Subchapter X · Punitive Articles
Article 120b. Rape and sexual assault of a
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 120b in the Punitive Articles →
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Provisions elsewhere in the Manual whose text cites Article 120b. 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
…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 80. See Article 18, as amended by…
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
…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 80. See UCMJ, Art. 18, as amended by…
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.
Mistake of fact as to age. In the defense of mistake of fact as to age as described in Article 120b(d)(2) in a prosecution under Article 120b(b) (sexual assault of a child) or Article 120b(c) (sexual abuse of a…
Child Sexual Offenses. It is a defense to a prosecution under Article 120b(b), sexual assault of a child, and Article 120b(c), sexual abuse of a child, that, at the time of the offense,…
R.C.M. 1109(a)(1)(C) — Reduction of sentence, general and special courts-martial
A violation of Article 120b; or
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
…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 80.
Military Rules of Evidence
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
…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 provisions shall not apply.
Article 120, ¶ 60.c.(1) — Rape and sexual assault generally
…have been separated into three statutes: offenses against adults (Art. 120), offenses against children (Art. 120b), and other offenses (Art. 120c).
Article 128b, ¶ 78a.c.(1)(e) — Domestic Violence
10 U.S.C. § 920b (article 120b)
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.
…For child offenses, some indecent conduct may be included in the definition of lewd act and preempted by Article 120b(c). See subparagraph 91.c.(5)(a).
Uniform Code of Military Justice
Art. 1(17)(A) — Definitions
…119), section 919a (article 119a), section 920 (article 120), section 920a (article 120a), section 920b (article 120b), section 920c (article 120c), section 925 (article 125), section 928b (article 128b), section 930 (article…
Art. 18(c)(2) — Jurisdiction of general courts-martial
A violation of subsection (a) or (b) of section 920b of this title (article 120b).
Art. 24a(d)(1)(A) — Special trial counsel
…119), section 919a (article 119a), section 920 (article 120), section 920a (article 120a), section 920b (article 120b), section 920c (article 120c), section 928b (article 128b), or the standalone offense of child pornography…
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)(C) — Sentencing
Rape of a child under subsection (a) of section 920b of this title (article 120b).
Art. 60a(a)(2)(D) — Limited authority to act on sentence in specified post-trial circumstances
…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 by regulation.