18 USC § 1966 - Expedition of actions

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t18/s1966"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "18 USC § 1966 - Expedition of actions"
title_number: 18
title_name: "CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE"
section_number: "1966"
section_name: "Expedition of actions"
chapter_number: 96
chapter_name: "RACKETEER INFLUENCED AND CORRUPT ORGANIZATIONS"
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. 91–452, title IX, § 901(a), Oct. 15, 1970, 84 Stat. 944; amended Pub. L. 98–620, title IV, § 402(24)(B), Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3359.)"
---


# § 1966. Expedition of actions

In any civil action instituted under this chapter by the United States in any district court of the United States, the Attorney General may file with the clerk of such court a certificate stating that in his opinion the case is of general public importance. A copy of that certificate shall be furnished immediately by such clerk to the chief judge or in his absence to the presiding district judge of the district in which such action is pending. Upon receipt of such copy, such judge shall designate immediately a judge of that district to hear and determine action.

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**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 91–452, title IX, § 901(a), Oct. 15, 1970, 84 Stat. 944; amended Pub. L. 98–620, title IV, § 402(24)(B), Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3359.)

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1984— struck out provision that the judge so designated had to assign such action for hearing as soon as practicable, participate in the hearings and determination thereof, and cause such action to be expedited in every way.

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Amendment by  not applicable to cases pending on , see , set out as an Effective Date note under , Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.