§373 Solicitation to Commit a Crime of Violence

Summary

Makes it a crime to ask, order, or try to persuade someone to commit a federal felony that requires using, trying to use, or threatening physical force against a person or property, when there is strong evidence you meant for them to do it. If convicted, you can get up to half the maximum prison time or half the maximum fine for the crime you asked for, or both. If the crime you asked for can carry life or death, the prison limit is 20 years. You can avoid conviction only if you clearly and completely gave up the plan and stopped the crime from happening, and not because you planned to wait or pick a different victim or target. If you claim this defense at trial, you must prove it by a preponderance of the evidence. You cannot defend yourself by saying the person you asked could not be convicted because they lacked the required intent, were incompetent, or were immune or not subject to prosecution.