Table of Contents
Title 18 of the United States Code, popularly known as the “criminal code,” is a comprehensive compilation of federal criminal law in the United States. It was first enacted in 1948 as part of the codification effort of the United States Congress, which aimed to gather and organize federal criminal statutes into one coherent document.
Title 18 contains a plethora of criminal offenses ranging from theft, fraud, and financial crimes to violent crimes and terrorism-related offenses. It outlines the guidelines for criminal procedures, including the rules and regulations for the arrest, trial, and sentencing of criminal offenders. Additionally, it also provides for procedural protections for criminal defendants, such as the right to counsel and due process guarantees.
One of the most significant features of Title 18 is its federal jurisdiction. Under federal law, certain crimes committed within the jurisdiction of the United States may be subject to prosecution in federal courts, regardless of whether they violate state laws. Some crimes that fall under the federal jurisdiction per §3231 of Title 18 include drug trafficking, organized crime, economic espionage, white-collar crimes, and terrorism-related offenses.
Title 18 also outlines several high-profile and landmark federal criminal laws, such as the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, which provides for severe penalties for organized crime, and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), which criminalizes unauthorized access or use of a computer system.
Moreover, the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which govern sentencing for federal criminal cases, are also included in Title 18. The Guidelines provide a framework for judges to determine appropriate sentences for convicted criminal offenders, based on a complex system of offense level and criminal history.
In conclusion, Title 18 of the United States Code is a crucial component of the federal criminal justice system. It outlines the federal laws, guidelines, and procedures governing criminal offenses in the United States. Its comprehensive and detailed compilation of federal criminal law reaffirms the values of justice, fairness, and the rule of law in our society.
Title 18 of the United States Code: Part I—Crimes
Chapter 1: General Provisions
Chapter 2: Aircraft and Motor Vehicles
Chapter 3: Animals, Birds, Fish, and Plants
Chapter 5: Arson
Chapter 7: Assault
Chapter 9: Bankruptcy
Chapter 10: Biological Weapons
Chapter 11: Bribery, Graft, and Conflicts of Interest
Chapter 11A: Child Support
Chapter 11B: Chemical Weapons
Chapter 12: Civil Disorders
Chapter 13: Civil Rights
Chapter 15: Claims and Services in Matters Affecting Government
Chapter 17: Coins and Currency
Chapter 17A: Common Carrier under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs
Chapter 18: Congressional, Cabinet, and Supreme Court Assassination, Kidnapping, and Assault
Chapter 19: Conspiracy
Chapter 21: Contempts
Chapter 23: Contracts
Chapter 25: Counterfeiting and Forgery
Chapter 26: Criminal Street Gangs
Chapter 27: Customs
Chapter 29: Elections and Political Activities
Chapter 31: Embezzlement and Theft
Chapter 33: Emblems, Insignia, and Names
Chapter 37: Espionage and Censorship
Chapter 39: Explosives and Other Dangerous Articles
Chapter 40: Importation, Manufacture, Distribution, and Storage of Explosive Materials
Chapter 41: Extortion and Threats
Chapter 42: Extortionate Credit Transactions
Chapter 43: False Personation
Chapter 44: Firearms
Chapter 45: Foreign Relations Threats
Chapter 46: Forfeiture
Chapter 47: Fraud and False Statements
Chapter 49: Fugitives from Justice
Chapter 51: Homicide
Chapter 53: Indians
Chapter 55: Kidnapping
Chapter 57: Labor
Chapter 59: Liquor Traffic
Chapter 60: Illegal Grocery Delivery
Chapter 61: Lotteries
Chapter 63: Mail Fraud
Chapter 65: Malicious Mischief
