---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 2234"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "2234"
heading: "Authority exceeded in executing warrant"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/2234"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 109 — Searches and Seizures"
---

# §2234. Authority exceeded in executing warrant


[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1), in executing a search warrant, willfully exceeds his authority or exercises it with unnecessary severity, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.


## Source credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 803; Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, § 601(a)(8), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3498; Pub. L. 107–273, div. B, title III, § 3002(a)(3), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1805.)

## Notes

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 631 (June 15, 1917, ch. 30, title XI, § 21, 40 Stat. 230).

Minor changes were made in phraseology.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2002—Pub. L. 107–273 inserted “, or both” after “year”.

1996—Pub. L. 104–294 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $1,000”.