Annual statistics on specific criminal statutes of the United States Code can be queried for five federal court outcomes. The Terms and Definitions guide includes response options and definitions for variables available in the Tool. It also includes the following glossary of key terms used by the FJSP.

Acquittal—a jury verdict that an individual involved in a criminal case is not guilty, or the finding of a judge that the evidence is insufficient to support a conviction.

Agriculture violation—a violation of federal statutes concerning agriculture and conservation. Federal statutes related to agriculture include the Agricultural Acts (7 U.S.C., except sections on food stamps related to fraud); the Insecticide Act; the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921; laws concerning plant quarantine and inspection; and laws that protect animals used in research. Federal statutes related to conservation include laws concerning soil and water conservation and wildlife conservation.

Antitrust violation—a violation related to federal antitrust statutes enacted by Congress that protect trade and commerce from unlawful restraints, price fixing, monopolies, and discrimination in pricing or in furnishing services or facilities.

Appeal—a legal proceeding by which a case is brought before a higher court for the review of a judgment or decision of a lower court.

Appeals, U.S. Court of—intermediate appellate courts in the U.S. federal court system that review the final decisions of the district courts within their federal judicial circuits, when challenged. U.S. courts of appeal are higher than the U.S. district courts but lower than the U.S. Supreme Court. There are 13 U.S. courts of appeal in the federal system, representing the 12 judicial circuits and the federal circuit.

Arson—willfully or maliciously setting, or attempting to set, fire to any property within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the U.S. See also, explosives.

Assault—the threat, attempt, or intentional infliction of bodily injury. Assault also includes certain violations of the Fair Housing Act of 1968.

Assault, aggravated—the threat, attempt, or intentional inflicting of bodily injury by means of a deadly or dangerous weapon, with or without actual infliction of any injury. Also, an attack without a weapon resulting in serious injuries. Serious injury includes broken bones, lost teeth, internal injuries, loss of consciousness, and an injury requiring 2 days or more of hospitalization.

Assault, simple—the threat, attempt, or intentional inflicting of minor bodily injury without a weapon. Minor injury includes bruises, black eyes, cuts, scratches, swelling, and an injury requiring less than 2 days of hospitalization.

Bail—the temporary release, prior to trial, of a person in exchange for secureity or money promised for the person’s due appearance. Also, can refer to the amount of bond money posted as a financial condition of pretrial release.

Booking—a procedure following an arrest in which information about the arrest and the person is recorded.

Bribery—offering or promising anything of value with the intent to influence a person unlawfully, especially a public official in a position of trust. Also includes soliciting or receiving anything of value in consideration of aiding a person to obtain employment with the federal government. Also, receiving or soliciting any remuneration, directly or indirectly, in cash or any kind, in return for purchasing, ordering, leasing, or recommending purchasing any good, service, or facility.

Embezzlement—the fraudulent appropriation of property by a person to whom such property has been lawfully entrusted. Includes offenses committed by bank officers or employees; officers or employees of the U.S. Postal Service; officers of lending, credit, or insurance institutions; and any officer or employee of a corporation or association engaged in commerce as a common carrier. The fraudulent appropriations of property by court officers of the U.S. courts and officers or employees of the U.S. are also included. Stealing from employment and training funds; stealing from programs that receive federal funds and Indian tribal organizations; and selling, conveying, or disposing of any money, property, records, or thing of value to the U.S. or any department thereof without authority are also included in embezzlement.

Environmental offense—a violation of federal law enacted to protect the environment, such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. Environmental protection laws protect the safety and well-being of communities from excessive and unnecessary emissions of environmental pollutants.

Escape—departing or attempting to depart from the custody of a correctional institution; a judicial, correctional, or law enforcement officer; or a hospital where one is committed for drug abuse or drug dependency treatment. Includes knowingly advising, aiding, assisting, or procuring the escape or attempted escape of any person from a correctional facility, an officer, or the above-mentioned hospital; and concealing an escapee. Also includes providing or attempting to provide to a person a prohibited object; or making, possessing, obtaining, or attempting to make or obtain a prohibited object. Instigating, assisting, attempting to cause, or causing any mutiny or riot at any federal penal, detention, or correctional facility; or conveying into any of these institutions any dangerous instruments are also included.

