---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 3281"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "3281"
heading: "Capital offenses"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/3281"
units:
  - "Part II — Criminal Procedure"
  - "Chapter 213 — Limitations"
---

# §3281. Capital offenses


An indictment for any [offense](/usc/18/3156.md?p=a-2) punishable by death may be found at any time without limitation.


## Source credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 827; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330004(16), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2142.)

## Notes

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §§ 581a, 581b (Aug. 4, 1939, ch. 419, §§ 1, 2, 53 Stat. 1198).

Sections 581a and 581b of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., were consolidated into this section without change of substance.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 struck out before period at end “except for offenses barred by the provisions of law existing on August 4, 1939”.