United States v. Downing

Opinion of the Court

PER CuRíam:

In a trial before a special court-martial, the accused entered a plea of guilty to an eight-day absence without authority, in violation of Article 86, Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 USC § 886. The president of the court gave the usual instructions on the legal effect of the plea and then informed the accused that he could be sentenced to the maximum punishment for the offense to which he pleaded guilty. The accused acknowledged that he understood the meaning and effect of his judicial confession and persisted in acknowledging his guilt. Thereafter the…