# 18 U.S.C. § 3559: Sentencing classification of offenses

> Federal · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t18_s3559

## Section

- **Citation:** 18 U.S.C. § 3559
- **Heading:** Sentencing classification of offenses
- **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

life imprisonment, or if the maximum penalty is death, as a Class A felony;

(Added Pub. L. 98–473, title II, § 212(a)(2) , Oct. 12, 1984 , 98 Stat. 1991 ; amended Pub. L. 100–185, § 5 , Dec. 11, 1987 , 101 Stat. 1279 ; Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, § 7041 , Nov. 18, 1988 , 102 Stat. 4399 ; Pub. L. 103–322, title VII, § 70001 , Sept. 13, 1994 , 108 Stat. 1982 ; Pub. L. 105–314, title V, § 501 , Oct. 30, 1998 , 112 Stat. 2980 ; Pub. L. 105–386, § 1(b) , Nov. 13, 1998 , 112 Stat. 3470 ; Pub. L. 108–21, title I, § 106(a) , Apr. 30, 2003 , 117 Stat. 654 ; Pub. L. 108–482, title II, § 204(a) , Dec. 23, 2004 , 118 Stat. 3917 ; Pub. L. 109–248, title II , §§ 202, 206(c), July 27, 2006 , 120 Stat. 612 , 614; Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title V, § 569(6) , Dec. 23, 2024 , 138 Stat. 1906 .)

## 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_s3559. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.