involved in the case against PFC Rexroat cannot be determined from the record. Accordingly, we are unable to determine if Major Williams was constitutionally qualified to perform the initial probable-cause determination required by Gerstein and RCM 305(d).

We turn next to the probable-cause review conducted by LTC Randall. The record reflects that LTC Randall had no prosecutorial or law enforcement role in this case. We are satisfied, as was the military judge and the court below, that he was neutral and detached; however, as the court below found, LTC Randall was not authorized by Army Regulations to perform the RCM 305(i) review. See 36 MJ at 714. Furthermore, since LTC Randall was not PFC Rexroat’s commander, he was not authorized to perform the RCM 305(h) review. Nevertheless, the record shows no legal impediment to LTC Randall’s conducting the probable-cause review required by Gerstein. While RCM 305 establishes specific procedures for reviewing pretrial confinement, it does not prohibit additional procedures not specifically required by RCM 305, such as LTC Randall’s independent review. As a commissioned officer LTC Randall was empowered to order PFC Rexroat into confinement. Art. 9(b); RCM 304(b)(2). LTC Randall was not “directly or particularly involved in the command’s law enforcement function.” United States v. Lynch, 13 MJ at 397. Therefore, we hold that LTC Randall’s independent review of the probable cause for pretrial confinement complied with Gerstein, Courtney, and Lynch, and was completed within the time limits imposed by McLaughlin.

The review by the military magistrate, Major Hudson, complied with RCM 305(i) and satisfied the Courtney requirement for a “bail” hearing. While Major Hudson was constitutionally qualified to conduct the initial probable-cause review required by Ger-stein, his review does not satisfy McLaughlin because it was not completed within 48 hours.

PFC Rexroat argues that the RCM 305(i) review is the only “authorized” probable-cause review and that, because it did not comply with McLaughlin in this case, he is entitled to relief. We disagree. RCM 305(d), (h), (i), and (j) all provide for a probable-cause review, any one of which, if conducted by a neutral and detached official within 48 hours, would satisfy Ger-stein and McLaughlin.

PFC Rexroat also cites the Drafters’ Analysis of RCM 305 for the proposition that RCM 305(c), (d), and (h) were not intended by the President to be the Ger-stein review. We reject this argument for two reasons. First, the Drafters’ Analysis is a reflection of the drafters’ intent, not necessarily the President’s. See Drafters’ Analysis, Introduction, Manual, supra at A21-3 (“[I]t is important to remember that the Analysis solely represents the views of staff personnel who worked on the project, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the President in approving it, or of the officials who formally recommended approval to the President.”). Second, even if the President intended RCM 305(i) to be the Gerstein review, that intent does not preclude some other probable-cause review from satisfying Gerstein.

In summary, we hold that Major Williams complied with RCM 305(d) and (h). If he was neutral and detached, he also complied with Gerstein and McLaughlin, but we cannot tell from the record whether he qualified as a neutral and detached commander. Nevertheless, LTC Randall’s independent review satisfied Gerstein and McLaughlin, even if Major William’s compliance with RCM 305(d) and (h) did not. Major Hudson’s review satisfied RCM 305(i). Therefore, since Gerstein, McLaughlin, and RCM 305 all were satisfied, PFC Rexroat is not entitled to relief.

The certified questions are answered in the negative.

The decision of the United States Army Court of Military Review is reversed to the extent that it grants PFC Rexroat 5 days of credit for illegal pretrial confinement. In all other respects the decision below is affirmed.

Judge CRAWFORD concurs.

APPENDIX

Extract of RCM 305,

Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 1984

Rule 305. Pretrial Confinement

(d) When a person may be confined. No person may be ordered into pretrial confinement except for probable cause. Probable cause to order pretrial confinement exists when there is a reasonable belief that:

(1) An offense triable by court-martial has been committed;

(2) The person confined committed it; and

(3) Confinement is required by the circumstances.

(h) Notification and action by commander.

(1) Report. Unless the commander of the prisoner ordered the pretrial confinement, the commissioned, warrant, noncommissioned, or petty officer to whose charge the prisoner was committed shall, within 24 hours after that commitment, cause to be made a report to the commander which shall contain the name of the prisoner, the offenses charged against the prisoner, and the name of the person who ordered or authorized confinement.

(2) Action by commander.

(A) Decision. Not later than 72 hours after ordering a prisoner into pretrial confinement, or after receipt of a report that a member of the commander’s unit or organization has been confined, the commander shall decide whether pretrial confinement will continue.

(B) Requirements for confinement. The commander shall direct the prisoner’s release from pretrial confinement unless the commander believes upon probable cause, that is, upon reasonable grounds, that:

(i) An offense triable by a court-martial has been committed;

(ii) The prisoner committed it; and

(iii) Confinement is necessary because it is foreseeable that:

(a) The prisoner will not appear at a trial, pretrial hearing, or investigation, or

(b) The prisoner will engage in serious criminal misconduct; and

(iv) Less severe forms of restraint are inadequate.

(i) Procedures for review of pretrial confinement.

(1) In general. A review of the adequacy of probable cause to believe the prisoner has committed an offense and of the necessity for continued pretrial confinement shall be made within 7 days of the imposition of confinement.

(2) By whom made. The review under this subsection shall be made by a neutral and detached officer appointed in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned.

(j) Review by military judge. Once the charges for which the accused has been confined are referred to trial, the military judge shall review the propriety of pretrial confinement upon motion for appropriate relief.

(k) Remedy. The remedy for noncompliance with subsection (f), (h), (i), or (j) of this rule shall be an administrative credit against the sentence adjudged for any confinement served as the result of such noncompliance. Such credit shall be computed at the rate of 1 day credit for each day of confinement served as a result of such noncompliance. This credit is to be applied in addition to any other credit the accused may be entitled as a result of pretrial confinement served. This credit shall be applied first against any confinement adjudged. If no confinement is adjudged, or if the confinement adjudged is insufficient to offset all the credit to which the accused is entitled, the credit, using the conversion formula under R.C.M. 1003(b)(6) and (7), shall be applied against hard labor without confinement, restriction, fine, and forfeiture of pay, in that order, if adjudged. For purposes of this subsection, 1 day of confinement shall be equal to 1 day of total forfeiture or a like amount of fine. The credit shall not be applied against any other form of punishment.