Subchapter X · Punitive Articles
Article 120. Rape and sexual assault generally
2024 Manual for Courts-Martial, United States
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This is a punitive article. Its elements, explanation, maximum punishment,
and sample specifications are in the Manual's Part IV.
Read Article 120 in the Punitive Articles →
Cross-referencesCited by 34Elsewhere 3
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Provisions elsewhere in the Manual whose text cites Article 120. Each link opens the citing provision.
Rules for Courts-Martial
Jurisdiction for Certain Sexual Offenses. Only a general court-martial has jurisdiction to try offenses under Articles 120(a), 120(b), 120b(a), and 120b(b), and attempts thereof under Article 80.
Discussion under R.C.M. 201(f)(1)(D) — Jurisdiction in general
Only a general court-martial has jurisdiction over penetrative sex offenses under subsections (a) and (b) of Article 120, subsections (a) and (b) of Article 120b, and attempts to commit such penetrative sex offenses under Article…
Certain Offenses under Articles 120 and 120b. Notwithstanding subparagraph (f)(2)(A), special courts-martial do not have jurisdiction over offenses under…
Discussion under R.C.M. 201(f)(2)(D) — Jurisdiction in general
Only a general court-martial has jurisdiction over penetrative sex offenses under subsections (a) and (b) of Article 120, subsections (a) and (b) of Article 120b, and attempts to commit such penetrative sex offenses under Article…
R.C.M. 306(e)(1) — Initial disposition of offenses over which special trial counsel does not exercise authority
…of this subsection (R.C.M. 306(e)), a “sex-related offense” means any allegation of a violation of Article 120, 120b, 120c, or 130, or any attempt thereof under Article 80, occurring on or before December 27, 2023.
R.C.M. 306A(d)(1) — Initial disposition of offenses over which a special trial counsel exercises authority
…of this subsection (R.C.M. 306A(d)), “sex-related offense” means any allegation of a violation of Article 120, 120b, 120c, or 130, or any attempt thereof under Article 80.
Discussion under R.C.M. 307(c)(2) — Preferral of charges
…charges before arraignment. See R.C.M. 601(e)(2). (C) Preemption . An offense specifically defined by Articles 81 through 132 may not be alleged as a violation of Article 134 . See paragraph 91.c.(5)(a) of Part IV. But see R.C.M.…
A violation of Article 120(a) or (b);
Notwithstanding paragraph (c)(1), summary courts-martial do not have jurisdiction over offenses under Articles 120(a), 120(b), 120b(a), 120b(b), and attempts thereof under Article 80. Such offenses shall not be referred to a summary court-martial.
Discussion under R.C.M. 1301(c)(2) — Summary courts-martial
…a general court-martial has jurisdiction to try penetrative sex offenses under subsections (a) and (b) of Article 120, subsections (a) and (b) of Article 120b, and attempts to commit such penetrative sex offenses under Article…
Military Rules of Evidence
Mil. R. Evid. 404(a)(2)(A)(ii) — Character evidence, crimes or other acts
Articles 120-122;
Mil. R. Evid. 413(d)(1) — Similar crimes in sexual offense cases
any conduct prohibited by Article 120;
Mil. R. Evid. 414(d)(2)(A) — Similar crimes in child-molestation cases
any conduct prohibited by Article 120 and committed with a child, or prohibited by Article 120b.
