18 USC § 19 - Petty offense defined

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t18/s19"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "18 USC § 19 - Petty offense defined"
title_number: 18
title_name: "CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE"
section_number: "19"
section_name: "Petty offense defined"
chapter_number: 1
chapter_name: "GENERAL PROVISIONS"
part_number: "I"
part_name: "CRIMES"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-21"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Added Pub. L. 100–185, § 4(a), Dec. 11, 1987, 101 Stat. 1279; amended Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, § 7089(a), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4409.)"
---


# § 19. Petty offense defined

As used in this title, the term “petty offense” means a Class B misdemeanor, a Class C misdemeanor, or an infraction, for which the maximum fine is no greater than the amount set forth for such an offense in section 3571(b)(6) or (7) in the case of an individual or section 3571(c)(6) or (7) in the case of an organization.

---

**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 100–185, § 4(a), Dec. 11, 1987, 101 Stat. 1279; amended Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, § 7089(a), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4409.)

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1988— inserted “, for which the maximum fine is no greater than the amount set forth for such an offense in section 3571(b)(6) or (7) in the case of an individual or section 3571(c)(6) or (7) in the case of an organization” after “infraction”.