§2246 Definitions for chapter

Summary

Defines key words used in the chapter. Prison means a jail, prison, or other place where people are held. Sexual act covers four things: penile-vaginal or penile-anal penetration, oral contact with genitalia or anus, penetration of another’s anal or genital opening by a hand, finger, or object, and intentional uncovered touching of someone’s genitals if the person is under 16 years old—each done with the intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade, or arouse or gratify sexual desire. Sexual contact means intentionally touching (directly or through clothes) private areas like genitals, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh, or buttocks with that same intent. Serious bodily injury means injury that poses a substantial risk of death, causes unconsciousness, extreme pain, long-lasting obvious disfigurement, or long-lasting loss or impairment of a body part, organ, or mental faculty. Official detention means being held by or under the direction of a Federal officer after arrest or related proceedings (including surrender, charge, conviction, juvenile delinquency findings, material-witness commitment, civil commitment in place of criminal proceedings, or while awaiting extradition, deportation, or exclusion), and also includes custody for things tied to that detention like transportation, medical care, court appearance, work, or recreation. State includes any U.S. State, the District of Columbia, and any commonwealth, possession, or territory. Federal law enforcement officer has the meaning given in section 115.