Title 18, Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-102
§4 Misprision of Felony
Title 18 › PART I — CRIMES › CHAPTER 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS › § 4
Summary
Knowingly hiding a federal felony instead of reporting it to U.S. authorities can get you a fine, up to three years in prison, or both.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §4
Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whoever, having knowledge of the actual commission of a felony cognizable by a court of the United States, conceals and does not as soon as possible make known the same to some judge or other person in civil or military authority under the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C. 1940 ed., § 251 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 146, 35 Stat. 1114). Changes in phraseology only.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $500”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 4
Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102