Navy-Marine Corps Courts-Martial With Article 80 and Article 82, 2021–2026

Trends › By Offense › Article 80 › Navy-Marine Corps, with Article 82

Based on 11 cases · 2021–2026 · Navy and Marine Corps records · data updated October 24, 2026

A Median of 6 Years

There were 10 convictions, and every one of them included confinement. Half of the confinement terms were 6 years or less, and a quarter were 10 years or longer. Across all Navy and Marine Corps Article 80 cases in 2021–2026, the median was 1.1 years.

These figures are the sentences adjudged at trial. Plea-agreement caps, clemency, and appeals can change a sentence later, and those changes are not reflected here. Each sentence covers every charge in the case.

Child Sexual Abuse and General Article Charges

Every case listed at least one article besides Article 80. After Article 82, the most common were Article 134 (general article) in 8 cases, Article 120b (child sexual abuse) in 4, Article 81 (conspiracy) in 2, and Article 115 (communicating threats) in 2.

The records list the articles charged. They do not describe the conduct behind each count.

Nearly All General Courts-Martial

10 of the 11 cases were general courts-martial (91%). In Navy and Marine Corps Article 80 cases overall, the share was 77%.

Only a general court-martial can impose confinement of more than one year or a dishonorable discharge. A special court-martial is limited to one year of confinement and a bad-conduct discharge.

Punitive Discharges

Among 10 enlisted members convicted, 8 received a bad-conduct discharge or a dishonorable discharge (80%). 6 of those 8 were dishonorable discharges. In Navy and Marine Corps-wide Article 80 cases, the share was 77%.

Without a punitive discharge in the sentence, a later administrative separation is still possible.

Mostly Guilty Pleas

9 accused pleaded guilty. 2 contested at least one charge by pleading not guilty to it. The contested share of 18% compares with 31% in Navy and Marine Corps-wide Article 80 cases.

More NCOs Than Junior Enlisted

By rank, the accused were 7 NCOs and 4 junior enlisted members. No officers appear. That makes the group more senior than Navy and Marine Corps-wide Article 80 cases.

Years of Trial

The 11 trials took place from February 2021 through March 2026. There were 4 in 2021 and 1 in each of 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. There were 3 in 2026, which is a partial year.

Rule Changes and Missing Information

Starting December 28, 2023, special trial counsel rather than commanders decide whether covered offenses, such as sexual assault, domestic violence, and murder, go to trial. For a case where all guilty findings are for offenses after December 27, 2023, the military judge sets the sentence using new sentencing parameters. The records have no offense dates, so a trial from 2024 on could be under either set of rules.

Cases settled through nonjudicial punishment, administrative separation, or no action do not appear. The records also leave out the evidence and the plea terms.

For what the offense covers and how it is defended, see Article 80 on the law firm's website. Dates and sources for the law changes: UCMJ change timeline.

About the author. Jocelyn C. Stewart is a retired Army JAG with more than 24 years of trying courts-martial and more than 200 jury trials. She hosts Where All The Bodies Are Buried and runs the Law Office of Jocelyn C. Stewart. This analysis is for education and information only. It is not legal advice, and every case is different.