Absence without leave. UCMJ Article 86

Absence without leave – Article 86, UCMJ

Failure to Go to Appointed Place of Duty (Failure to Repair). UCMJ art. 86(1)

Leaving Place of Duty. Article 86(2)

Mens Rea Under Article 86, UCMJ

1. Specific intent is not an element of the Article 86 offenses, but it is necessary to pleadand prove specific intent for certain aggravating factors ( e.g. , intent to avoid field maneuvers or field exercises). MCM, pt. IV,  10c(3) and (4).
2. Unauthorized absence requires is a general intent crime, whereas desertion under Article 85 requires specific intent. United States v. Holder , 22 C.M.R. 3 (C.M.A. 1956).

Attempts. Attempted AWOL may be a lesser included offense of desertion and attempteddesertion. United States v. Evans , 28 M.J. 753 (A.F.C.M.R. 1989), aff’d , 29 M.J. 331 (C.M.A. 1989).

Multiplicity/Unreasonable Multiplication of Charges

1. Multiplicity: AWOL & breaking restriction covering same time period. UnitedStates v. Hudson, 58 M.J. 357 (C.A.A.F. 2004).
2. Unreasonable multiplication of charges: multiple failures to repair & dereliction ofduty. United States v. Taylor , 26 M.J. 7 (C.M.A. 1988).

Lesser included Offenses

1. Article 86(1) is not a lesser included offense of Article 86(3). United States v. Reese ,7 C.M.R. 292 (A.B.R. 1953).
2. Article 86(3) is not a lesser included offense of Article 86(1) or (2). United States v.Sturkey , 50 C.M.R. 110 (A.C.M.R. 1975).