Military Trial Results · Analysis
Understanding Trends in Military Practice
Analysis of real court-martial records: what gets charged, how cases end, what sentences look like, how experienced the lawyers of record were, and what changed when the law did.
Every number is computed from the Military Trial Results data, built from the services' public court-martial records. Each post says how many cases it rests on, the years covered, and how we counted. Read how this data was built before citing it.
Browse the Analysis
- By InstallationBases and regions, by time period
- By OffenseUCMJ articles, rising and falling charges
- By ServiceArmy, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps
- By YearWhat each year and month looked like
- SentencesConfinement, discharges, judge alone vs. members
- Counsel ExperiencePrior cases of the lawyers of record
- Law ChangesBefore and after the major reforms
- Episode CompanionsThe numbers behind podcast episodes
Federal Prosecution Analysis
How do federal prosecutions compare with courts-martial? These posts use the U.S. Sentencing Commission's records of everyone sentenced in federal court and the Federal Judicial Center's records of every federal defendant whose case ended, including dismissals and acquittals, for fiscal years 2016 to 2025. They cover sentences, guilty pleas, trials and acquittals, mandatory minimums, and supervised release, offense by offense. Where a federal crime has a close counterpart in the UCMJ, the post sets the two side by side. Where it doesn't, the post reports the federal numbers on their own. For how military law has moved toward the federal system, start with Military Moves Toward Sentencing Guidelines to Mirror the Federal System.
Latest Analysis
Federal Extortion and Racketeering Sentences in the District of Massachusetts, FY2016–2025
In the District of Massachusetts, 75 people were sentenced for extortion and racketeering offenses in fiscal years 2016 to 2024. Of these, 66 (88%) received a prison term, and 7 (9%) received probation only. The median prison term was 21 months, compared with 30 months in all 94 districts for this o
Federal Sexual Abuse Sentences in the District of Massachusetts, FY2016–2025
All 97 people sentenced for sexual abuse offenses in the District of Massachusetts in fiscal years 2016 to 2025 received a prison term. The median prison term was 180 months (15 years), the same as the median across all 94 federal districts for this offense type. A mandatory minimum applied to 81 of
Federal Robbery Sentences in the District of Massachusetts, FY2016–2025
In the District of Massachusetts, 107 people were sentenced for robbery in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, and 106 of them received a prison term. The median prison term was 68 months (5.7 years). The median across all 94 federal districts for robbery was 90 months.
Federal Tax Offense Sentences in the District of Massachusetts, FY2016–2025
149 people were sentenced for tax offenses in the District of Massachusetts in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. 69% received a prison term, with a median of 12 months, compared with 15.1 months for tax cases in all 94 federal districts. Only 11% of sentences were within the guideline range.
Federal Child Pornography Sentences in the District of Massachusetts, FY2016–2025
150 people were sentenced for child pornography (images of child exploitation) offenses in the District of Massachusetts in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, and all 150 received a prison term. The median prison term was 81 months, compared with 90 months in all 94 federal districts. 51% were sentenced bel
Federal Money Laundering Sentences in the District of Massachusetts, FY2016–2025
287 people were sentenced for money laundering in the District of Massachusetts in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. Only 13% of sentences were within the guideline range, compared with 25% for money laundering in all 94 federal districts. The median prison term was 42 months, compared with 40 months natio
Federal Firearms Sentences in the District of Massachusetts, FY2016–2025
444 people were sentenced for firearms offenses in the District of Massachusetts in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. 98% received a prison term, with a median of 37 months, compared with 42 months for firearms cases in all 94 federal districts. A mandatory minimum applied to 7%.
Federal Immigration Offense Sentences in the District of Massachusetts, FY2016–2025
534 people were sentenced for immigration offenses in the District of Massachusetts in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. The median prison term was 8 months, compared with 7 months for immigration cases in all 94 federal districts. 70% of guilty pleas had no written plea agreement.
Federal Fraud, Theft, and Embezzlement Sentences in the District of Massachusetts, FY2016–2025
829 people were sentenced for fraud, theft, or embezzlement in the District of Massachusetts in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. 83% received a prison term, with a median of 18 months, compared with 20 months for this offense type in all 94 federal districts. 69% were ordered to pay restitution.
Federal Drug Trafficking Sentences in the District of Massachusetts, FY2016–2025
1,753 people were sentenced for drug trafficking in the District of Massachusetts in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, which is 36% of all 4,847 people sentenced there. The median prison term was 42 months, compared with 60 months for drug trafficking in all 94 federal districts. Only 25% of sentences were
§2X7.2 Submersible and Semi-Submersible Vessels: Federal Sentences, Fiscal Year 2024
Fiscal year 2024 had 11 people sentenced under guideline §2X7.2, "Submersible and Semi-Submersible Vessels," more than in any other year shown in the yearly table. All 11 pleaded guilty and went to prison, with a median of 38 months. 73% of the sentences were within the guideline range.
§2P1.3 Engaging In, Inciting or Attempting to Incite a Riot Involving Persons in a Facility for Official Detention: Federal Sentences, Fiscal Year 2016
In fiscal year 2016, 11 people were sentenced under guideline §2P1.3, "Engaging In, Inciting or Attempting to Incite a Riot Involving Persons in a Facility for Official Detention." All 11 pleaded guilty and all 11 were sent to prison, with a median of 89 months. That median is higher than the 47 mon
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