What is Article 120 of the basic law?

Asked by: Dr. Maximillia Johnson V  |  Last update: March 13, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (20 votes)

"Article 120" refers to different laws depending on the context, most commonly Article 120 of the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice), which defines and punishes rape, sexual assault, and other sexual misconduct within the U.S. military, prohibiting non-consensual sexual acts. It can also refer to Article 120 of the New York Criminal Procedure Law (CPL), dealing with arrest warrants, or Article 120 of the Hong Kong Basic Law, concerning land leases.

What are the key points of article 120?

Article 120 prohibits not only non-consensual sexual conduct involving adults or minors but also acts of sexual indecency that do not result in physical contact. Regardless of the charge, however, one thing is clear – a conviction under Article 120 is serious and life changing.

Who does article 120 apply to?

What Is Article 120? Article 120 of the UCMJ addresses sexual crimes in the military, including rape, sexual assault, and other forms of sexual misconduct. The article defines these offenses and establishes the punitive measures for those found guilty.

What was the original purpose of Article 120?

Article 120 is a punitive article of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Article 120 once was titled “Rape and Carnal knowledge,” but was revised and re-titled to “Rape, sexual assault, and other sexual misconduct.”

What are the penalties for violating article 120?

Sexual Assault – Forfeiture of all pay and allowances and confinement for 30 years. In addition, sexual assault includes a mandatory minimum sentence of Dismissal or dishonorable discharge. Aggravated sexual contact -Forfeiture of all pay and allowances, confinement for 20 years, and a Dishonorable Discharge.

Article 120 of Indian Constitution

44 related questions found

What does Article 120 say?

Article 120, Constitution of India 1950

Provided that the Chairman of the Council of States or Speaker of the House of the People, or person acting as such, as the case may be, may permit any member who cannot adequately express himself in Hindi or in English to address the House in his mother tongue.

What is the average payout for harassment?

Settlements Vs.

While the average settlement is under $37,000, another study found that when harassment lawsuits go to trial, the average payout increases to $217,000. This considerable difference is partly because cases that are deemed severe are more likely to require a court trial to prove.

Can the police walk around your property?

Police need a warrant to enter your backyard unless you give consent or an emergency justifies entry. The area around your home, known as “curtilage,” is protected by the Fourth Amendment. However, open fields and spaces visible to the public are not protected in the same way.

What are the 4 levels of law enforcement?

The four main levels of law enforcement in the U.S. are Federal, State, County, and Local (Municipal), each with distinct jurisdictions and responsibilities, from enforcing federal laws (FBI) and state laws (State Police) to managing county jails (Sheriff's Office) and patrolling cities (Local Police). 

What is the 6 year limitation period?

The Limitation Act says that the limitation period for simple contract debts is six years. The cause of action (when the limitation period starts running) for simple contract debts is usually when your agreement says the creditor is able to take court action against you.

Has article 120 been amended?

As with Article 43, Congress has amended Article 120 several times since its enactment. Of note, in the 2006 NDAA, Congress amended Article 120 to specify that a person guilty of rape "shall be punished as a court-martial may direct," removing the statutory authority to punish rape by death.

Is article 112a a felony?

A: Article 112a of the UCMJ could be tried as a felony. Article 112a is a statute that governs the wrongful use, possession, manufacturing, or other illegal actions involving controlled substances.

What is the age of consent in UCMJ?

Contrary to popular belief, the age of consent under the UCMJ is NOT 18, but rather 16 years of age. A service member can legally and lawfully have sexual contact or sexual intercourse with anyone who is 16 years old or older.

What is the California Penal Code 120?

California Penal Code Section 120 establishes a fundamental legal principle that distinguishes between statements about past or present facts and promises about future conduct.

What is article 120c?

The Military Justice Act of 2016 resulted in Article 120c Other Sexual Misconduct, in the 2019 Manual for Courts Martial. Article 120c, UCMJ Other Sexual Misconduct includes Indecent Viewing, Visual Recording, or Broadcasting sexual or private area images of others without their consent.

What are the key points of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

  • Article 1. All human beings are born free and equal.
  • Article 2. Everyone is equal regardless of race, colour, sex, language, religion, politics, or where they were born.
  • Article 3. Everyone has the right to life (and to live in freedom and safety).

What does 12 mean for cops?

"12" is slang for the police, derived from the old TV show Adam-12 and potentially police radio code 10-12 ("visitors present"), popularized in hip-hop to discreetly refer to law enforcement, often with cautionary or critical tones, though its use varies from casual to adversarial.
 

What does code 4 mean in law enforcement?

In police radio codes, "Code 4" generally means the situation is under control, the scene is safe, and no further assistance is needed, signaling to other officers and dispatch that the immediate danger is over and units can stand down or proceed differently. While specific codes can vary by agency, Code 4 often indicates officers have secured the scene, resolved a domestic dispute, or apprehended a suspect, allowing other responding units to cancel their urgent response. 

What is a P2 in police?

A probationary Police Officer II assigned to a patrol unit performs basic duties such as: responding to the scene of a crime or an accident; interviewing suspects and witnesses; writing crime reports; responding to radio calls; monitoring any suspicious activity of ongoing crimes; coordinating vehicular traffic; ...

Can I tell a cop to get off my property?

The Fourth Amendment and California Law

The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is your shield against unreasonable searches and seizures. It's what prevents law enforcement from barging into your home without good reason.

What is an example of police violating civil rights?

Police civil rights violations include excessive force, false arrest/imprisonment, unreasonable searches and seizures, malicious prosecution, racial profiling, failure to provide medical care, coerced confessions, and sexual misconduct/assault, violating constitutional rights like the Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments, often addressed through laws like 42 U.S.C. § 1983. 

What states have a no-chase law?

There isn't a single "no-chase law" across all states; instead, laws and policies vary, with many jurisdictions restricting police pursuits to serious, violent felonies due to public safety concerns, while some areas like Atlanta have strict "zero-chase" policies, relying on tracking and warrants for less severe crimes. Key examples include Michigan's restrictions to violent felonies and DC's law requiring pursuit only if death or serious injury is unlikely, though even these have nuances and are debated.
 

What kind of proof do you need for harassment?

To prove harassment, you need a combination of your detailed personal testimony (dates, times, details) and corroborating evidence like emails, texts, photos, videos, or witness statements describing the unwelcome conduct, especially when it's severe or pervasive enough to create a hostile environment, impacting your work or safety, with saved records of your reports to management/HR being crucial. Medical records documenting harm and documentation of any official complaints and the employer's response also significantly strengthen your case. 

What is the 80% rule in discrimination?

The 80% Rule, or Four-Fifths Rule, is an EEOC guideline to spot potential hiring discrimination: if a protected group (like a race, sex, or ethnic group) is selected at less than 80% the rate of the most favored group, it suggests "adverse impact," requiring the employer to justify the practice as job-related and necessary. It's a statistical tool, not definitive proof, indicating when further investigation into disparate impact is warranted in employment decisions.
 

How much of a 25k settlement will I get?

From a $25,000 settlement, you'll likely get significantly less than the full amount, often around $8,000 to $12,000, after attorney fees (typically 33-40%), case costs (filing fees, records), and medical bills/liens are paid, with the exact amount depending on how much your lawyer charges and the total medical expenses you owe.