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
§2P1.3 Engaging In, Inciting or Attempting to Incite a Riot Involving Persons in a Facility for Official Detention: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Every one of the 26 people sentenced under §2P1.3 in fiscal years 2016 to 2025 received a prison term, with a median of 47 months (3.9 years). All 26 pleaded guilty.
§2D3.1 Regulatory Offenses Involving Registration Numbers: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Of 32 people sentenced under §2D3.1 in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 22 (69%) received probation only, and 7 (22%) received a prison term. The median prison term was 4 months. 31 of the 32 pleaded guilty.
§2E5.1 Offering, Accepting, or Soliciting a Bribe or Gratuity Affecting the Operation of an Employee Welfare or Pension Benefit Plan: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Of the 35 people sentenced under §2E5.1 in fiscal years 2017 to 2025, 21 (60%) received a prison term and 11 (31%) received probation only. The median prison term was 15 months. 34 of the 35 pleaded guilty.
§2D1.12 Unlawful Possession, Manufacture, Distribution, Transportation, Exportation, or Importation of Prohibited Flask, Equipment, Chemical, Product, or Material: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
In fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 35 people were sentenced in federal court under §2D1.12. A prison term went to 25 (71%), with a median of 16 months, and 34 of the 35 pleaded guilty. Criminal history varied: 29% were in category I and 11% were in category VI.
§2C1.3 Conflict of Interest: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Most people sentenced under §2C1.3 received probation only. Of 37 people sentenced in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 32 (86%) received probation with no prison or other confinement, and 4 (11%) received a prison term. 36 of the 37 pleaded guilty.
§2M6.1 Unlawful Activity Involving Nuclear Material, Weapons, or Facilities, Biological Agents, Toxins, or Delivery Systems, Chemical Weapons, or Other Weapons of Mass Destruction: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Sentences under §2M6.1 were long. Of 38 people sentenced in federal court in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 36 (95%) received a prison term, with a median of 120 months (10 years). 3 received a life sentence.
§2D1.10 Endangering Human Life While Illegally Manufacturing a Controlled Substance: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
In fiscal years 2016 to 2024, 39 people were sentenced in federal court under §2D1.10, and all 39 pleaded guilty. Of them, 30 (77%) received a prison term, with a median of 29 months (2.4 years). Most sentences were below the guideline range.
§2C1.8 Making, Receiving, or Failing to Report a Contribution, Donation, or Expenditure in Violation of the Federal Election Campaign Act: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
A total of 43 people were sentenced in federal court under §2C1.8 in fiscal years 2016 to 2024, and 25 of them (58%) received a prison term with a median of 15 months. Another 14 (33%) received probation only. 11 of the 43 were convicted after a trial.
§2T1.9 Conspiracy to Impede, Impair, Obstruct, or Defeat Tax: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Of 46 people sentenced under §2T1.9 in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 40 (87%) received a prison term, with a median of 34.5 months (2.9 years). People convicted after a trial had a median of 78 months, compared with 33 months after a guilty plea.
§2H3.1 Interception of Communications: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Under §2H3.1, 17 of 50 people (34%) sentenced in fiscal years 2016 to 2025 received a prison term, while 30 (60%) received probation only. The median prison term for those sent to prison was 12 months. 49 of the 50 pleaded guilty.
§2H3.3 Obstructing Correspondence: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Most people sentenced under §2H3.3 did not go to prison. Of 53 people sentenced in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 44 (83%) received probation only and 5 (9%) received a prison term. All 53 pleaded guilty.
§2G2.6 Child Exploitation Enterprises: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Every person sentenced under §2G2.6, child exploitation enterprises, received prison: 62 of 62 in fiscal years 2016 to 2024. The median prison term was 360 months (30 years), and 7 received a life sentence.
Go deeper: Military Trial Results (every case, members) · Know Your Judge · Learn Your Lawyer (free)
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