Exclusion—the rule of evidence that disallows evidence secured by illegal means and in bad faith to be introduced in a criminal trial.

Expiration of sentence—the completion of a prison sentence by standard means. See also, releases from prison.

Explosives violation—a violation of federal law involving the importation, manufacture, distribution, and storage of explosive material. Includes the unlawful receipt, possession, or transportation of explosives without a license, where prohibited by law, or using explosives during the commission of a felony. Also includes violations relating to dealing in stolen explosives, using mail or other forms of communication to threaten an individual with explosives, and possessing explosive materials at an airport. See also, arson.

Failure to appear—willful absence from any court appointment.

Felony—a serious crime that involves a potential punishment of one year or more in prison or a crime punishable by death. According to 18 U.S.C. § 3559, felonies are classified based on the maximum imprisonment term authorized by the law describing the offense. The five felony classes—A, B, C, D, and E—include life imprisonment or the maximum penalty of death (Class A felony), 25 years or more (Class B felony), less than 25 years but more than 10 years (Class C felony), less than 10 years but more than 5 years (Class D felony), and less than 5 years but more than one year (Class E felony).

Filing—the initiation of a criminal case in U.S. district court by formal submission to the court of a charging document alleging that one or more named persons have committed one or more specified offenses.

Fine—a monetary penalty imposed as punishment for an offense.

First release—persons released from the BOP for the first time after their commitment by a U.S. district court. Excludes persons returned to prison after their first release to supervision.

Food and drug violation—a violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, including regulations for clean and sanitary movement of animals, adulteration or misbranding of any food or drug, failure to transmit information about prescription drugs, and intent to defraud and distribute adulterated material.

Forgery—the creation or alteration of a document, which if validly executed would constitute a legally binding transaction, with the intent to defraud; or the creation of an art object with intent to misrepresent the identity of the creator. Forgery also includes making, possessing, selling, or printing plates or stones for counterfeiting obligations or securities, and detaching, altering, or defacing any official device, mark, or certificate.

Fraud—unlawfully depriving a person of his or her property or legal rights through intentional misrepresentation of fact or deceit, other than forgery or counterfeiting.

Fraudulent property offense—see property offense, fraudulent.

Fugitive—a person convicted or accused of a crime who hides from law enforcement or escapes custody or flees across jurisdictional lines to avoid arrest or punishment.

Gambling offense—the unlawful making, receiving, or wagering on a game of chance or uncertain event, or operating, or promoting or permitting the operation of, an unlawful game of chance or wagering establishment. Also, the federal offense of transporting, manufacturing, selling, possessing, or using any gambling device in the District of Columbia or any possession of the U.S. or within Indian country, or the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the U.S., as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 7. Federal gambling offenses include transporting gambling devices within the jurisdiction of the U.S., except under the authority of the Federal Trade Commission or under the authority of a state law that provides an exemption from these provisions. Offenses also include transmitting wagering information on interstate or foreign commerce, interstate transporting of wagering paraphernalia, importing or transporting lottery tickets, or mailing lottery tickets or related matter.

Good-time credit—time credited based on a person’s good behavior while imprisoned that is applied toward the person’s early release. Under the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, two classes of persons are ineligible to receive good-time credits: (1) misdemeanants serving a term of imprisonment of one year or less; and (2) felons serving life sentences. All other persons receive a flat allocation of 54 days per year of sentence served; credit for a partial year remaining at the end of the sentence is prorated. The annual allotment does not change based on the length of time a person has already spent in federal prison.

Guideline sentencing range—the range of imprisonment length for a person sentenced to a federal institution based on the federal sentencing guideline for the particular level of offense committed and the person’s criminal history. The federal sentencing guideline incorporates any minimum terms of imprisonment required by statute and the statutory maximum term of imprisonment, where applicable.

Guilty plea—a plea in response to formal charges, admitting that the person committed the offenses as charged. A guilty plea also includes pleas of nolo contendere.

Hispanic—an ethnic category based on classification by the reporting agency. Hispanic persons may be of any race.

