I don’t know how military trials are usually held in modern navies (where Star Trek obviously take ispiration from) but arranging Piker vs Picard is not only an asshole move (for the two, not only for Data) but also a clear conflict of interests and there’s no way the judge gets a fair representation of both sides.

Also, this episode has a very good theme, but onestly falls flat for a very simple reason: Data is already a starfleet member, he presumably applied to starfleet academy, graduated and got enrolled on a ship. He is part of a crew, has had promotions and is capable of taking command. Doesn’t that mean he is already recognized as a sentient being? Or do they give ranks to computers as well?