# 18 U.S.C. § 3005: Counsel and witnesses in capital cases

> Federal · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3005

## Section

- **Citation:** 18 U.S.C. § 3005
- **Heading:** Counsel and witnesses in capital cases
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** May 4, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE > PART II—CRIMINAL PROCEDURE > CHAPTER 201—GENERAL PROVISIONS

## Text

Whoever is indicted for treason or other capital crime shall be allowed to make his full defense by counsel; and the court before which the defendant is to be tried, or a judge thereof, shall promptly, upon the defendant’s request, assign 2 such counsel, of whom at least 1 shall be learned in the law applicable to capital cases, and who shall have free access to the accused at all reasonable hours. In assigning counsel under this section, the court shall consider the recommendation of the Federal Public Defender organization, or, if no such organization exists in the district, of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts. The defendant shall be allowed, in his defense to make any proof that he can produce by lawful witnesses, and shall have the like process of the court to compel his witnesses to appear at his trial, as is usually granted to compel witnesses to appear on behalf of the prosecution.

( June 25, 1948, ch. 645 , 62 Stat. 814 ; Pub. L. 103–322, title VI, § 60026 , Sept. 13, 1994 , 108 Stat. 1982 .)

## Nearby sections

- [18 U.S.C. § 3001 Procedure governed by rules; scope, purpose and effect; definition of terms; local rules; forms—(Rule)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3001.md)
- [18 U.S.C. § 3002 Courts always open—(Rule)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3002.md)
- [18 U.S.C. § 3003 Calendars—(Rule)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3003.md)
- [18 U.S.C. § 3004 Decorum in court room—(Rule)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3004.md)
- [18 U.S.C. § 3005 Counsel and witnesses in capital cases](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3005.md)
- [18 U.S.C. § 3006 Assignment of counsel—(Rule)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3006.md)
- [18 U.S.C. § 3006A Adequate representation of defendants](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3006A.md)
- [18 U.S.C. § 3007 Motions—(Rule)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3007.md)
- [18 U.S.C. § 3008 Service and filing of papers—(Rule)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3008.md)
- [18 U.S.C. § 3009 Records—(Rule)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3009.md)
- [18 U.S.C. § 3010 Exceptions unnecessary—(Rule)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3010.md)
- [18 U.S.C. § 3011 Computation of time—(Rule)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3011.md)
- [18 U.S.C. § 3012 Repealed. Pub. L. 98–473, title II, § 218(a)(2) , Oct. 12, 1984 , 98 Stat. 2027 ]](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3012.md)
- [18 U.S.C. § 3013 Special assessment on convicted persons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3013.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3005. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.