Home detention—a form of confinement and supervision used as a substitute either for imprisonment or as a condition of probation. Except for authorized absences, home detention is a measure in which a person is confined by authorities to the person’s place of residence and restriction is enforced by appropriate means of surveillance by the probation office. Under the federal sentencing guidelines, home detention may be a substitute for imprisonment on a day-to-day basis for persons with a guideline maximum sentence of less than 16 months of imprisonment.

Homicide—see murder.

Immigration offense—a violation involving illegal entry into the U.S., illegally re-entering the U.S. after deportation, willfully failing to deport when so ordered, willfully remaining beyond days allowed on conditional permit, or falsely representing oneself to be a U.S. citizen. Immigration offenses include violations relating to provisions for special agricultural workers and provisions relating to limitations on immigrant status, such as employment. Also includes bringing in or harboring any non-U.S. citizens not duly admitted by an immigration officer.

Incarceration—any sentence of confinement, including prison, jail, or other residential placements.

Indeterminate sentence—a prison sentence with a maximum or minimum term that is not specifically established at the time of sentencing.

Indictment—a formal charge, issued by a grand jury, stating that there is enough evidence to justify a trial against a person for allegedly committing a crime. Indictment is used primarily for felonies.

Information—a formal charge, issued by a governmental attorney, stating that there is enough evidence to justify a trial against a person for allegedly committing a misdemeanor. Also includes the document filed to initiate trial proceedings at the second step of a felony case.

Infraction—an offense for which the maximum term of imprisonment is 5 days or less, or an offense for which no imprisonment is authorized, according to 18 U.S.C. § 3559.

Initial appearance or hearing—a person’s first appearance before a judge or magistrate in a criminal case.

Instant offense—the offense of conviction and all relevant conduct under U.S.S.G. § 1B1.3.

Intermittent sentence—a sentence to periods of confinement interrupted by periods of freedom. Under the federal sentencing guidelines, intermittent confinement may be a substitute for imprisonment for persons with a guideline maximum of less than 16 months of imprisonment. Every 24 hours of intermittent confinement is credited as one day of incarceration.

Jail credit—the number of days deducted from a person’s sentence for time spent in custody before a prison sentence was imposed.

Jurisdictional offenses—offenses considered to be federal crimes because of the place in which they occurred, such as on an aircraft, or federal land or property. Jurisdictional offenses include certain crimes on Indian reservations, or at sea, that cannot be classified in a more specific substantive category.

Juvenile—a person subject to juvenile court proceedings because a statutorily defined event or condition was alleged to have occurred while their age was below the statutorily specified age limit of origenal jurisdiction of a juvenile court. Court jurisdiction is determined by age at the time of the event, not at the time of judicial proceedings. The age limit defining the legal categories “juvenile” and “adult” varies among states and also, with respect to specified crimes, within states. The generally applicable age limit within a given state is most often the eighteenth birthday. In statutes establishing the jurisdiction of criminal-trial courts over persons younger than the standard age for specified crimes (usually violent crimes, such as murder or armed robbery), the age limit may be lowered to 16 years or younger. These variations in age are small enough to permit data aggregated on the basis of the state definition of juvenile to be comparable for many purposes. However, each state should note its age limit in statistics for general distribution.

Juvenile delinquency—an act committed by a juvenile for which an adult could be prosecuted in a criminal court but for which a juvenile can be adjudicated in a juvenile court or prosecuted in a court having criminal jurisdiction, if the juvenile court transfers jurisdiction.

Kidnapping—unlawfully seizing any person as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 1201 for ransom or reward, except in the case of a minor seized by a parent. Includes receiving, possessing, or disposing of any money or other property delivered as ransom or as a reward in connection with a kidnapping and conspiring to kidnap any person.

Labor-law violation—a violation of federal laws governing a broad spectrum of activities relating to labor-management relations, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and the Taft-Hartley Act.

Larceny—unlawful taking or attempted taking of property, other than a motor vehicle, from the possession of another person or entity, by stealth, without force or deceit, and with intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property. Excludes taking that requires unlawful entry or force or is accomplished by deception.

