Title 18, Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-102
§1966 Expedition of Actions
Title 18 › PART I — CRIMES › CHAPTER 96 — RACKETEER INFLUENCED AND CORRUPT ORGANIZATIONS › § 1966
Summary
If the United States files a civil case under this chapter in federal court, the Attorney General can give a written notice to the court clerk saying the case matters to the public. The clerk must give that notice right away to the chief judge or the presiding district judge. That judge must immediately assign a judge in the district to hear and decide the case.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §1966
Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
In any civil action instituted under this chapter by the United States in any district court of the United States, the Attorney General may file with the clerk of such court a certificate stating that in his opinion the case is of general public importance. A copy of that certificate shall be furnished immediately by such clerk to the chief judge or in his absence to the presiding district judge of the district in which such action is pending. Upon receipt of such copy, such judge shall designate immediately a judge of that district to hear and determine action.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1984—Pub. L. 98–620 struck out provision that the judge so designated had to assign such action for hearing as soon as practicable, participate in the hearings and determination thereof, and cause such action to be expedited in every way.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 1984 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 98–620 not applicable to cases pending on Nov. 8, 1984, see section 403 of Pub. L. 98–620, set out as an
Effective Date
note under section 1657 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 1966
Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102