Articles of the UCMJ
The Uniform Code of Military Justice defines every criminal offense a service member can be charged with. The punitive articles of the UCMJ, Articles 77 through 134, cover everything from desertion and drug offenses to sexual assault and murder. If you are facing charges under any of these articles, understanding what the government must prove and what penalties are at stake is the first step. The next step is getting the right military defense attorney.
Joseph L. Jordan has represented more than 1,000 service members and taken 245+ cases to verdict across 19 years of practice. He has tried 176 sexual assault courts-martial alone, securing favorable outcomes in the vast majority. He is a former Army JAG prosecutor who tried cases at Fort Hood (Fort Cavazos), Texas, and with the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea. He defends Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen, and Guardians at installations worldwide.
If you have been charged or are under investigation, call (888) 367-9489 for a free, confidential consultation. Available 24/7. Financing available.
Why Former JAG Experience Matters
A former military prosecutor knows how the government builds its case: how charges are selected, how witnesses are prepared, how evidence is presented to panels, and how command pressure shapes disposition decisions. Jordan spent years on the prosecution side before switching to defense. That background means he has already seen the playbook being used against you. He operates with complete independence from the chain of command, with no career consequences for aggressive advocacy and no institutional restraints when challenging evidence, filing motions, or exposing unlawful command influence.
Court-Martial Types
Summary Court-Martial. Minor offenses. Enlisted personnel only. Maximum 30 days confinement. Creates a federal conviction.
Special Court-Martial. Mid-level offenses. Maximum 1 year confinement and bad conduct discharge.
General Court-Martial. The most serious offenses. Any authorized punishment up to and including life imprisonment and dishonorable discharge.
The type of court-martial determines maximum punishment, procedural protections, and long-term consequences. If you are unsure what type of proceeding you face, speak with defense counsel before making any decisions.
Call (888) 367-9489. Free consultation. Financing available.
Punitive Articles of the UCMJ
Inchoate and Accessory Offenses (Articles 77-82)
- UCMJ Article 78: Accessory After the Fact
- UCMJ Article 80: Attempts
- UCMJ Article 81: Conspiracy
- UCMJ Article 82: Solicitation
Military Discipline Offenses (Articles 84-98)
- UCMJ Article 84: Effecting Unlawful Enlistment, Appointment, or Separation
- UCMJ Article 85: Desertion
- UCMJ Article 86: Absence without Leave
- UCMJ Article 87: Missing Movement
- UCMJ Article 88: Contempt toward Officials
- UCMJ Article 89: Disrespect toward a Superior Commissioned Officer
- UCMJ Article 90: Assaulting or Willfully Disobeying Superior Commissioned Officer
- UCMJ Article 91: Insubordinate Conduct toward Warrant Officer, NCO, or Petty Officer
- UCMJ Article 92: Failure to Obey Order or Regulation
- UCMJ Article 93: Cruelty and Maltreatment
- UCMJ Article 94: Mutiny and Sedition
- UCMJ Article 95: Resistance, Flight, Breach of Arrest, and Escape
- UCMJ Article 96: Releasing a Prisoner without Authority
- UCMJ Article 97: Unlawful Detention
- UCMJ Article 98: Noncompliance with Procedural Rules
Combat-Related Offenses (Articles 99-106)
- UCMJ Article 99: Misbehavior before the Enemy
- UCMJ Article 100: Compelling Surrender
- UCMJ Article 101: Improper use of Countersign
- UCMJ Article 102: Forcing a Safeguard
- UCMJ Article 103: Captured or Abandoned Property
- UCMJ Article 104: Aiding the Enemy
- UCMJ Article 105: Misconduct as a Prisoner
- UCMJ Article 106: Spies
Fraud and Property Offenses (Articles 107-112a)
- UCMJ Article 107: Making False Official Statements
- UCMJ Article 108: Damage, Wrongful Disposition, Sale, Loss or Destruction of U.S. Military Property
- UCMJ Article 109: Waste, Destruction or Spoilage of Non-Military Property
- UCMJ Article 110: Improper Hazarding of Vessel
- UCMJ Article 111: Drunken or Reckless Operation of Vehicle, Aircraft or Vessel
- UCMJ Article 112: Drunk on Duty
- UCMJ Article 112a: Wrongful use of Controlled Substances
Duty and Conduct Offenses (Articles 113-117)
- UCMJ Article 113: Misbehavior of Sentinel or Lookout
- UCMJ Article 114: Dueling
- UCMJ Article 115: Malingering and Self-Inflicted Injury
- UCMJ Article 116: Riot or Breach of Peace
- UCMJ Article 117: Provoking Speeches or Gestures
Violent Crimes and Sexual Offenses (Articles 118-128)
- UCMJ Article 118: Murder
