Analyzing Outcomes and Punishments Awarded at Courts Martial in the USMC for Systemic Differences
Abstract
Results of all special and general courts-martial in the Marine Corps from January 2017 to August 2020 were analyzed for systemic differences in terms of trial outcomes and punishments. Trial outcomes were obtained from the Marine Corps legal database and combined with demographic and service data obtained from the Total Force Data Warehouse. Multiple regression analysis was performed with trial outcomes and various categories of punishments awarded utilized as outcome variables. Racial/ethnic, demographic, and service information were utilized as explanatory and control variables. The race/ethnicity of trial personnel, to include trial counsel, defense counsel, and military judge, were also analyzed to determine whether they impacted the outcome of the trial, or whether there were any effects on the interaction between the race/ethnicity of the accused and trial personnel. Outcomes were also analyzed within certain categories of misconduct, specifically trials where Marines were charged with misconduct concerning drug use, sexual misconduct, and the general article. The population representation of the Marine Corps was compared to the demographic makeup of the court-martial sample populations to identify instances of over- and underrepresentation. Significant over-representation of Black Marines and under-representation of White Marines was found in the courts-martial population. Trial outcomes and punishments were generally not influenced by any racial/ethnic factors.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1150716
Entities
People
- Stephen E. Otis
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School