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
§2H2.1 Obstructing an Election or Registration: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Of 71 people sentenced under §2H2.1, obstructing an election or registration, in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 37 (52%) received probation only and 29 (41%) received prison. The median prison term was 7 months.
§2D1.5 Continuing Criminal Enterprise: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
All 72 people sentenced under §2D1.5, continuing criminal enterprise, in fiscal years 2016 to 2025 received prison. The median prison term was 240 months (20 years), and 8 received a life sentence. A mandatory minimum applied to 70 (97%).
§2E1.4 Use of Interstate Commerce Facilities in the Commission of Murder-For-Hire: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Prison was ordered for 79 of 82 people (96%) sentenced under §2E1.4, murder-for-hire using interstate commerce facilities, in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. The median prison term was 87 months (7.2 years).
§2T3.1 Evading Import Duties or Restrictions (Smuggling): Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Under §2T3.1, evading import duties or restrictions (smuggling) and receiving or trafficking in smuggled property, federal courts sentenced 84 people in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. Prison was ordered for 44 (52%), with a median prison term of 5.1 months. Only 1 person was convicted after a trial.
§2E2.1 Making or Financing an Extortionate Extension of Credit: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Guideline §2E2.1, on making or financing an extortionate extension of credit or collecting one by extortionate means, produced prison terms for 86 of 99 people (87%) sentenced in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. The median prison term was 30 months (2.5 years).
§2B3.3 Blackmail and Similar Forms of Extortion: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Federal courts sentenced 100 people under §2B3.3, blackmail and similar forms of extortion, in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. Prison was ordered for 61, and the median prison term was 13.9 months. No mandatory minimum applied to anyone.
§2H4.1 Peonage, Involuntary Servitude, and Slave Trade: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Under §2H4.1, which covers peonage, involuntary servitude, and slave trade, 95 of 104 people (91%) sentenced in fiscal years 2016 to 2025 received prison. The median prison term was 72 months (6 years), and 1 person received a life sentence.
§2J1.4 Impersonation: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Of 110 people sentenced under §2J1.4, the impersonation guideline, in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 66 (60%) received a prison term. The median prison term was 6.6 months. Trials were more common here than in many small guidelines: 11 people were convicted after a trial.
§2C1.2 Offering, Giving, Soliciting, or Receiving a Gratuity: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Federal courts sentenced 112 people under §2C1.2, the guideline for offering, giving, soliciting, or receiving a gratuity, in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. Prison was ordered for 52 (46%), with a median prison term of 12 months. Among guilty pleas, 100% had a written plea agreement.
§2N1.1 Tampering or Attempting to Tamper Involving Risk of Death or Bodily Injury: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Most people sentenced under §2N1.1 in fiscal years 2016 to 2025 went to prison: 95 of 116 (82%). The median prison term was 26 months (2.2 years). Almost all pleaded guilty, 114 of 116 (98%).
§2K2.5 Possession of Firearm or Dangerous Weapon in Federal Facility: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Federal courts sentenced 132 people under §2K2.5 in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. Of those, 78 (59%) received a prison term, with a median prison term of 11.2 months, and 46 (35%) received probation only. Of the 132, 130 (98%) pleaded guilty.
§2X1.1 Attempt, Solicitation, or Conspiracy (Not Covered by a Specific Offense Guideline): Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Guideline §2X1.1 applied as the primary guideline to 152 people sentenced from fiscal year 2016 to fiscal year 2025. 136 (89%) received prison, and the median prison term was 36 months, or 3 years. A mandatory minimum applied to 13 people (9%).
Go deeper: Military Trial Results (every case, members) · Know Your Judge · Learn Your Lawyer (free)
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