Title 18, Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-102
§3281 Capital Offenses
Title 18 › PART II — CRIMINAL PROCEDURE › CHAPTER 213 — LIMITATIONS › § 3281
Summary
A criminal charge for a crime that can be punished by death can be brought at any time. There is no time limit for filing such a charge.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §3281
Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
An indictment for any offense punishable by death may be found at any time without limitation.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §§ 581a, 581b (Aug. 4, 1939, ch. 419, §§ 1, 2, 53 Stat. 1198). section 581a and 581b of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., were consolidated into this section without change of substance.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1994—Pub. L. 103–322 struck out before period at end “except for offenses barred by the provisions of law existing on August 4, 1939”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 3281
Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102