Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 3571: Sentence of fine

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute establishes the maximum fines a court may impose on a defendant convicted of various offense levels, ranging from $5,000 to $500,000 depending on the offense class and circumstances.

Read the full statutory text
A defendant who has been found guilty of an offense may be sentenced to pay a fine. the amount specified in the law setting forth the offense; the applicable amount under subsection (d) of this section; for a felony, not more than $250,000; for a misdemeanor resulting in death, not more than $250,000; for a Class A misdemeanor that does not result in death, not more than $100,000; for a Class B or C misdemeanor that does not result in death, not more than $5,000; or for an infraction, not more than $5,000. the amount specified in the law setting forth the offense; the applicable amount under subsection (d) of this section; for a felony, not more than $500,000; for a misdemeanor resulting in death, not more than $500,000; for a Class A misdemeanor that does not result in death, not more than $200,000; for a Class B or C misdemeanor that does not result in death, not more than $10,000; and for an infraction, not more than $10,000. If any person derives pecuniary gain from the offense, or if the offense results in pecuniary loss to a person other than the defendant, the defendant may be fined not more than the greater of twice the gross gain or twice the gross loss, unless imposition of a fine under this subsection would unduly complicate or prolong the sentencing process. If a law setting forth an offense specifies no fine or a fine that is lower than the fine otherwise applicable under this section and such law, by specific reference, exempts the offense from the applicability of the fine otherwise applicable under this section, the defendant may not be fined more than the amount specified in the law setting forth the offense.

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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.