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 Central District of California, FY2016–2025
In the Central District of California, 103 people were sentenced for extortion and racketeering offenses in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, and 90 (87%) received a prison term. The median prison term was 26.5 months (2.2 years), compared with 30 months for all 94 districts. Within-range sentences were 28
Federal Sexual Abuse Sentences in the Central District of California, FY2016–2025
The median prison term for sexual abuse offenses in the Central District of California was 180 months (15 years), the same as for all 94 districts. Of the 124 people sentenced in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 119 (96%) received prison, and 5 received a life sentence. A mandatory minimum applied to 97 p
Federal Other Offense Sentences in the Central District of California, FY2016–2025
Most people sentenced in the U.S. Sentencing Commission's "Other" offense category in the Central District of California received probation only. Of 170 people in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 127 (75%) received probation only and 28 (16%) received prison, with a median prison term of 0.8 months. A fin
Federal Bribery and Corruption Sentences in the Central District of California, FY2016–2025
In the Central District of California, 56% of the 178 people sentenced for bribery and corruption offenses in fiscal years 2016 to 2025 were below the guideline range at the government's request. Only 15% were within it. The median prison term was 18 months, the same as for all 94 districts.
Federal Tax Offense Sentences in the Central District of California, FY2016–2025
Of 194 people sentenced for tax offenses in the Central District of California in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 116 (60%) received a prison term and 40 (21%) received probation only. The median prison term was 15 months, about the same as the 15.1 months for all 94 districts. Restitution was ordered fo
Federal Child Pornography Sentences in the Central District of California, FY2016–2025
In fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 235 people were sentenced in the Central District of California for child pornography (images of child exploitation) offenses. Of the 235, 232 (99%) received a prison term, and the median was 60 months (5 years). Supervised release for life was ordered for 102 people (4
Federal Robbery Sentences in the Central District of California, FY2016–2025
Of the 304 people sentenced for robbery offenses in the Central District of California in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 302 (more than 99%) received a prison term. The median prison term was 72 months (6 years), compared with 90 months for all 94 districts. A mandatory minimum applied to 117 people (38
Federal Money Laundering Sentences in the Central District of California, FY2016–2025
In the Central District of California, 53 of the 336 people sentenced for money laundering offenses in fiscal years 2016 to 2025 were convicted after a trial. The median prison term was 27 months after a guilty plea and 76.5 months after a trial. Among all those sent to prison, the median was 30 mon
Federal Firearms Sentences in the Central District of California, FY2016–2025
The median prison term for firearms offenses in the Central District of California was 33 months (2.8 years) among the 867 people (93%) sent to prison. In fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 933 people were sentenced in this offense type. The median for all 94 districts was 42 months.
Federal Immigration Offense Sentences in the Central District of California, FY2016–2025
In the Central District of California, 55% of the 984 people sentenced for immigration offenses in fiscal years 2016 to 2025 received a sentence below the guideline range at the government's request. Only 29% were within the range. The median prison term was 15 months, compared with 7 months for all
Federal Fraud, Theft, and Embezzlement Sentences in the Central District of California, FY2016–2025
Of 2,512 people sentenced for fraud, theft, and embezzlement offenses in the Central District of California in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 1,971 (78%) received a prison term and 372 (15%) received probation only. The median prison term was 24 months. Restitution was ordered for 1,836 people (73%).
Federal Drug Trafficking Sentences in the Central District of California, FY2016–2025
Drug trafficking made up 31% of the 9,958 people sentenced in the Central District of California in fiscal years 2016 to 2025: 3,124 people. A mandatory minimum prison term applied to 80% of those with the information recorded. The median prison term was 63 months, compared with 60 months for this o
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