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 Other Offense Sentences in the District of Kansas, FY2016–2025
Of 92 people sentenced under the Commission's offense type "Other" in the District of Kansas in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 73 (79%) received probation only and 18 (20%) received prison. A fine was ordered for 50 people (54%). In all 94 federal districts, 38% were sent to prison.
Federal Child Pornography Sentences in the District of Kansas, FY2016–2025
In fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 146 people were sentenced in the District of Kansas for child pornography (images of child exploitation) offenses. The median prison term was 103.5 months (8.6 years), compared with 90 months across all 94 federal districts. A mandatory minimum applied to 95 of the 146
Federal Prison Offense Sentences in the District of Kansas, FY2016–2025
Prison offense cases were 4% of the 4,217 people sentenced in the District of Kansas in fiscal years 2016 to 2025: 148 people. The median prison term was 12 months, compared with 10 months across all 94 federal districts. Of the 148, 41% were in the highest criminal history category.
Federal Robbery Sentences in the District of Kansas, FY2016–2025
Of 163 people sentenced for robbery in the District of Kansas in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 160 (98%) received prison. The median prison term was 71.5 months (6 years), compared with 90 months for robbery in all 94 federal districts. Restitution was ordered for 109 people (67%).
Federal Immigration Offense Sentences in the District of Kansas, FY2016–2025
Immigration cases were 7% of the 4,217 people sentenced in the District of Kansas in fiscal years 2016 to 2025: 291 people. The median prison term was 8 months, compared with 7 months across all 94 federal districts. Nearly all pleaded guilty: 290 of 291.
Federal Fraud, Theft, and Embezzlement Sentences in the District of Kansas, FY2016–2025
Of 465 people sentenced for fraud, theft, or embezzlement in the District of Kansas in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 279 (60%) received prison and 168 (36%) received probation only. In all 94 federal districts, 73% were sent to prison. Restitution was ordered for 328 people (71%).
Federal Firearms Sentences in the District of Kansas, FY2016–2025
Firearms cases were 20% of the 4,217 people sentenced in the District of Kansas in fiscal years 2016 to 2025: 862 people. The median prison term was 37 months, shorter than the 42 months for firearms cases in all 94 federal districts. Sentences were within the guideline range for 49%.
Federal Drug Trafficking Sentences in the District of Kansas, FY2016–2025
Drug trafficking made up 34% of the 4,217 people sentenced in the District of Kansas in fiscal years 2016 to 2025: 1,417 people. The median prison term was 70 months, compared with 60 months for drug trafficking in all 94 federal districts. For 56%, the sentence was below the guideline range at the
Federal National Defense Offense Sentences in the District of Colorado, FY2016–2025
The District of Colorado sentenced 10 people for national defense offenses in fiscal years 2016 to 2024, and none received a sentence within the guideline range: 5 were below it at the government's request and 5 were below it without that request. The median prison term was 36 months (3 years), comp
Federal Obscenity and Other Sex Offense Sentences in the District of Colorado, FY2016–2025
All 11 people sentenced in the "Obscenity/Other Sex Offenses" type in the District of Colorado in fiscal years 2016 to 2025 were sentenced under §2A3.5 (Failure to Register as a Sex Offender), and all 11 received a prison term. The median prison term was 18 months, the same as for all 94 districts.
Federal Kidnapping Sentences in the District of Colorado, FY2016–2025
In the District of Colorado, 9 of the 12 people sentenced for kidnapping offenses in fiscal years 2017 to 2025 (75%) received a sentence below the guideline range at the government's request. The median prison term was 33 months (2.8 years), compared with 155 months for all 94 districts. Only 2 sent
Federal Murder Sentences in the District of Colorado, FY2016–2025
All 12 people sentenced for murder offenses in the District of Colorado in fiscal years 2016 to 2025 received a prison term, and 4 received a life sentence. The median prison term was 246 months (20.5 years), compared with 240 months for all 94 districts. 7 of the 12 (58%) pleaded guilty, and 5 were
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