18 USC § 4 - Misprision of felony

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t18/s4"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "18 USC § 4 - Misprision of felony"
title_number: 18
title_name: "CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE"
section_number: "4"
section_name: "Misprision of felony"
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: "(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 684; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(G), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)"
---


# § 4. Misprision of felony

Whoever, having knowledge of the actual commission of a felony cognizable by a court of the United States, conceals and does not as soon as possible make known the same to some judge or other person in civil or military authority under the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.

---

**Source Credit**: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 684; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(G), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C. 1940 ed., § 251 (, ).

Changes in phraseology only.

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1994— substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $500”.