Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 36: Drive-by shooting

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

A person who fires a weapon at a group while committing or fleeing a major drug offense, intending to intimidate or injure and creating grave risk to human life, faces up to 25 years imprisonment. If death results, penalties include death or life imprisonment.

Read the full statutory text

a continuing criminal enterprise punishable under section 408(c) of the Controlled Substances Act ( 21 U.S.C. 848(c) ); a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances punishable under section 406 of the Controlled Substances Act ( 21 U.S.C. 846 ) section 1 1013 of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act ( 1 So in original. Probably should be preceded by “or”. 21 U.S.C. 963 ); or an offense involving major quantities of drugs and punishable under section 401(b)(1)(A) of the Controlled Substances Act ( 21 U.S.C. 841(b)(1)(A) ) or section 1010(b)(1) of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act ( 21 U.S.C. 960(b)(1) ). A person who, in furtherance or to escape detection of a major drug offense and with the intent to intimidate, harass, injure, or maim, fires a weapon into a group of two or more persons and who, in the course of such conduct, causes grave risk to any human life shall be punished by a term of no more than 25 years, by fine under this title, or both. is a first degree murder (as defined in section 1111(a)), be punished by death or imprisonment for any term of years or for life, fined under this title, or both; or is a murder other than a first degree murder (as defined in section 1111(a)), be fined under this title, imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both.

Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text

Facing this? Know exactly what happens next.

MOFRD turns this code section into your situation: the deadlines that apply to you, the forms your county uses, and the resolution paths people in your position actually take. Free for 3 days — no card required.

Start your matter free Ask Law Link about this code

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.