---
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"
date: "2026-07-12"
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.
  - (2) **Minor.—** The term “[minor](/usc/18/2256.md?p=1)” means a [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) 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](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) who is 18 years of age or older, who intentionally uses a [minor](/usc/18/2256.md?p=1) to commit a crime of violence for which such [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) may be prosecuted in a court of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), 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.)