# 18 U.S.C. § 3551: Authorized sentences

> Federal · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3551

## Section

- **Citation:** 18 U.S.C. § 3551
- **Heading:** Authorized sentences
- **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 227—SENTENCES > SUBCHAPTER A—GENERAL PROVISIONS

## Text

Except as otherwise specifically provided, a defendant who has been found guilty of an offense described in any Federal statute, including sections 13 and 1153 of this title, other than an Act of Congress applicable exclu­sively in the District of Columbia or the Uniform Code of Military Justice, shall be sentenced in accordance with the provisions of this chapter so as to achieve the purposes set forth in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of section 3553(a)(2) to the extent that they are applicable in light of all the circumstances of the case.

(Added Pub. L. 98–473, title II, § 212(a)(2) , Oct. 12, 1984 , 98 Stat. 1988 ; amended Pub. L. 101–647, title XVI, § 1602 , Nov. 29, 1990 , 104 Stat. 4843 .)

## Nearby sections

- [18 U.S.C. § 3551 Authorized sentences](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3551.md)
- [18 U.S.C. § 3552 Presentence reports](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3552.md)
- [18 U.S.C. § 3553 Imposition of a sentence](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3553.md)
- [18 U.S.C. § 3554 Order of criminal forfeiture](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3554.md)
- [18 U.S.C. § 3555 Order of notice to victims](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3555.md)
- [18 U.S.C. § 3556 Order of restitution](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3556.md)
- [18 U.S.C. § 3557 Review of a sentence](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3557.md)
- [18 U.S.C. § 3558 Implementation of a sentence](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3558.md)
- [18 U.S.C. § 3559 Sentencing classification of offenses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3559.md)
- [18 U.S.C. § 3561 Sentence of probation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3561.md)
- [18 U.S.C. § 3562 Imposition of a sentence of probation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3562.md)
- [18 U.S.C. § 3563 Conditions of probation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3563.md)
- [18 U.S.C. § 3564 Running of a term of probation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3564.md)
- [18 U.S.C. § 3565 Revocation of probation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3565.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3551. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.