---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 25"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "25"
heading: "Use of minors in crimes of violence"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/25"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 1 — General Provisions"
---

# §25. Use of minors in crimes of violence

- (a) **Definitions.—** In this section, the following definitions shall apply:
  - (1) **Crime of violence.—** The term “crime of violence” has the meaning set forth in [section 16](/usc/18/16.md).
  - (2) **Minor.—** The term “minor” means a person who has not reached 18 years of age.
  - (3) **Uses.—** The term “uses” means employs, hires, persuades, induces, entices, or coerces.
- (b) **Penalties.—** Any person who is 18 years of age or older, who intentionally [uses](#a-3) a [minor](#a-2) to commit a [crime of violence](#a-1) for which such person may be prosecuted in a [court of the United States](/usc/18/23.md), or to assist in avoiding detection or apprehension for such an offense, shall—
  - (1) for the first conviction, be subject to twice the maximum term of imprisonment and twice the maximum fine that would otherwise be authorized for the offense; and
  - (2) for each subsequent conviction, be subject to 3 times the maximum term of imprisonment and 3 times the maximum fine that would otherwise be authorized for the offense.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 108–21, title VI, § 601[(a)], Apr. 30, 2003, 117 Stat. 686.)