18 USC § 3594 - Imposition of a sentence of death

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t18/s3594"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "18 USC § 3594 - Imposition of a sentence of death"
title_number: 18
title_name: "CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE"
section_number: "3594"
section_name: "Imposition of a sentence of death"
chapter_number: 228
chapter_name: "DEATH SENTENCE"
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. 103–322, title VI, § 60002(a), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 1966.)"
---


# § 3594. Imposition of a sentence of death

Upon a recommendation under section 3593(e) that the defendant should be sentenced to death or life imprisonment without possibility of release, the court shall sentence the defendant accordingly. Otherwise, the court shall impose any lesser sentence that is authorized by law. Notwithstanding any other law, if the maximum term of imprisonment for the offense is life imprisonment, the court may impose a sentence of life imprisonment without possibility of release.

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**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 103–322, title VI, § 60002(a), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 1966.)