18 USC § 3581 - Sentence of imprisonment

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t18/s3581"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "18 USC § 3581 - Sentence of imprisonment"
title_number: 18
title_name: "CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE"
section_number: "3581"
section_name: "Sentence of imprisonment"
chapter_number: 227
chapter_name: "SENTENCES"
subchapter_number: "D"
subchapter_name: "IMPRISONMENT"
part_number: "II"
part_name: "CRIMINAL PROCEDURE"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-21"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Added Pub. L. 98–473, title II, § 212(a)(2), Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 1998.)"
---


# § 3581. Sentence of imprisonment

**(a)** **In General.—** A defendant who has been found guilty of an offense may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment.

**(b)** **Authorized Terms.—** The authorized terms of imprisonment are—

**(1)** for a Class A felony, the duration of the defendant’s life or any period of time;

**(2)** for a Class B felony, not more than twenty-five years;

**(3)** for a Class C felony, not more than twelve years;

**(4)** for a Class D felony, not more than six years;

**(5)** for a Class E felony, not more than three years;

**(6)** for a Class A misdemeanor, not more than one year;

**(7)** for a Class B misdemeanor, not more than six months;

**(8)** for a Class C misdemeanor, not more than thirty days; and

**(9)** for an infraction, not more than five days.

---

**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 98–473, title II, § 212(a)(2), Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 1998.)

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective , and applicable only to offenses committed after the taking effect of this section, see , set out as a note under .