Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 229A: Penalties

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

Violations of section 229 are punishable by fine and/or imprisonment. If the violation causes another's death, the penalty is death or life imprisonment. Civil penalties and restitution also apply.

Read the full statutory text
Any person who violates section 229 of this title shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned for any term of years, or both. Any person who violates section 229 of this title and by whose action the death of another person is the result shall be punished by death or imprisoned for life. The Attorney General may bring a civil action in the appropriate United States district court against any person who violates section 229 of this title and, upon proof of such violation by a preponderance of the evidence, such person shall be subject to pay a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $100,000 for each such violation. The imposition of a civil penalty under this subsection does not preclude any other criminal or civil statutory, common law, or administrative remedy, which is available by law to the United States or any other person. The court shall order any person convicted of an offense under subsection (a) to reimburse the United States for any expenses incurred by the United States incident to the seizure, storage, handling, transportation, and destruction or other disposition of any property that was seized in connection with an investigation of the commission of the offense by that person. A person ordered to reimburse the United States for expenses under this subsection shall be jointly and severally liable for such expenses with each other person, if any, who is ordered under this subsection to reimburse the United States for the same expenses.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.