Chapter 67: Military and Navy
Chapter 68: [Repealed]
Chapter 69: Nationality and Citizenship
Chapter 71: Obscenity
Chapter 73: Obstruction of Justice
Chapter 74: Partial-Birth Abortions
Chapter 75: Passports and Visas
Chapter 77: Peonage, Slavery, and Trafficking in Persons
Chapter 79: Perjury
Chapter 81: Piracy and Privateering
Chapter 83: Postal Service
Chapter 84: Presidential and Presidential Staff Assassination, Kidnapping, and Assault
Chapter 85: Prison-Made Goods
Chapter 87: Prisons
Chapter 88: Privacy
Chapter 89: Professions and Occupations
Chapter 90: Protection of Trade Secrets
Chapter 90a: Protection of Unborn Children
Chapter 91: Public Lands
Chapter 93: Public Officers and Employees
Chapter 95: Racketeering
Chapter 96: Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations
Chapter 97: Railroads
Chapter 99: [Repealed]
Chapter 101: Records and Reports
Chapter 102: Riots
Chapter 103: Robbery and Burglary
Chapter 105: Sabotage
Chapter 107: Seamen and Stowaways
Chapter 109: Searches and seizures
Chapter 109a: Sexual Abuse
Chapter 110: Sexual Exploitation and Other Abuse of Children
Chapter 110a: Domestic Violence and Stalking
Chapter 111: Seamen Shipping
Chapter 113: Stolen Property
Chapter 113a: Telemarketing Fraud
Chapter 113b: Terrorism
Chapter 113c: Torture
Chapter 114: Trafficking in Contraband Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco
Chapter 115: Treason, Sedition, and Subversive Activities
Chapter 117: Transportation for Illegal Sexual Activity and Related Crimes
Chapter 118: War Crimes
Chapter 119: Wire and Electronic Communications Interception and Interception of Oral Communications
Chapter 121: Stored Wire and Electronic Communications and Transactional Records Access
Chapter 123: Prohibition on Release and Use of Certain Personal Information from State Motor Vehicle Records
Title 18 of the United States Code: Part II—Criminal Procedure
Chapter 201: General Provisions
Chapter 203: Arrest and Commitment
Chapter 204: Rewards for Information Concerning Terrorist Acts and Espionage
Chapter 205: Searches and Seizures
Chapter 206: Pen Registers and Trap and Trace Devices
Chapter 207: Release and Detention Pending Judicial Proceedings
Chapter 208: Speedy Trial
Chapter 209: Extradition
Chapter 211: Jurisdiction and Venue
Chapter 212: Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction
Chapter 212a: Extraterritorial Jurisdiction over Certain Trafficking In-person Offenses
Chapter 213: Limitations
Chapter 215: Grand Jury
Chapter 216: Special Grand Jury
Chapter 217: Indictment and Information
Chapter 219: Trial by United States Magistrate Judges
Chapter 221: Arraignment, Pleas and Trial
Chapter 223: Witnesses and Evidence
Chapter 224: Protection of Witnesses
Chapter 225: Verdict
Chapter 227: Sentences
Chapter 228: Death Sentence
Chapter 228a: Post-Conviction DNA Testing
Chapter 229: Postsentence Administration
Chapter 231: [Repealed]
Chapter 232: Miscellaneous Sentencing Provisions
Chapter 232a: Special Forfeiture of Collateral Profits of Crime
Chapter 233: Contempts
Chapter 237: Crime Victims Rights
Title 18 of the United States Code: Part III—Prisons and Prisoners
Chapter301: General Provisions
Chapter 303: Bureau of Prisons
Chapter 305: Commitment and Transfer
Chapter 306: Transfer To or From Foreign Countries
Chapter 307: Employment
Chapter 309: [Repealed]
Chapter 311: [Repealed]
Chapter 313: Offenders with Mental Disease or Defect
Chapter 314: [Repealed]
Chapter 315: Discharge and Release Payments
Chapter 317: Institutions for Women
Chapter 319: National Institute of Corrections
Title 18 of the United States Code: Part IV—Correction of Youthful Offenders
Chapter 401: General Provisions
Chapter 402: [Repealed]
Chapter 403: Juvenile Delinquency
Title 18 of the United States Code: Part V—Immunity of Witnesses
Chapter 601: Immunity of Witnesses
Source: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18
