Federal · Title 28 — Judiciary and Judicial Procedure

28 U.S.C. § 1826: Recalcitrant witnesses

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

Escaping or attempting to escape from confinement ordered by a court for a recalcitrant witness is punishable by up to three years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $10,000. Aiding such an escape is subject to the same penalties.

Read the full statutory text
the court proceeding, or the term of the grand jury, including extensions, No person confined pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be admitted to bail pending the determination of an appeal taken by him from the order for his confinement if it appears that the appeal is frivolous or taken for delay. Any appeal from an order of confinement under this section shall be disposed of as soon as practicable, but not later than thirty days from the filing of such appeal. Whoever escapes or attempts to escape from the custody of any facility or from any place in which or to which he is confined pursuant to this section or section 4243 of title 18 , or whoever rescues or attempts to rescue or instigates, aids, or assists the escape or attempt to escape of such a person, shall be subject to imprisonment for not more than three years, or a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.

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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.