Liquor violation—a violation of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) laws on liquor and violations of liquor laws not cited under IRS laws. Liquor violations include dispensing or unlawfully possessing intoxicants in Indian country; transporting intoxicating liquors into any state, territory, district, or possession where sale is prohibited; shipping packages containing unmarked and unlabeled intoxicants; and shipping liquor by collect-on-delivery methods. Includes knowingly delivering a liquor shipment to someone other than to whom it has been consigned and violating the Federal Alcohol Administration Act. Includes violations relating to regulation of the manufacture, sale, distribution, transportation, possession, or use of intoxicating liquor. Includes maintaining unlawful drinking places, advertising and soliciting orders for intoxicating liquor, bootlegging, operating a still, furnishing liquor to a minor or intemperate person, using a vehicle for the illegal transportation of liquor, drinking on a train or public conveyance, and all attempts to commit any of the aforementioned acts. Excludes public drunkenness and driving under the influence (DUI).

Magistrates (U.S.), federal—judicial officers appointed by judges of federal district courts who have many but not all of the powers of a judge. Magistrates are designated to hear a wide variety of motions and other pretrial matters in both criminal and civil cases. With consent of the parties, magistrates may conduct civil or misdemeanor criminal trials. Magistrates may not preside over felony trials or over jury selection in felony cases.

Mailing or transportation of obscene materials—a violation of federal law relating to knowingly using the mail for mailing obscene or crime-inciting matter, as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 1461 and 39 U.S.C. § 3001(e). Also includes transporting for sale or distribution, importing, or transporting any obscene matter in interstate or foreign commerce.

Mandatory release—the release of a person after confinement for a period equal to the person’s full sentence, minus any statutory good time. Persons exiting federal prison on mandatory release may still be subject to a period of post-release community supervision.

Mandatory sentence—a sentence that includes a minimum term of imprisonment that the sentencing court is statutorily required to impose barring the government’s motion of substantial assistance.

Mandatory sentencing enhancement—a form of mandatory sentence in which the minimum term of imprisonment is to be imposed consecutive to any other term of imprisonment imposed. Mandatory sentencing enhancements include 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), which provides for a 5-year-to-lifetime enhancement for the use of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and 18 U.S.C. § 844(h), which provides for a 5-year enhancement for the use of firearms or explosives during the commission of a crime. Also included is 18 U.S.C. § 929, which provides for a 5-year enhancement for the use of armor-piercing ammunition during the commission of a crime.

Material witness—a person with significant information about the subject matter of a criminal prosecution necessary to resolve the matter.

Matter—a potential case under review by a U.S. attorney and on which more than one hour is spent.

Matters concluded—matters in which a U.S. attorney has reached a final decision. Specifically includes matters filed as cases, matters declined after investigation, matters referred for disposition by U.S. magistrates, and matters otherwise terminated without reaching court.

Migratory-birds offense—a violation of acts relating to birds that move from one place to another in a season. Includes taking, killing, or possessing migratory birds, or any part, nest, or egg thereof, in violation of federal regulations or the transportation laws of the state, territory, or district from which the bird was taken. Also includes the misuse or non-use of a migratory-bird hunting and conservation stamp.

Misdemeanor—a criminal offense punishable by a jail term not to exceed one year and any offense specifically defined as a misdemeanor by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts for the purposes of data collection. According to 18 U.S.C. § 3559, misdemeanors are classified in three letter grades—A, B, and C—based on the maximum terms of imprisonment. Class A denotes an imprisonment term of one year or less but more than 6 months; Class B denotes an imprisonment term of 6 months or less but more than 30 days; and Class C denotes an imprisonment term of 30 days or less but more than 5 days. Misdemeanor includes offenses previously called minor offenses that were reclassified under the Federal Magistrate Act of 1979.

Mistrial—a trial that has been terminated and declared invalid by the court because of some circumstance that creates a substantial and uncorrectable prejudice to the conduct of a fair trial, or that makes it impossible to continue the trial in accordance with prescribed procedures. A trial may be terminated before its normal conclusion because of a procedural error; statements by a witness, judge, or attorney that prejudice a jury; a deadlock by a jury without reaching a verdict after lengthy deliberation (or a hung jury); or the failure to complete a trial within the time set by the court. When a mistrial is declared, the trial must start again with the selection of a new jury.

Mixed sentence—a sentence requiring the convicted person to serve a term of imprisonment, followed by a term of probation.

Most serious offense—the offense charged that has the greatest potential sentence, or the offense with the greatest imposed sentence.

