United States v. Briggs
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in United States v. Briggs and why it matters. Quotes are taken from the syllabus (the Courtās short summary at the start of the opinion).
Summary
A short, plain-English overview of United States v. Briggs.
The Supreme Court addressed whether the Uniform Code of Military Justice's provision that offenses 'punishable by death' can be tried without a statute of limitations applies to rape convictions. The Court considered whether the phrase 'punishable by death' should be interpreted within the context of the UCMJ itself or in light of broader legal principles, such as the Eighth Amendment. The Court ultimately sided with the government's interpretation, reversing the lower court's decision.
Holding
The single most important ābottom lineā of what the Court decided in United States v. Briggs.
The Court held that respondents' prosecutions for rape under the UCMJ were timely.
Constitutional Concepts
These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in United States v. Briggs. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
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Why Cruel and Unusual Punishment is relevant to United States v. Briggs
The case discusses the applicability of the death penalty for rape under the UCMJ in light of the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Because this Court held that the Eighth Amendment forbids a death sentence for the rape of an adult woman, Coker v. Georgia, 433 U. S. 584, respondents argue that they could not, in fact, have been sentenced to death.
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Why Procedural Due Process is relevant to United States v. Briggs
The case involves the interpretation of a statute of limitations and whether it provides clear procedural rules for prosecutions under the UCMJ.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Statutes of limitations typically provide clarity, see United States v. Lovasco, 431 U. S. 783, 789, and it is reasonable to presume that clarity is an objective when lawmakers enact such provisions.
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in United States v. Briggs that support the summary and concepts above.
Respondents' prosecutions for rape under the UCMJ were timely.
The UCMJ is a uniform code.
Statutes of limitations typically provide clarity.
