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 Assault Sentences in the Northern District of Iowa, FY2016–2025
The Northern District of Iowa sentenced 31 people for assault offenses in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. The median prison term was 102 months (8.5 years), compared with 42 months for all 94 federal districts. Of the 31, 26% were sentenced above the guideline range.
Federal Money Laundering Sentences in the Northern District of Iowa, FY2016–2025
In the Northern District of Iowa, 34 people were sentenced for money laundering in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, and the median prison term was 59 months (4.9 years). For all 94 federal districts the median was 40 months. A quarter of the Iowa group received 178.8 months or more.
Federal Robbery Sentences in the Northern District of Iowa, FY2016–2025
In the Northern District of Iowa, 41 people were sentenced for robbery in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, and the median prison term was 117 months (9.8 years). For all 94 federal districts the median was 90 months. After a trial the median was 222 months, based on 5 people.
Federal Sexual Abuse Sentences in the Northern District of Iowa, FY2016–2025
In the Northern District of Iowa, all 62 people sentenced for sexual abuse offenses received a prison term, and the median was 240 months (20 years). For all 94 federal districts the median was 180 months. A mandatory minimum applied to 54 of the 62 people (87%).
Federal Prison Offense Sentences in the Northern District of Iowa, FY2016–2025
In the Northern District of Iowa, 78 people were sentenced for prison offenses in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, and the median prison term was 12.5 months. For all 94 federal districts the median was 10 months. In this district, 76% were sentenced within the guideline range, compared with 63% across al
Federal Child Pornography Sentences in the Northern District of Iowa, FY2016–2025
All 105 people sentenced for child pornography (images of child exploitation) in the Northern District of Iowa in fiscal years 2016 to 2025 received a prison term. The median was 120 months (10 years), compared with 90 months for all 94 federal districts. Only 34% were sentenced within the guideline
Federal Fraud, Theft, and Embezzlement Sentences in the Northern District of Iowa, FY2016–2025
In the Northern District of Iowa, 261 people were sentenced for fraud, theft, or embezzlement in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. The median prison term was 12 months, compared with 20 months for all 94 federal districts. Of the 261, 89% received a prison term, and 9% received probation only.
Federal Immigration Offense Sentences in the Northern District of Iowa, FY2016–2025
The Northern District of Iowa sentenced 447 people for immigration offenses in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, and the median prison term was 4 months. For all 94 federal districts the median was 7 months. Yearly counts in this district fell from 103 people in fiscal year 2018 to 24 in fiscal year 2025.
Federal Firearms Sentences in the Northern District of Iowa, FY2016–2025
Of 1,022 people sentenced for firearms offenses in the Northern District of Iowa in fiscal years 2016 to 2025, 58% received a sentence within the guideline range. The median prison term was 48 months (4 years), compared with 42 months for all 94 federal districts. Firearms cases were 29% of everyone
Federal Drug Trafficking Sentences in the Northern District of Iowa, FY2016–2025
In the Northern District of Iowa, the median prison term for drug trafficking was 120 months (10 years) among 1,230 people sentenced in fiscal years 2016 to 2025. The median for this offense type across all 94 federal districts was 60 months. A mandatory minimum applied to 82% of the people in the I
Federal Burglary and Trespass Sentences in the Eastern District of Arkansas, FY2016–2025
The U.S. Sentencing Commission lists 12 people sentenced for burglary or trespass in the Eastern District of Arkansas from fiscal year 2018 through fiscal year 2024. Of those, 10 received a prison term, and the median prison term was 24 months. All 12 pleaded guilty, and the count is small, so the n
Federal Individual Rights Offense Sentences in the Eastern District of Arkansas, FY2016–2025
12 people were sentenced under the Commission's "Individual Rights" offense type in the Eastern District of Arkansas in fiscal years 2016 to 2022. 6 (50%) received a prison term and 6 (50%) received probation only. The median prison term was 33 months (2.8 years), and 1 person received a life senten
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