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
§2T1.4 Aiding, Assisting, Procuring, Counseling, or Advising Tax Fraud: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Under §2T1.4, Aiding, Assisting, Procuring, Counseling, or Advising Tax Fraud, 1,451 people were sentenced in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. Sentences below the guideline range without a government request were the largest single group at 47%, and the median prison term was 21 months.
§2B5.1 Offenses Involving Counterfeit Bearer Obligations of the United States: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Guideline §2B5.1, Offenses Involving Counterfeit Bearer Obligations of the United States, was the primary guideline for 1,486 people sentenced in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. A prison term went to 1,244 (84%), and the median was 18 months. The yearly count fell from 280 in 2016 to 40 in 2025.
§2A2.1 Assault with Intent to Commit Murder: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Of 1,534 people sentenced under §2A2.1, Assault with Intent to Commit Murder; Attempted Murder, in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 1,533 received a prison term. The median was 120 months (10 years), and 16 received a life sentence. A mandatory minimum applied to 477 (31%).
§2P1.2 Providing or Possessing Contraband in Prison: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Federal courts sentenced 1,552 people under §2P1.2, Providing or Possessing Contraband in Prison, in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. A prison term went to 1,437 (93%). The median prison term was 9 months after a guilty plea and 30 months after a trial.
§2A6.1 Threatening or Harassing Communications: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Under §2A6.1, Threatening or Harassing Communications; Hoaxes; False Liens, 1,558 people were sentenced in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. A prison term went to 1,361 (87%), and the median was 18 months after a guilty plea and 37 months after a trial.
§2S1.3 Structuring Transactions to Evade Reporting Requirements: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
In fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 1,782 people were sentenced in federal court under §2S1.3, the guideline for structuring transactions and related reporting offenses. A prison term went to 1,328 (75%), and the median was 10 months. After a trial the median was 17 months.
§2X5.2 Class A Misdemeanors (Not Covered by Another Specific Offense Guideline): Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Guideline §2X5.2 covers Class A misdemeanors not covered by another specific offense guideline. In fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 2,037 people were sentenced under it. Probation only went to 995 (49%), prison to 987 (48%), and the median prison term was 3 months.
§2C1.1 Offering, Giving, Soliciting, or Receiving a Bribe: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Under §2C1.1, the bribery and official-corruption guideline, 2,058 people were sentenced in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. The median prison term was 19 months, which was 18 months after a guilty plea and 45 months after a trial. Only 20% of sentences were within the guideline range.
§2A2.4 Obstructing or Impeding Officers: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Of 2,105 people sentenced under §2A2.4, Obstructing or Impeding Officers, in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 1,814 (86%) received a prison term. The median prison term was 12 months, and it was 12 months after both guilty pleas and trials.
§2X4.1 Misprision of Felony: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Federal courts sentenced 2,122 people under guideline §2X4.1, Misprision of Felony, in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. All 2,122 pleaded guilty, 1,150 (54%) received a prison term, and the median prison term was 12 months. A mandatory minimum applied to 1 person.
§2A1.1 First Degree Murder: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Federal courts sentenced 2,592 people under the first degree murder guideline, §2A1.1, in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. The median prison term was 300 months (25 years), and 654 people received a life sentence. 74% pleaded guilty.
§2P1.1 Escape, Instigating or Assisting Escape: Federal Sentences, FY2016–2025
Federal courts sentenced 2,807 people under §2P1.1, the escape guideline, in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. 99% received prison, and the median prison term was 12 months. Only 13 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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