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
§2G3.1 Importing, Mailing, or Transporting Obscene Matter: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Of 284 people sentenced under §2G3.1 in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 254 (89%) received prison. The median prison term was 28.9 months (2.4 years). Sentences above the guideline range numbered 94 of 284 (33%).
§2J1.6 Failure to Appear by Defendant: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Of 310 people sentenced under §2J1.6 in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 304 (98%) received prison. The median prison term was 12 months, and it stayed at or near 12 months in most years. A mandatory minimum applied to 16 people (5%).
§2Q1.2 Mishandling of Hazardous or Toxic Substances or Pesticides: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Probation alone was the most common outcome under §2Q1.2 in fiscal years 2016 to 2025: 173 of 321 people (54%). Another 112 (35%) received prison, with a median of 3.5 months. Supervised release was ordered for 100 people (31%).
§2A1.3 Voluntary Manslaughter: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Federal courts sentenced 325 people under §2A1.3 in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, and 324 of them received prison. The median prison term was 99 months (8.2 years). Sentences above the guideline range were given to 118 people (36%).
§2A1.5 Conspiracy or Solicitation to Commit Murder: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
All 339 people sentenced under §2A1.5 in fiscal years 2016 to 2025 received a prison term. The median was 120 months (10 years), and 5 received a life sentence. A mandatory minimum applied to 60 people (18%).
§2B3.2 Extortion by Force or Threat of Injury or Serious Damage: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
In fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 344 people were sentenced in federal court with §2B3.2 as the primary guideline. A prison term went to 325 (94%), and the median was 37 months (3.1 years). A mandatory minimum prison term applied to 17 people (5%).
§2A1.4 Involuntary Manslaughter: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Federal courts sentenced 412 people under §2A1.4 in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. Of those, 384 (93%) received prison, with a median term of 37 months (3.1 years). The sentence was within the guideline range for 185 people (45%) and above it for 100 (24%).
§2B2.1 Burglary of a Residence or a Structure Other than a Residence: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Prison was the usual sentence under §2B2.1. Of 475 people sentenced in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 435 (92%) received prison, with a median of 21 months. Supervised release was ordered for 434 (91%).
§2T1.6 Failing to Collect or Truthfully Account for and Pay Over Tax: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
From fiscal year 2016 through fiscal year 2025, 499 people were sentenced in federal court with §2T1.6 as the primary guideline. A prison term went to 343 (69%), and the median was 12 months. Supervised release was ordered for 343 people, with a median term of 36 months.
§2B5.3 Criminal Infringement of Copyright or Trademark: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Under guideline §2B5.3, 499 people were sentenced in federal court from fiscal year 2016 through fiscal year 2025. Of those, 287 (58%) received a prison term and 142 (28%) received probation only. The median prison term was 12 months, and no mandatory minimum applied to any of the 499.
§2E1.1 Unlawful Conduct Relating to Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Guideline §2E1.1 covers unlawful conduct relating to racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations. In fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 511 people were sentenced under it, 458 (90%) were sent to prison, and the median prison term was 27 months (2.2 years).
§2H1.1 Offenses Involving Individual Rights: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Guideline §2H1.1, Offenses Involving Individual Rights, was the primary guideline for 544 people sentenced in federal court in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. Prison was ordered for 429 (79%), and the median term was 27 months (2.2 years). A total of 132 people were convicted after a trial.
Go deeper: Military Trial Results (every case, members) · Know Your Judge · Learn Your Lawyer (free)
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