Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-73
§25 Use of minors in crimes of violence
Title 18 › Part PART I— - CRIMES › Chapter CHAPTER 1— - GENERAL PROVISIONS › § 25
Summary
It raises the penalty for adults who make someone under 18 take part in a federal crime of violence (see section 16) or who use a minor to help hide or escape after such a crime. On a first conviction, the top prison term and top fine for the offense are doubled. For each later conviction, they are tripled. crime of violence — meaning given in section 16. minor — a person under 18 years old. uses — includes hiring, persuading, tricking, enticing, or forcing a minor.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §25
Crimes and Criminal Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)In this section, the following definitions shall apply:
(1)The term “crime of violence” has the meaning set forth in section 16.
(2)The term “minor” means a person who has not reached 18 years of age.
(3)The term “uses” means employs, hires, persuades, induces, entices, or coerces.
(b)Any person who is 18 years of age or older, who intentionally uses a minor to commit a crime of violence for which such person may be prosecuted in a court of the United States, or to assist in avoiding detection or apprehension for such an offense, shall—
(1)for the first conviction, be subject to twice the maximum term of imprisonment and twice the maximum fine that would otherwise be authorized for the offense; and
(2)for each subsequent conviction, be subject to 3 times the maximum term of imprisonment and 3 times the maximum fine that would otherwise be authorized for the offense.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 25
Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73