Chapter X · Sentencing
R.C.M. 1002. Sentencing determination
2024 Manual for Courts-Martial, United States · Last updated
See all changes(a) Generally. Subject to limitations in this Manual, the sentence to be adjudged is a matter within the discretion of the court-martial. A court-martial may adjudge any punishment authorized in this Manual in order to achieve the purposes of sentencing under R.C.M. 1002(c), including the maximum punishment or any lesser punishment, or may adjudge a sentence of no punishment except as outlined below.
(1) Mandatory minimum. Unless otherwise authorized, when a mandatory minimum sentence is prescribed by the UCMJ, the sentence for an offense shall include any punishment that is made mandatory by law for that offense. The sentence for an offense may not be greater than the maximum sentence established by law or by the President for that offense.
Discussion
Under the UCMJ as amended though the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, Pub. L. No. 117- 263 136 Stat. 2395 (2022), R.C.M. 1002(a)(1) prohibits a plea agreement for a term of imprisonment less than life, with the eligibility for parole, for convictions under Article 118(1) and 118(4). See Article 56 and R.C.M. 1003.
(2) Parameters and criteria.
(A) When an offense is subject to sentencing criteria, the military judge shall consider the applicable sentencing criteria in determining the sentence for that offense.
(B) When an offense is subject to sentencing parameters, the military judge shall sentence the accused for that offense within the applicable parameter, unless the military judge finds specific facts that warrant a sentence outside the applicable parameter. If the military judge imposes a sentence outside a sentencing parameter, the military judge shall include in the record a written statement of the factual basis for the sentence.
(3) If the military judge accepts a plea agreement with a sentence limitation, the court-martial shall sentence the accused in accordance with the limits established by the plea agreement. Subject to Article 53a(c), the military judge shall accept a plea agreement submitted by the parties, except that—
(A) in the case of an offense with a sentencing parameter, the military judge may reject a plea agreement that proposes a sentence that is outside the sentencing parameter if the military judge determines that the proposed sentence is plainly unreasonable; and
(B) in the case of an offense for which there is no sentencing parameter, the military judge may reject a plea agreement that proposes a sentence if the military judge determines that the proposed sentence is plainly unreasonable.
(b) Noncapital cases. The military judge shall determine the sentence of a general or special court-martial in accordance with this subsection in all noncapital cases.
(1) Segmented sentencing for confinement and fines. The military judge at a general or special court-martial shall determine an appropriate term of confinement and fine, if applicable, for each specification for which the accused was found guilty. Subject to R.C.M. 1002(a), such a determination may include a term of no confinement or no fine when appropriate for the offense.
(2) Concurrent or Consecutive Terms of Confinement. revised · Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024)
(A) If a sentence includes more than one term of confinement, the military judge shall determine whether the terms of confinement will run concurrently or consecutively. For each term of confinement, the military judge shall state whether the term of confinement is to run concurrently or consecutively with any other term or terms of confinement. new · Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024)
(B) The terms of confinement for two or more specifications shall run concurrently— new · Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024)
(i) when each specification involves the same victim and the same act or transaction; new · Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024)
(iii) when the accused is found guilty of two or more specifications and the military judge finds that the charges or specifications are unreasonably multiplied; or new · Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024)
(iv) in a special court-martial, to the extent necessary to prevent the total confinement from exceeding the maximum confinement authorized under R.C.M. 201(f)(2). new · Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024)
(C) In all other circumstances, a military judge may exercise broad discretion in determining whether terms of confinement will run concurrently or consecutively consistent with R.C.M. 1002(c). Whether a term of confinement will run concurrently with another term of confinement should be determined only after determining the appropriate amount of confinement for each charge and specification. new · Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024)
(3) Unitary sentencing for other forms of punishment. All punishments other than confinement or a fine available under R.C.M. 1003, if any, shall be determined as a single, unitary component of the sentence, covering all of the guilty findings in their entirety. The military judge shall not segment those punishments among the guilty findings.
Discussion
The military judge should determine the appropriate amount of confinement or fine, if any, for each specification separately. The appropriate amount of confinement or fine that may be adjudged, if any, is at the discretion of the military judge subject to these rules. Whether a term of confinement should run concurrently with another term of confinement should be determined only after determining the appropriate amount of confinement for each charge and specification. A military judge may exercise broad discretion in determining whether terms of confinement will run concurrently or consecutively consistent with R.C.M. 1002(c). See R.C.M. 705(c)(2)(F) and 910(f)(5) regarding sentence limitations in plea agreements.
(c) Imposition of sentence. In sentencing an accused under this rule, the court-martial shall impose punishment that is sufficient, but not greater than necessary, to promote justice and to maintain good order and discipline in the United States Armed Forces, taking into consideration—
(1) the nature and circumstances of the offense and the history and characteristics of the accused;
(2) the impact of the offense on—
(A) the financial, social, psychological, or medical well-being of any victim of the offense; and
(B) the mission, discipline, or efficiency of the command of the accused and any victim of the offense;
(3) the need for the sentence to—
(A) reflect the seriousness of the offense;
(B) promote respect for the law;
(C) provide just punishment for the offense;
(D) promote adequate deterrence of misconduct;
(E) protect others from further crimes by the accused;
(F) rehabilitate the accused; and
(G) provide, in appropriate cases, the opportunity for retraining and returning to duty to meet the needs of the service; and
(4) the sentences available under these rules.
(d) Information that may be considered. The court-martial, in applying the factors listed in R.C.M. 1002(c) to the facts of a particular case, may consider—
(1) Any evidence admitted by the military judge during the presentencing proceeding under R.C.M. 1001; and
(2) Any evidence admitted by the military judge during the findings proceeding.