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 Robbery Sentences in the Eastern District of Michigan, FY2016–2025
Of 341 people sentenced for robbery in the Eastern District of Michigan in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 337 (99%) received a prison term, with a median of 90 months (7.5 years). That median is the same as for all 94 federal districts. After a trial, the median was 396 months, based on 21 people.
Federal Immigration Offense Sentences in the Eastern District of Michigan, FY2016–2025
In the Eastern District of Michigan, 1,091 people were sentenced for immigration offenses in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. The median prison term was 3.6 months, compared with 7 months for all 94 federal districts. Nearly all pleaded guilty, and 3 were convicted after a trial.
Federal Fraud, Theft, and Embezzlement Sentences in the Eastern District of Michigan, FY2016–2025
In the Eastern District of Michigan, 1,229 people were sentenced for fraud, theft, and embezzlement in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, and 1,012 (82%) received a prison term. The median was 24 months (2 years), compared with 20 months for all 94 federal districts. Restitution was ordered for 1,103 (90%).
Federal Firearms Sentences in the Eastern District of Michigan, FY2016–2025
In the Eastern District of Michigan, 1,584 people were sentenced for firearms offenses in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. The median prison term was 36 months (3 years), lower than the 42 months for all 94 federal districts. Mandatory minimums applied to 146 people (9%), and 51% received a sentence below
Federal Drug Trafficking Sentences in the Eastern District of Michigan, FY2016–2025
In the Eastern District of Michigan, 1,692 people were sentenced for drug trafficking in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, which is 23% of all 7,508 people sentenced there. The median prison term was 60 months (5 years), the same as for all 94 federal districts. Sentences within the guideline range were 26
Federal Burglary and Trespass Sentences in the Eastern District of Texas, FY2016–2025
All 12 people sentenced for burglary or trespass offenses in the Eastern District of Texas in fiscal years 2017 to 2024 pleaded guilty, and all 12 received a prison term. The median prison term was 31.5 months (2.6 years). For this offense type in all 94 federal districts, the median was 18 months.
Federal Environmental Offense Sentences in the Eastern District of Texas, FY2016–2025
Probation only was the most common result for environmental offenses in the Eastern District of Texas: 8 of 17 people (47%) received it, against 7 (41%) who received a prison term. The 17 were sentenced in fiscal years 2016 to 2024. For environmental offenses in all 94 federal districts, 28% were se
Federal National Defense Offense Sentences in the Eastern District of Texas, FY2016–2025
In the Eastern District of Texas, 19 people were sentenced for national defense offenses in fiscal years 2016 to 2024, and all 19 received a prison term. The median prison term was 46 months (3.8 years), compared with 24 months across all 94 federal districts. Most of the cases were arms export case
Federal Murder Sentences in the Eastern District of Texas, FY2016–2025
In the Eastern District of Texas, 19 people were sentenced for murder offenses in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. Every one received a prison term, and the median was 360 months (30 years). Life sentences were given to 3 people. Across all 94 federal districts, the median prison term for murder was 240 m
Federal Other Offense Sentences in the Eastern District of Texas, FY2016–2025
The Commission's "Other" offense type covers cases that do not fit its named categories. In the Eastern District of Texas, 25 people were sentenced under it in fiscal years 2017 to 2024, and 19 (76%) received a prison term. The median prison term was 38 months, compared with 0.2 months across all 94
Federal Kidnapping Sentences in the Eastern District of Texas, FY2016–2025
The median prison term for kidnapping in the Eastern District of Texas was 180 months (15 years) for 26 people sentenced in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. All 26 received a prison term, and 1 received a life sentence. Across all 94 federal districts, the median for kidnapping was 155 months.
Federal Commercialized Vice Sentences in the Eastern District of Texas, FY2016–2025
Of the 27 people sentenced for commercialized vice offenses in the Eastern District of Texas in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 14 (52%) received probation only and 13 (48%) received a prison term. The median prison term was 12 months. Across all 94 federal districts, 70% of people sentenced for this off
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