Sentencing Classification and Default Federal Criminal Fines by Authorized Prison Term
Summary
Information as of March 19, 2025. Prepared by Peter G. Berris, Legislative Attorney, and Jamie Bush, Visual Information Specialist.
Additional information about default nes, sentencing classifications, and punishment may be found in CRS Report R48177,
Components of Federal Criminal Law.
Source: 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571
a If the underlying statute species a ne greater than that specified in 18 U.S.C. § 3571, then the maximum is the amount authorized by the
underlying statute. 18 U.S.C. § 3571(b)(1). If, however, "a law setting forth an offense species no ne or a ne that is lower than the ne otherwise
applicable under [§ 3571]," then the higher ne under § 3571 is the maximum unless the other law "by specific reference, exempts the offense
from the applicability of the ne otherwise applicable under [§ 3571]." Id. § 3571(e).
b If "any person derives pecuniary gain from the offense, or if the offense results in pecuniary loss to a person other than the defendant," then the
maximum ne level is the greater of the amount specied or twice the gain or loss associated with the offense. 18 U.S.C. § 3571(d).
Sentencing Classification
and Default Federal Criminal Fines
by Authorized Prison Term
Class C misdemeanor $5,000; or $250,000
if offense results in
death
Class B misdemeanor
Class A misdemeanor
Class E felony $250,000b $500,000b
Class D felony $250,000b $500,000b
Class C felony $250,000b $500,000b
Class B felony $250,000b $500,000b
Class A felony $250,000b $500,000b
CORRESPONDING
SENTENCING
CLASSIFICATION
CORRESPONDING
MAXIMUM FINE FOR
INDIVIDUALS IF NOT
OTHERWISE
SPECIFIED
"Thirty days or less but
more than five days"
"One year or less but
more than six months"
"Six months or less but
more than thirty days"
"Less than five years
but more than one
year"
"Less than ten years
but five or more years"
"Twenty-five years or
more"
"Life imprisonment, or
if the maximum
penalty is death"
"Less than twenty-five
years but ten or more
years"
PRISON TERM
AUTHORIZED BY
UNDERLYING
STATUTE
CORRESPONDING
MAXIMUM FINE FOR
ORGANIZATIONS IF
NOT OTHERWISE
SPECIFIED
"Five days or less, or if Infraction $5,000b $10,000b
no imprisonment is
authorized"
$5,000; or $250,000
if offense results in
death
$10,000; or $500,000
if offense results in
death
$10,000; or $500,000
if offense results in
death
$100,000; or $250,000
if offense results in
death
$200,000; or $500,000
if offense results in
death
Instead of explicitly providing a ne amount, many federal criminal statutes authorize nes by stating that
violators shall be fined under, or in accordance with, Title 18 of the United States Code. Such language triggers
18 U.S.C. § 3571, a default statute that sets the maximum authorized ne based on the classification of the
underlying offense, which itself depends on the maximum authorized prison term. This infographic depicts
the sentencing classification and default ne that typically corresponds to a particular statute based on the
maximum prison term authorized. For example, for offenses punishable by a maximum of one year of
imprisonment (Class A misdemeanors), the maximum authorized ne for individuals is generally $100,000.