Orders Violation Cases at San Diego, California: 2019–2023 vs. 2024–2026

Trends › By Installation › San Diego, California › Article 92

Based on 17 cases · 2024–2026 · Navy and Marine Corps records · data updated October 24, 2026

An NCO-Heavy Group

Among the accused with rank recorded, 11 were NCOs, 4 were junior enlisted members, and 1 was an officer. This group was more senior than the accused in all Navy and Marine Corps Article 92 cases in 2024–2026.

The 17 cases were 13% of the 126 courts-martial at San Diego in 2024–2026. There were 10 cases in 2024, 5 in 2025, and 2 so far in 2026, a partial year.

Convictions Often Without Confinement

Every case ended in a conviction on at least one charge. Of those 17 sentences, 8 included confinement (47%). The median confinement was 2 months, close to the 3 months median in all Navy and Marine Corps Article 92 cases. Among the sentences that included confinement, a quarter were 1 year or longer.

In 2019–2023, 64% of convictions at San Diego included confinement, and the median was 4 months. These are adjudged sentences, before any plea-agreement cap, clemency, or appeal.

Punitive Discharges

Of 15 convicted enlisted members, 5 received a bad-conduct or dishonorable discharge (33%), and 3 of those were dishonorable. The share was lower than the 37% in all Navy and Marine Corps Article 92 cases and the 46% at San Diego in 2019–2023. The 1 convicted officer or warrant officer was not dismissed.

A sentence without a punitive discharge does not rule out a later administrative separation.

Fewer General Courts-Martial

Special courts-martial heard 14 cases and general courts-martial heard 3. The general share, 18%, compares with 16% in all Navy and Marine Corps Article 92 cases and 48% at San Diego in 2019–2023. A special court-martial caps confinement at one year and cannot impose a dishonorable discharge.

Contested Cases

Of the 17 accused, 11 pleaded guilty and 6 contested at least one charge. A case is contested when the accused pleads not guilty to at least one charge. The contested share, 35%, was lower than the 44% in all Navy and Marine Corps Article 92 cases. None of the 6 contested cases ended in a full acquittal, and none of the 8 in 2019–2023 did.

Other Charges in These Cases

Of the 17 cases, 10 charged at least one other article. Article 86 (AWOL) and Article 107 (false official statement) were each charged in 3. Article 112a (drug) appeared in 2. Article 81 (conspiracy) and Article 93a (prohibited activities with recruit or trainee) appeared in 1 each.

2019–2023 Compared With 2024–2026

The 2019–2023 records show 25 cases over 5 years, about 5 a year. Since 2024 there have been about 8 a year, counting full years only. The contested share went from 32% to 35%. The groups are small, so the changes show a direction only.

Rules and Limits

Since December 28, 2023, special trial counsel, not commanders, decide whether to prosecute covered offenses such as sexual assault, domestic violence, and murder. For offenses after December 27, 2023, the military judge sets the sentence under new sentencing parameters. The records give trial dates, not offense dates, so the 2024–2026 cases mix the old and new rules.

The records do not show the evidence, the plea terms, or conduct handled outside a court-martial.

For what the offense covers and how it is defended, see Article 92 on the law firm's website. Dates and sources for the law changes: UCMJ change timeline.

About the author. Jocelyn C. Stewart is a retired Army JAG with more than 24 years of trying courts-martial and more than 200 jury trials. She hosts Where All The Bodies Are Buried and runs the Law Office of Jocelyn C. Stewart. This analysis is for education and information only. It is not legal advice, and every case is different.