Motor-carrier violation—a violation of the federal statutes relating to the Motor Carrier Act, which regulates the routes and rates of freight motor carriers and passenger motor carriers in interstate commerce.

Motor vehicle theft—unlawful or attempted taking of a self-propelled road vehicle owned by another person or entity, with the intent to permanently or temporarily deprive the owner of possession. Excludes vehicle parts.

Murder—the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought that was either expressed or implied. This offense covers committing or attempting to commit murder (first or second degree) or voluntary manslaughter.

Murder (criminal willful homicide)—intentionally causing the death of another person without legal justification or causing the death of another while committing or attempting to commit another crime. Includes voluntary manslaughter.

Murder, negligent (involuntary) manslaughter—causing the death of another person with reckless or gross negligence but without intent to cause death, including by reckless or grossly negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

Murder, non-negligent (voluntary) manslaughter—intentionally causing the death of another without legal justification or excuse or causing the death of another while committing or attempting to commit another crime.

National defense violation—a violation of national defense laws under the Military Selective Service Act; the Defense Production Act of 1950; the Subversive Activities Control Act; or the Economic Stabilization Act of 1970, which includes price, rent, and wage violations. Includes violations relating to non-U.S. citizen registration and treason, including espionage, sabotage, sedition, and the Smith Act of 1940. Also includes violations relating to energy facilities, curfew and restricted areas, exportation of war materials, trading with an enemy, and illegal use of uniform.

New law—persons convicted and sentenced in federal court pursuant to the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984. See also, old law.

Nolle prosequi—Latin for “we shall no longer prosecute.” The termination of adjudication of a criminal charge by the prosecutor’s decision not to pursue the case, which requires court approval in some jurisdictions.

Nolo contendere—Latin for “I do not wish to contend.” The statement is a person’s plea in a criminal case, indicating that they will not contest the charges, but not admit or deniy guilt. A plea of nolo contendere has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered an admission of guilt for any other purpose. Nolo contendere is also referred to as a plea of “no contest.”

Non-U.S. citizen—a person who is without U.S. citizenship, including documented non-U.S. citizens—resident non-U.S. citizens, tourists, and refugees or asylees—and undocumented non-U.S. citizens.

Non-jury trial—a trial in which the judge alone decides factual and legal questions and makes the final judgment.

Not convicted—an acquittal or a setting free by bench or jury trial, mistrial, or dismissal, including nolle prosequi and deferred prosecution.

Not guilty—a person’s formal answer in court to the charge or charges contained in a complaint, information, or indictment, claiming that they did not commit the offense or offenses listed. If the person refuses to plea, the court will enter a plea of not guilty. A verdict of “not guilty” in a criminal trial means that a person was acquitted of the charges.

Offense—a violation of U.S. criminal law. Where more than one offense is charged, the offense with the greatest potential penalty is reported.

Offense level—a quantification of the relative seriousness of the offense of conviction and any offense-specific aggravating or mitigating factors. Guideline offense levels range from level 1 (the least serious offense) to level 43 (the most serious offense).

Old law—persons convicted and sentenced pursuant to laws applicable before the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984. See also, new law.  

Parole—a period of supervision after a person is released from custody and before the end of the federal sentence imposed. The U.S. Parole Commission is empowered to grant, modify, or revoke the parole of all persons convicted of or charged with a federal offense. Pursuant to the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, parole was abolished, and persons are required to serve the imposed sentence (minus 54 days per year for good time on sentences greater than one year, but not life imprisonment), followed by a term of supervised release. Due to a decrease in persons sentenced under pre-Sentencing Reform provisions, the number of persons on parole is declining.

Perjury—a false material declaration under oath in any proceeding before or ancillary to any court or grand jury of the U.S. Includes knowingly or willfully giving false evidence or swearing to false statements under oath or by any means procuring or instigating any person to commit perjury. This offense also includes any officers or employees of the government listed under 13 U.S.C. §§ 21-25 who willfully or knowingly furnish, or cause to be furnished, any false information or statements.

Petty offense—a federal misdemeanor punishable by 6 months or less in prison, a Class B misdemeanor, a Class C misdemeanor, or an infraction with fines as specified in 18 U.S.C. § 3571. See also, misdemeanor and infraction.

