Title 18, Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-110

§2247 Repeat Offenders

Title 18 › PART I — CRIMES › CHAPTER 109A — SEXUAL ABUSE › § 2247

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

A prior sex‑offense conviction doubles the chapter's maximum prison sentence unless section 3559(e) applies; defined in section 2426(b).

Full Legal Text

Title 18, §2247

Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Maximum Term of Imprisonment.—
The maximum term of imprisonment for a violation of this chapter after a prior sex offense conviction shall be twice the term otherwise provided by this chapter, unless section 3559(e) applies.
(b)Prior Sex Offense Conviction Defined.—
In this section, the term “prior sex offense conviction” has the meaning given that term in section 2426(b).

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2003—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–21 inserted “, unless section 3559(e) applies” before period at end. 1998—Pub. L. 105–314 reenacted section catchline without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Any person who violates a provision of this chapter, after one or more prior convictions for an offense punishable under this chapter, or after one or more prior convictions under the laws of any State relating to aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse, or abusive sexual contact have become final, is punishable by a term of imprisonment up to twice that otherwise authorized.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

18 U.S.C. § 2247

Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110