# Fed. R. Crim. P. 8: Rule 8. Joinder of Offenses or Defendants

> Federal · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCRP_R8

## Section

- **Citation:** Fed. R. Crim. P. 8
- **Heading:** Rule 8. Joinder of Offenses or Defendants
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure > Rule 8

## Text

(a) Joinder of Offenses. The indictment or information may charge a defendant in separate counts with 2 or more offenses if the offenses charged—whether felonies or misdemeanors or both— are of the same or similar character, or are based on the same act or transaction, or are connected with or constitute parts of a common scheme or plan.

(b) Joinder of Defendants. The indictment or information may charge 2 or more defendants if they are alleged to have participated in the same act or transaction, or in the same series of acts or transactions, constituting an offense or offenses. The defendants may be charged in one or more counts together or separately. All defendants need not be charged in each count.

## Nearby sections

- [Fed. R. Crim. P. 1 Rule 1. Scope; Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCRP_R1.md)
- [Fed. R. Crim. P. 2 Rule 2. Interpretation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCRP_R2.md)
- [Fed. R. Crim. P. 3 Rule 3. The Complaint](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCRP_R3.md)
- [Fed. R. Crim. P. 4 Rule 4. Arrest Warrant or Summons on a Complaint](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCRP_R4.md)
- [Fed. R. Crim. P. 4.1 Rule 4.1. Complaint, Warrant, or Summons by Telephone or Other](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCRP_R4.1.md)
- [Fed. R. Crim. P. 5 Rule 5. Initial Appearance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCRP_R5.md)
- [Fed. R. Crim. P. 5.1 Rule 5.1. Preliminary Hearing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCRP_R5.1.md)
- [Fed. R. Crim. P. 6 Rule 6. The Grand Jury](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCRP_R6.md)
- [Fed. R. Crim. P. 7 Rule 7. The Indictment and the Information](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCRP_R7.md)
- [Fed. R. Crim. P. 8 Rule 8. Joinder of Offenses or Defendants](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCRP_R8.md)
- [Fed. R. Crim. P. 9 Rule 9. Arrest Warrant or Summons on an Indictment or Information](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCRP_R9.md)
- [Fed. R. Crim. P. 10 Rule 10. Arraignment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCRP_R10.md)
- [Fed. R. Crim. P. 11 Rule 11. Pleas](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCRP_R11.md)
- [Fed. R. Crim. P. 12 Rule 12. Pleadings and Pretrial Motions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCRP_R12.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCRP_R8. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.