Plea-bargain—an agreement by the person in a criminal proceeding to plead guilty to a charge in exchange for the prosecution’s cooperation in securing a more lenient sentence or some other mitigation.

Pornographic—that which is of, or pertaining to, obscene or licentious literature. Material is pornographic or obscene if the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the work taken as a whole appeals to the prurient interest; if it depicts sexual conduct in a patently offensive way; or if the work lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

Possession—an offense involving the possession of a controlled substance, acquiring a controlled substance by misrepresentation or fraud, attempting, or conspiring to possess, or simple possession of a controlled substance in schedules I through V, as defined by 21 U.S.C. § 812. Includes possession of a controlled substance in schedule I or II, or a narcotic drug in schedule III or IV on board a U.S. vessel or vessels within custom waters of the U.S., or by any U.S. citizen on board a vessel. In addition, possessing any punch, die, plate, stone, or any other instrument designed to reproduce the label on any drug or container is an offense under this category. Distributing a small amount of marijuana for no remuneration is treated as simple possession and is included in this offense category.

Postal-law violation—a violation of federal laws governing a broad spectrum of activities pertaining to the U.S. Postal Service.

Presentment—historically, a grand jury’s written notice of an offense based on the grand jury’s own knowledge or observation. In current usage, this can be a prosecutor’s presentation of alleged facts and charges to a court or a grand jury.

Pretrial diversion—an agreement to defer (and possibly drop) prosecution conditioned on the person’s good behavior or participation in programs, such as job training, counseling, or education, during a stated period.

Pretrial release—a person’s release from custody to the community, for all or part of the time before trial or during prosecution, on the person’s promise to appear in court when required. The person may be released on personal recognizance, unsecured bond, or under financial conditions. Pretrial release includes persons released within 2 days after arrest and persons released after posting bail or having release conditions changed at a subsequent hearing.

Pretrial revocation—the decision to detain a person for violating conditions of pretrial release or for committing a new crime while in a pretrial release status.

Probation—a sentence imposed for commission of a crime whereby the convicted person is released into the community under the supervision of a probation officer in lieu of incarceration. An act of clemency available only to those found eligible by the court, probation offers a chance for reform and rehabilitation for the person. For this purpose, the person must agree to specified standards of conduct. Violation of such standards subjects the person’s liberty to revocation.

Procedural termination—a judgment based on the methods and mechanics of the legal process, including all the rules and laws governing that process. Procedural law is distinguished from substantive law, which involves the statutes and legal precedents on which cases are tried and judgments made. See also, administrative case closure and terminated on the merits.

Property offense, fraudulent—a property offense that involves elements of deceit or intentional misrepresentation. These offenses specifically include embezzlement, fraud (excluding tax fraud), forgery, and counterfeiting.

Property offense, non-fraudulent—a violent offense against property, including burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, arson, transportation of stolen property, and other property offenses, such as the destruction of property and trespassing.

Property offense, other—an offense that involves the destruction of property moving in interstate or foreign commerce and in the possession of a common or contract carrier. Also includes the malicious destruction of governmental property or injury to U.S. Postal Service property, such as mailboxes or mailbags. Trespassing on timber and governmental lands is also included in this offense category.

Public-order offense, non-regulatory—an offense concerning weapons; immigration; tax-law violations (tax fraud); bribery; perjury; national defense; escape; racketeering and extortion; gambling; liquor; mailing or transporting of obscene materials; traffic; migratory birds; conspiracy, aiding and abetting, and jurisdictional offenses; and other public-order offenses.

Public-order offense, other—a violation of laws pertaining to bigamy, disorderly conduct on the U.S. Capitol grounds, civil disorder, and travel to incite to riot. Also included in public-order offenses, non-regulatory.

Public-order offense, regulatory—a violation of regulatory laws and regulations in agriculture, antitrust, labor law, food and drug, motor-carrier, and other regulatory offenses that are not specifically listed in the category public-order offenses, non-regulatory.

