'Real-Time' Court Martial Cases now Public

SGM Matthew Quick — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 23:14:00 -0500

What are your thoughts about this?

Soldiers can now see a list of pending cases in the Army justice system after the service’s “worldwide docket” went live on Oct. 1.

The Army courts-martial eDocket lists pending cases by base or installation, by circuits and has a search option of cases by name of the person facing a court-martial. It also provides the names of judges presiding over each circuit and has a map of the circuit jurisdictions.

Here is the link:
https://www.jagcnet.army.mil/Apps/TJeDocket/usatjedocket.nsf

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Mar 10 at 2014 3:42 PM

SPC Christopher Smith — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 15:42:57 -0400

I think this is a great idea, but I have a feeling like this is one of those things, it looks good to show, but no real push is going to be made that this information is out there. As much as I agree with MSG Cunningham, that this can show that not everything is swept under the rug, I doubt many people outside of the legal world knows of its existance.

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Nov 19 at 2014 11:02 PM

SFC A.M. Drake — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 23:02:02 -0500

Sorry folks, but the Army got this idea off of the Navy..as they have been posting theirs on Military.com for about a year now! Its a great deterrent for sure!

Response by SSgt Brycen Shumway made Dec 3 at 2014 6:22 PM

SSgt Brycen Shumway — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 18:22:23 -0500

I like the idea. However, I don't in the same sentence.

If a Court Martial is still pending, sensitive information; like names, presiding judges, etc. should NOT be listed with it. At the end of the Court Martial, both parties (Prosecutor and Defense) should be given the opportunity to have their name partially removed (Down to last name) or replaced with something like "The Accused" or "The Victim". (I'm not a legal man, but I'm certain that someone with better "legalese" can find something more appropriate).

Here's the issue I see with it mainly.

Say you have a TSgt (E6), who gets Court Martialled and is reduced to a E4. Obviously its going to be a sour subject, and people in the shop will talk about it in hushed tones. Then he gets transferred out to another AMU, like a PCA instead of a PCS. New squadron command leadership may know who he is, but his peers may not. Now he's given an opportunity to fix his mistakes.
With all the files open to everyone, with all names open, anyone can go looking to see if someone has "issues". Rather than treat the guy like he's new to the squadron and comes with a lot of experience. Now you have an entire office, already on the edge and "iffy" about the new guy in the shop because he got a little too drunk and slapped his wife around.

Having the cases available is one thing. So you can show people, that this stuff happens, you will get caught and you will be met with proper punishment. That I am all for.

Ruining someones chances at being able to start fresh in a new place and try to redeem themselves from a mistake they made. That I am against.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2014 10:21 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 10:21:00 -0500

The Air Force has a similar system. You get to see the name/rank of the accused, and the charges filed against them, along with an estimated court date. You don't get any other information, although it is broken out by base.

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Dec 14 at 2014 2:21 PM

Capt Jeff S. — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 14:21:36 -0500

I'm of the opinion that airing our dirty laundry before the world is not in our national best interest.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Dec 24 at 2014 2:40 PM

SGT Michael Glenn — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 14:40:38 -0500

Why shouldnt this be made public??? too many lie about their time in service when they are kicked out, it used to be you could contact congress every 6 years and have a BCD bumped up, if I were an employer I would want to know if a person I am looking at was discharged for drugs or for stealing or what ever the case may be.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 5 at 2019 7:37 AM

SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 07:37:20 -0400

Things have really changed!