Military vs. civilian court by offenses by military personnel

[MillCreek]

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/vastly-different-sentences-for-two-jblm-soldiers/

We had talked before about offenses committed by military personnel being tried in civilian vs. military court.  The local paper just published an article on it.  Interesting how the two prosecution systems are working together.

[wmenorr67]

Decent article but still a comparison of apples to oranges.

The crimes weren't even close to being similar.

[Northwoods]

Surprised they didn't play up a racial angle since the guy that got the much lighter sentence was white, and the guy that got the long sentence was black.

[MillCreek]

^^^I wonder if as a rule, the military hands down harsher sentences.

[roo_ster]

^^^I wonder if as a rule, the military hands down harsher sentences.

Yes & no.

Some of the sentences for common violent crimes can be harsher, but many sentences are mellowed by applying the soldier's past good record, conduct, awards, and character witnesses.  If any.  Saw that happen.  Instead of time: a fine, busted rank, and a boot out the Army.

[Hawkmoon]

Then there are cases like [former] Navy Captain Lisa Nowak. The Navy kept her around while the civilian trial played out, THEN they busted her down a rank and booted her out with an "Other than Honorable" discharge.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Nowak