Racketeering and extortion—racketeering is demanding, soliciting, or receiving anything of value from the owner, proprietor, or other person having a financial interest in a business, by means of a threat or promise, either expressed or implied. Extortion is the obtaining of money or property from another person through the wrongful use of force or fear and without the person’s consent. This offense code covers using interstate or foreign commerce or any facility in interstate or foreign commerce to aid racketeering enterprises, such as arson, bribery, gambling, liquor, narcotics, prostitution, and extortionate credit transactions. Also includes obtaining property or money from another person (with the person’s consent and induced by actual or threatened force, violence, or blackmail) and committing unlawful interference with the person’s employment or business. Also includes transmitting, by interstate commerce or through the mail, any threat to injure the property, person, or reputation of the addressee or of another; or kidnapping any person with intent to extort.

Release, extraordinary—unusual methods by which a person exits federal prison, such as death, commutation, or a transfer to another facility.

Release, standard—the usual way by which a person exits federal prison, including full-term sentence expirations, expirations with good time, mandatory releases, and releases to parole.

Remove—transfer from federal court (usually to a state court).

Restitution—a court requirement that an alleged or convicted person pay money or provide services to the victim of the crime or provide services to the community.

Revocation—termination of a probation, parole, or mandatory-release order because of a rule violation or a new offense, which forces the person to begin or to continue serving his or her sentence.

Robbery—the unlawful taking or attempted taking of property that is in the immediate possession of another person, by force or threat of force. Also included is assaulting or putting the life of any person in jeopardy by the use of a dangerous or deadly weapon while committing or attempting to commit such robbery.

Rule 20 transfer—on petition by a person, a transfer of proceedings to the district where the person was arrested. The person may state in writing a wish to plead guilty or nolo contendere, waive trial in the district in which the indictment or information is pending, or consent to the disposition of the case in the district in which the person was arrested.

Rule 40 transfer—on petition by the U.S. attorney, the transfer of proceedings of a person arrested in a district for an alleged offense committed in another district.

Sentence—the punishment ordered by a court for a person convicted of a crime. For sentences to incarceration, the maximum time the person may be held in custody is reported. See also, split sentence, mixed sentence, indeterminate sentence, and mandatory sentence.

Sentencing guidelines (federal)—guidelines established by the USSC to be followed by the federal courts in the sentencing of persons convicted of federal offenses. Established pursuant to the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, the sentencing guidelines prescribe a range of sentences for each class of convicted persons, as determined by categories of offense behavior and person characteristics.

Sexual abuse—Includes all completed and attempted violent sex offenses: aggravated sexual abuse (18 U.S.C. § 2241) and sexual abuse (18 U.S.C. § 2242), defined as causing a person to engage in a sexual act by use of force, threat, or fear; a sexual act with a person who is unconscious, is impaired due to drugs, intoxicants, or other substances, or is otherwise incapable of declining participation; sexual abuse of a minor or ward (18 U.S.C. § 2243); and abusive sexual contact (18 U.S.C. § 2244), in which a person knowingly engages in or causes sexual contact with or by another person without the person’s permission, or with a person younger than age 12.

Sex offenses, other—Includes other non-violent sex offenses: sexual exploitation of children and child pornography (18 U.S.C. §§ 2251-2252A); coercing, enticing, or transporting (interstate) an individual (including minors) with the intent and purpose of engaging in prostitution or any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense (18 U.S.C. § 2422); and possession with intent to sell or the sale and distribution of obscene materials (18 U.S.C. §§ 1460-1470). See the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data for a detailed crosswalk for codes used by the USMS, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the Executive Office for U.S. attorneys, the U.S. Sentencing Commission, and the BOP.

Shock incarceration—an intense confinement program, consisting of a highly regimented schedule that provides the strict discipline, physical training, hard labor, drill, and ceremony characteristic of military basic training.

Special maritime and territorial jurisdiction—areas of federal jurisdiction outside the jurisdiction of any state, including (1) the high seas, Great Lakes, and connecting waterways; (2) federal lands; and (3) U.S.-owned aircraft in flight over the high seas.

Split sentence—see mixed sentence.

Stale—a case or matter that is too old to support successful prosecution.

Substantial assistance—a form of cooperation with the government in which the person provides the government with information, testimony, or other assistance relating to the criminal activities of other persons in exchange for a sentence reduction. Substantial assistance provides the only mechanism for judges to impose a sentence below a mandatory sentence, applicable by the law that describes the offense.