- UCMJ Article 119: Manslaughter
- UCMJ Article 119a: Death or Injury of an Unborn Child
- UCMJ Article 120: Sexual Assault
- UCMJ Article 120a: Stalking
- UCMJ Article 120b: Sexual Abuse of a Child
- UCMJ Article 120c: Sexual Misconduct
- UCMJ Article 122: Robbery
- UCMJ Article 123: Forgery
- UCMJ Article 123a: Making, Uttering or Drawing Check without Sufficient Funds
- UCMJ Article 124: Maiming
- UCMJ Article 125: Sodomy
- UCMJ Article 126: Arson
- UCMJ Article 127: Extortion
- UCMJ Article 128: Assault
- UCMJ Article 128b: Domestic Violence
Property Crimes (Articles 129-132)
- UCMJ Article 129: Burglary
- UCMJ Article 130: Housebreaking
- UCMJ Article 131: Perjury
- UCMJ Article 132: Frauds Against the United States
Officer-Specific and General Article Offenses (Articles 133-134)
- UCMJ Article 133: Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and Gentleman
- UCMJ Article 134: Bigamy
- UCMJ Article 134: Drunkenness
- UCMJ Article 134: False or Unauthorized Pass Offenses
- UCMJ Article 134: False Swearing
- UCMJ Article 134: Firearm, Discharging through Negligence
- UCMJ Article 134: Willful Discharge of Firearm under Circumstances that Endanger Human Life
- UCMJ Article 134: Fleeing the Scene of an Accident
- UCMJ Article 134: Indecent Language
- UCMJ Article 134: Jumping from Vessel into the Water
- UCMJ Article 134: Kidnapping
- UCMJ Article 134: Mail Offenses
- UCMJ Article 134: Depositing Obscene Matters in Mail
- UCMJ Article 134: Misprision of Serious Offense
- UCMJ Article 134: Obstructing Justice
- UCMJ Article 134: Wrongful Interference with Adverse Administrative Proceedings
- UCMJ Article 134: Pandering and Prostitution
- UCMJ Article 134: Altering or Destroying Public Records
- UCMJ Article 134: Breaking Medical Quarantine
- UCMJ Article 134: Reckless Endangerment
- UCMJ Article 134: Restriction Breaking
- UCMJ Article 134: Destruction of Property to Prevent Seizure
- UCMJ Article 134: Self-Injury without Intent to Avoid Service
- UCMJ Article 134: Sentinel or Lookout Offenses
- UCMJ Article 134: Receiving Stolen Property
- UCMJ Article 134: Straggling
- UCMJ Article 134: Wrongful Refusal to Testify
- UCMJ Article 134: Threat or Hoax to Cause Panic
- UCMJ Article 134: Communicating Threats
- UCMJ Article 134: Unlawful Entry
- UCMJ Article 134: Carrying a Concealed Weapon
- UCMJ Article 134: Wearing Unauthorized Insignia
- UCMJ Article 134: Child Endangerment
- UCMJ Article 134: Dishonorably Failing to Pay Debt
- UCMJ Article 134: Disloyal Statements
- UCMJ Article 134: Disorderly Conduct
- UCMJ Article 134: Subornation of Perjury
- UCMJ Article 134: Violation of Parole
- UCMJ Article 134: Offenses Against Correctional Custody
- UCMJ Article 134: Soliciting Another to Commit an Offense
- UCMJ Article 134: Bribery and Graft
- UCMJ Article 134: Worthless Check Offenses
- UCMJ Article 134: Wrongful Cohabitation
- UCMJ Article 134: Drinking Liquor with Prisoner
- UCMJ Article 134: Drunk Prisoner
Frequently Asked Questions About the Articles of the UCMJ
What are the punitive articles of the UCMJ? Articles 77 through 134 define every criminal offense under military law, from desertion and insubordination to fraud and sexual assault. Together they form the legal basis for all court-martial prosecutions.
What does Article 134 cover? Article 134 is the general article, sometimes called the catch-all. It applies to conduct not specifically listed elsewhere that is prejudicial to good order and discipline or brings discredit upon the armed forces.
What types of court-martial exist? Summary (minor offenses, enlisted only, max 30 days), special (mid-level, max 1 year and BCD), and general (most serious, up to life and dishonorable discharge). The court-martial type determines maximum punishment and procedural protections.
Does the UCMJ apply off duty and overseas? Yes. UCMJ jurisdiction follows the service member worldwide, on and off duty, on and off base, 24 hours a day.
Can I refuse Article 15 and demand a court-martial? In most cases, yes. But a court-martial carries higher maximum punishments along with greater procedural protections. This decision should not be made without consulting defense counsel.
What should I do if accused under any UCMJ article? Invoke your Article 31(b) right to remain silent. Do not consent to searches. Do not make statements to investigators, your chain of command, or anyone else without defense counsel present. Contact a military defense attorney immediately.
If you are facing charges under any of the articles of the UCMJ, Joseph L. Jordan has the trial record and the experience to fight your case.
Call (888) 367-9489 for a free, confidential consultation. Financing available.
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.