Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Part I · Chapter 115 — Treason, Sedition, and Subversive Activities
§ 2381. Treason
Statutory text
Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.
Legislative history
Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.
Pub. L. 80–645 · 62 Stat. 683
Enacted · 18 U.S.C. § 2381
June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 807
Source evidence
Code source credit
June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 807Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994
Pub. L. 103–322 title XXXIII § 330016(2)(J) · 108 Stat. 1796
Inserted · 18 U.S.C. § 2381
Pub. L. 103–322 inserted “under this title but” before “not less than $10,000”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 103–322 inserted “under this title but” before “not less than $10,000”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(J) in section 2381 by inserting “under this title but” before “not less than $10,000”; and
1 of 2 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 1 partial
Notes
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §§ 1, 2 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, §§ 1, 2, 35 Stat. 1088).
Section consolidates sections 1 and 2 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed.
The language referring to collection of the fine was omitted as obsolete and repugnant to the more humane policy of modern law which does not impose criminal consequences on the innocent.
The words “every person so convicted of treason” were omitted as redundant.
Minor change was made in phraseology.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1994—Pub. L. 103–322 inserted “under this title but” before “not less than $10,000”.
Credits
1948–1994 · 2 acts
- 1948June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 807
- 1994Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(2)(J), , 108 Stat. 2148.
Show as published
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 807; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(2)(J), , 108 Stat. 2148.)