Here is our analysis of the June 2017 Army Court-Martial results.
In June the total number of court-martials was down. We count 36. We typically
expect to see between 40-50+. The summer months are often PCS season and
can result in lower volume.
There are some obvious trends that we need more observation to explain.
1: More accused Soldiers are electing to contest there case Judge Alone.
Half of the contested cases were judge alone. That is becoming a trend.
It is unclear why. I've always preferred a panel.
The data still supports electing a jury; however, sexual assault sentences
are becoming increasingly desperate. The low-end average of sentences
is probably moving towards 3 years. The high end of sexual assault sentences
is also escalating. That probably explains the uptick in judge alone trials.
2. Half of the cases in June were deals. That number is not surprising and is fairly consistent.
3. The contested panel acquittal rate is down. There was only one full jury acquittal. It was a sexual assault case. Most
of the jury verdicts were mixed. I had a mixed verdict in June. The client
received a reprimand. We'll definitely keep our eye on this trend.
Contested Panel: 9
Contested Judge Alone: 9
Full Jury Acquittal: 1
Mixed Jury Verdict: 5
Mixed Judge Alone Verdict: 4
Full Jury Conviction: 3
Full Judge Alone Conviction: 2
Full Acquittal Judge Alone: 3
Guilty Plea: 18
Here are some of the sentences. I'm not convinced they are getting
fully reported. Some sentences carry a mandatory discharge, but it is
not always listed. For our purposes, I've listed the primary offense
and the confinement and discharge type.
Abusive Sexual Contact - 30 days confinement, BCD
Adultery (acquitted of rape) - Reprimand
Assault Consummated by Battery - Reduction to E-4, 60 days confinement
| 90 days confinement | 14 months confinement, BCD | 5 months confinement
Assault / Larceny - 2 years confinement
Aggravated Sexual Contact - 8 months confinement, BCD
AWOL - 90 days confinement, BCD | 98 days confinement
Child Sexual Assault - 35-year deal | 5-year deal | 8 months, DD | 18
months, DD | 10 years, DD
Child Battery - Reprimand
Child Pornography (Possession) - 1 year confinement, BCD | 40 days confinement, BCD
Communicating a Threat - Reprimand
Desertion - 23 months confinement
Drugs - 13 months
False Official Statement - 8 days confinement
Indecent Recording - 12 months confinement
Larceny - 11 months confinement, BCD | Reduction to E-6
Orders Violation - Reprimand | 6-month deal, BCD | 5-month deal
Sexual Assault - 3 years, Dishonorable discharge | 25 years, DD
Incest / Sexual Assault - 16 years, Dishonorable discharge