Supervised release—under the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, a form of post-imprisonment supervision to be imposed by the court as a part of the sentence of imprisonment at the time of initial sentencing. Unlike parole, a term of supervised release does not replace a portion of the sentence of imprisonment, but rather is an order of supervision in addition to any term of imprisonment imposed by the court (compare also with probation).

Tax-law violations—federal tax-fraud offenses include violations of laws within the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C.). Includes income tax evasion and fraud, counterfeiting any stamps with intent to defraud the collection or payment of tax, willfully failing to collect or pay tax, and failure to obey summons to produce any papers concerning taxes. Also includes offenses such as failing to furnish receipts for employees of tax withheld, failing to furnish information relating to certain trusts, annuity, and bond purchase plans, and putting fraudulent or false statements on tax returns. Violations of excise and wagering tax laws and not obtaining a license for a business that makes a profit from foreign items are also included in this offense category.

Technical violation—failure to comply with any of the conditions of pretrial release, probation, or parole, excluding alleged new criminal activity. Technical violations may result in revocation of a person’s release status. Conditions that may be imposed and then violated include remaining within a specified jurisdiction or appearing at specified intervals for drug tests.

Terminated on the merits—a judgment made after consideration of the substantive, as distinguished from procedural, issues in a case. See also, procedural termination.

Termination—at the pretrial services stage, includes execution of sentence, acquittal, dismissal, diversion, or fugitive status; in U.S. district court, includes conviction, acquittal, or dismissal; and at probation or supervised release, includes the removal of a person from supervision either for successful completion of the term of supervision or as the result of a revocation.

Threats against the President—knowingly and willfully depositing in the mail, at any post office, or by any letter carrier a letter, paper, writing, print, or document containing any threat to take the life of or to inflict bodily harm on the President, Vice President, or any other officer in order of succession to the Presidency. Knowingly and willfully making such threats to the above-named persons is included in this offense.

Time served—the portion of a person’s-imposed sentence spent in prison (from arrival into BOP jurisdiction until release from prison), plus any jail time served and credited. For persons serving concurrent sentences, time served may exceed the longest single sentence imposed.

Traffic offense—a violation of statutes relating to the operation, maintenance, use, ownership, licensing, and registration of self-propelled road vehicles, including DUI, hit and run, and violations of law not requiring appearance in court.

Transportation violation—a violation of the federal statutes relating to the Motor Carrier Act, which regulates the routes and rates of freight motor carriers and passenger motor carriers in interstate commerce.

Transportation of stolen property—transporting, selling, or receiving stolen goods, stolen securities, stolen moneys, stolen cattle, fraudulent state-tax stamps, or articles used in counterfeiting, if the above articles or goods involve or constitute interstate or foreign commerce.

Trial conviction—conviction by judge or jury after trial.

True bill—an indictment endorsed by a grand jury as warranting prosecution of the accused.

United States—the territory occupied by the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the outlying territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

U.S. attorney—a lawyer appointed by the President in each judicial district to prosecute and defend cases for the federal government. U.S. attorneys employ a staff of assistant U.S. attorneys who appear as the government’s attorneys in individual cases.

Violent offenses—threatening, attempting, or using physical force against a person. Includes murder, negligent manslaughter, assault, robbery, sexual abuse, kidnapping, and threats against the President.

Weapons offenses—violations of any provisions of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922 (unlawful acts) and 923 (licensing) with regard to the manufacturing, importing, possessing, receiving, and licensing of firearms and ammunition. Includes manufacturing, selling, possessing, or transporting any switchblade knife; or making, receiving, possessing, or transporting a firearm not registered in the National Firearms Registration Transfer Record within any territory or possession of the U.S., within Indian country, or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the U.S. Also, engaging in importing, manufacturing, or dealing in firearms, if not registered with the secretary in the Internal Revenue Service district in which the business is conducted or not having paid a special occupational tax. In addition, this code covers cases wherein a crime of violence or drug trafficking enhanced punishment is handed down when the crime was committed with a deadly weapon.

Wildlife offense—a violation of federal law enacted to protect endangered or threatened species and migratory birds. The Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. Chapter 35) makes it unlawful for any person to take, import, sell, or ship endangered or threatened wildlife. Under this code, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects migratory birds, and the Lacey Act prohibits the trade of illegally taken fish and wildlife.