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[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 18USC3571]

 
                 TITLE 18--CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
 
                       PART II--CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
 
                         CHAPTER 227--SENTENCES
 
                           SUBCHAPTER C--FINES
 
Sec. 3571. Sentence of fine

    (a) In General.--A defendant who has been found guilty of an offense 
may be sentenced to pay a fine.
    (b) Fines for Individuals.--Except as provided in subsection (e) of 
this section, an individual who has been found guilty of an offense may 
be fined not more than the greatest of--
        (1) the amount specified in the law setting forth the offense;
        (2) the applicable amount under subsection (d) of this section;
        (3) for a felony, not more than $250,000;
        (4) for a misdemeanor resulting in death, not more than 
    $250,000;
        (5) for a Class A misdemeanor that does not result in death, not 
    more than $100,000;
        (6) for a Class B or C misdemeanor that does not result in 
    death, not more than $5,000; or
        (7) for an infraction, not more than $5,000.

    (c) Fines for Organizations.--Except as provided in subsection (e) 
of this section, an organization that has been found guilty of an 
offense may be fined not more than the greatest of--
        (1) the amount specified in the law setting forth the offense;
        (2) the applicable amount under subsection (d) of this section;
        (3) for a felony, not more than $500,000;
        (4) for a misdemeanor resulting in death, not more than 
    $500,000;
        (5) for a Class A misdemeanor that does not result in death, not 
    more than $200,000;
        (6) for a Class B or C misdemeanor that does not result in 
    death, not more than $10,000; and
        (7) for an infraction, not more than $10,000.

    (d) Alternative Fine Based on Gain or Loss.--If any person derives 
pecuniary gain from the offense, or if the offense results in pecuniary 
loss to a person other than the defendant, the defendant may be fined 
not more than the greater of twice the gross gain or twice the gross 
loss, unless imposition of a fine under this subsection would unduly 
complicate or prolong the sentencing process.
    (e) Special Rule for Lower Fine Specified in Substantive 
Provision.--If a law setting forth an offense specifies no fine or a 
fine that is lower than the fine otherwise applicable under this section 
and such law, by specific reference, exempts the offense from the 
applicability of the fine otherwise applicable under this section, the 
defendant may not be fined more than the amount specified in the law 
setting forth the offense.

(Added Pub. L. 98-473, title II, Sec. 212(a)(2), Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 
1995; amended Pub. L. 100-185, Sec. 6, Dec. 11, 1987, 101 Stat. 1280.)


                            Prior Provisions

    For a prior section 3571, applicable to offenses committed prior to 
Nov. 1, 1987, see note set out preceding section 3551 of this title.


                               Amendments

    1987--Pub. L. 100-185 amended section generally, revising and 
restating as subsecs. (a) to (e) provisions formerly contained in 
subsecs. (a) and (b).


                             Effective Date

    Section effective Nov. 1, 1987, and applicable only to offenses 
committed after the taking effect of this section, see section 235(a)(1) 
of Pub. L. 98-473, set out as a note under section 3551 of this title.

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in sections 3, 19, 248, 373, 1031 of 
this title; title 13 section 305; title 15 section 6823; title 20 
sections 9573, 9622; title 28 section 636; title 31 section 5324; title 
42 sections 2273, 7412; title 49 section 11908.