Any  unexecuted  part  of  a  suspended  sentence ordered vacated is vacated at this point. CLEMENCY What is clemency? Clemency is defined as that action, other than the correction of a legal error, that results in mitigation, remission, or suspension of the whole  or  any  part  of  the  unexecuted  portion  of  a court-martial sentence, restoration to duty, or full or partial  restoration  of  paygrade. RECOMMENDATION FOR CLEMENCY When  an  accused  is  convicted,  an  important posttrial duty of the DC is to prepare, in a proper case, a  recommendation  for  clemency.  The  recommendation is made to the CA. However, since the recommendation is attached to the record of trial, it can be considered by any reviewing authority who has the power to act upon the  recommendations;  for  example,  JAG  or  the NMCMR. The   DC   usually   initiates   the recommendation for clemency. However, it may also be initiated by a court member. Mitigating  circumstances  that  could  not  be  taken into consideration in determining the sentence may be a basis for a recommendation for clemency; either the court  members  or  the  military  judge  may  wish  to recommend  that  the  CA  suspend  the  sentence  since  the court has no power to award a suspended sentence. The recommendation should be specific as to the reasons for the  recommendation.  A  recommendation  for  clemency should never be based upon a doubt as to the accused’s guilt. When  considered  appropriate,  disposition  boards, commanding officers, or BUPERS may, with respect to the unexecuted parts of a sentence, recommend one or more  of  the  following: Restoration  to  duty  on  probation Remission  of  the  punitive  discharge  or  dismissal Reduction in confinement, forfeitures, or fines Mitigation of the discharge to one less severe Full   or   partial   restoration   to   paygrade   or precedence No clemency NAVAL CLEMENCY AND PAROLE BOARD The   Naval   Clemency   and   Parole   Board   was established   by   SECNAV   to   make   appropriate recommendations in the cases of Navy and Marine Corps personnel eligible for clemency consideration. The  board  is  composed  of  representatives  of  the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Chief of Naval Personnel,  the  Judge  Advocate  General,  the  Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, and the Navy Council of   Personnel   Boards. The   board   bases   its recommendations on the background of the individual concerned—his  or  her  civil  and  military  history, adjustment  in  confinement  or  while  awaiting completion  of  appellate  review  if  not  confined, motivation   for   future   service,   the   nature   and circumstances of the offense(s), the recommendation of the commanding officer, and the recommendation of the Chief of Naval Personnel. Recommendations  to  the  Naval  Clemency  and Parole  Board  must  comply  with  the  provisions  of SECNAVINST  5815.3.  This  instruction  sets  forth explicit directions and procedures for the submission of requests  for  clemency.    At a minimum, the following documents  must  be  submitted  with  a  request  for clemency: l l l l l Petitioner’s  request Court-martial  progress  report Court-martial  order  and  any  supplementary court-martial  orders Judge  advocate’s  review The record of trial SUMMARY The material covered in this chapter is an important aspect of the total court-martial procedure. The posttrial actions required after a court-martial has adjourned is just  another  aspect  of  the  Legalman  rating.  Normally those LNs assigned to duty with a CA/SJA will handle the larger part of posttrial administrative work. These procedures are very important and the regulations governing them must be strictly followed in order to guarantee cases will not be overturned on appeal. 8-34