---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 4"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "4"
heading: "Misprision of felony"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/4"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 1 — General Provisions"
---

# §4. Misprision of felony


[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1), having knowledge of the actual commission of a felony cognizable by a court of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), conceals and does not as soon as possible make known the same to some judge or other [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) in civil or military authority under the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.


## Source credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 684; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(G), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

## Notes

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C. 1940 ed., § 251 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 146, 35 Stat. 1114).

Changes in phraseology only.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $500”.