United States v. Browning

As the lead opinion points out, “Whether an adjudication by one of the several states is a conviction is a matter of state law.” 29 MJ 174, 175 See United States v. Hughes, 26 MJ 119 (CMA 1988). A South Carolina statute provides that “entry of any plea of guilty, the forfeiture of any bail posted or the plea of nolo contendere for” driving “under the influence of intoxicating liquor, drugs or narcotics shall have the same effect as a conviction after trial” for certain purposes. South Carolina Code Annotated § 56-5-2960 (emphasis added). See also § 56-5-2970 (Reports to [State Highway]…