UCMJ Punitive Articles
…confinement exceeding 20 years be adjudged. Except in the cases of attempts of rape and sexual assault under Article 120(a) or (b), and rape and sexual assault of a child under Article 120b(a) or (b), mandatory minimum punishment…
…to in subsection (a) are sections 918, 919(a), 919(b)(2), 920(a), 922, 926, 928, and 928a of this title (articles 118, 119(a), 119(b)(2), 120(a), 122, 126, 128, and 128a). (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the prosecution—
…118)), (voluntary manslaughter (article 119(a))), (involuntary manslaughter (article 119(b)(2))), (rape (article 120(a))), (robbery (article 122)), (maiming (article 128a)), (assault (article 128)), of] or [burning or setting…
…118)), (voluntary manslaughter (article 119(a))), (involuntary manslaughter (article 119(b)(2))), (rape (article 120(a))), (robbery (article 122)), (maiming (article 128a)), (assault (article 128)), of] or [burning or setting…
…118)), (voluntary manslaughter (article 119(a))), (involuntary manslaughter (article 119(b)(2))), (rape (article 120(a))), (robbery (article 122)), (maiming (article 128a)), (assault (article 128)), of] or [burning or setting…
…118)), (voluntary manslaughter (article 119(a))), (involuntary manslaughter (article 119(b)(2))), (rape (article 120(a))), (robbery (article 122)), (maiming (article 128a)), (assault (article 128)), of] or [burning or setting…
…voluntary manslaughter (article 119(a), UCMJ); involuntary manslaughter (article 119(b)(2), UCMJ); rape (article 120(a), UCMJ); robbery (article 122, UCMJ); maiming (article 128a, UCMJ); or assault (article 128, UCMJ) against a…
…act” and “sexual contact” have the meanings given those terms in section 920(g) of this title (article 120(g)), except that the term “sexual act” also includes the intentional touching, not through the clothing, of…
…“act of prostitution” means a sexual act or sexual contact (as defined in section 920(g) of this title (article 120(g))) on account of which anything of value is given to, or received by, any person.
Article 128b, ¶ 78a.c.(1)(d) — Domestic Violence
10 U.S.C. § 920 (article 120)
Practice Note under Article 129, ¶ 79.b.(1)(b) — Burglary; unlawful entry
…to commit an offense punishable under sections 918-920, 920b-921, 922, 925-928a, and 930 of this title (Article 118-120, 120b-121, 122, 125-128a, and 130), add the following element:]
Article 129, ¶ 79.b.(1)(c) — Burglary; unlawful entry
That the breaking and entering were with the intent to commit an offense punishable under Article 118-120, 120b-121, 122, 125-128a, and 130.
Article 129, ¶ 79.d.(1) — Burglary; unlawful entry
Burglary (with the intent to commit an offense punishable under Article 118-120, 120b-121, 122, 125- 128a, or 130). Dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 10 years.
Article 134, ¶ 91.c.(5)(a) — General article
Preemption doctrine. The preemption doctrine prohibits application of Article 134 to conduct covered by Articles 80 through 132. For example, larceny is covered in Article 121, and if an element of that offense is lacking—for example,…
Uniform Code of Military Justice
Art. 1(17)(A) — Definitions
…117a), section 918 (article 118), section 919 (article 119), section 919a (article 119a), section 920 (article 120), section 920a (article 120a), section 920b (article 120b), section 920c (article 120c), section 925…
Art. 18(c)(1) — Jurisdiction of general courts-martial
A violation of subsection (a) or (b) of section 920 of this title (article 120).
Art. 24a(d)(1)(A) — Special trial counsel
…917a (article 117a), 918 (article 118), section 919 (article 119), section 919a (article 119a), section 920 (article 120), section 920a (article 120a), section 920b (article 120b), section 920c (article 120c), section 928b…
Art. 43(b)(2)(B)(i) — Statute of limitations
Any offense in violation of section 920, 920a, 920b, 920c, or 930 of this title (article 120, 120a, 120b, 120c, or 130), unless the offense is covered by subsection (a).
Art. 56(b)(2)(A) — Sentencing
Rape under subsection (a) of section 920 of this title (article 120).
Art. 60a(a)(2)(D) — Limited authority to act on sentence in specified post-trial circumstances
…in which the accused is found guilty of a violation of subsection (a) or (b) of section 920 of this title (article 120), section 920b of this title (article 120b), or such other offense as the Secretary of Defense may specify…
Art. 137(a)(3) — Articles to be explained
…to sections 802, 803, 807– 815, 825, 827, 831, 837, 838, 855, 877–934, and 937–939 of this title (articles 2, 3, 7–15, 25, 27, 31, 37, 38, 55, 77–134, and 137–139).