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Stanford v. United States

United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Jun 13, 1969
413 F.2d 1048 (5th Cir. 1969)

Summary

In Stanford the court dealt with a challenge to the validity of a court martial which had culminated in a dishonorable discharge.

Summary of this case from Sims v. Fox

Opinion

No. 27252.

June 13, 1969.

Leland C. Stanford, pro se.

Vernol R. Jansen, Jr., U.S. Atty., Mobile, Ala., for respondent-appellee.

Before BELL, AINSWORTH and GODBOLD, Circuit Judges.


In this pro se case appellant has failed to file a brief within the time fixed by Rule 31, FRAP, and it is therefore appropriate to dispose of this case summarily pursuant to Rule 9(c)(2) of this Court. Stout v. Broom, 5 Cir., 1969, 406 F.2d 758.

Appellant filed a complaint asking the district court to nullify his dishonorable discharge from the armed forces on grounds that he was denied his "constitutional rights" of indictment by a grand jury and a trial by a petit jury. Upon motion of the United States, the complaint was dismissed. We affirm.

Appellant has failed to allege exhaustion of the administrative remedies afforded under the provisions of 10 U.S.C. § 1552. To consider his claims before he has exhausted those remedies would be premature. Beard v. Stahr, 1962, 370 U.S. 41, 82 S.Ct. 1105, 8 L.Ed. 2d 321; Tuggle v. Brown, 5 Cir., 1966, 362 F.2d 801, cert. denied 385 U.S. 941, 87 S.Ct. 311, 17 L.Ed.2d 220 (1966); McCurdy v. Zuckert, 5 Cir., 1966, 359 F.2d 491.

However, even if appellant had exhausted such remedies, he would not be entitled to relief. While the fifth amendment guarantees the right to indictment by grand jury, it also states an exception for cases arising in the armed forces. Ex parte Quirin, 1942, 317 U.S. 1, 63 S. Ct. 1, 87 L.Ed. 3; Owens v. Markley, 7 Cir., 1961, 289 F.2d 751.

Similarly, the guarantee of the right to trial by jury has been held inapplicable to court-martial proceedings. Whelchel v. McDonald, 1950, 340 U.S. 122, 71 S.Ct. 146, 95 L.Ed. 141, rehearing denied 340 U.S. 923, 71 S.Ct. 356, 95 L. Ed. 666; Ex parte Quirin, supra.

Affirmed.


Summaries of

Stanford v. United States

United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Jun 13, 1969
413 F.2d 1048 (5th Cir. 1969)

In Stanford the court dealt with a challenge to the validity of a court martial which had culminated in a dishonorable discharge.

Summary of this case from Sims v. Fox
Case details for

Stanford v. United States

Case Details

Full title:Leland Carter STANFORD, Petitioner-Appellant, v. UNITED STATES of America…

Court:United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit

Date published: Jun 13, 1969

Citations

413 F.2d 1048 (5th Cir. 1969)

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