---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 753"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "753"
heading: "Rescue to prevent execution"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/753"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 35 — Escape and Rescue"
---

# §753. Rescue to prevent execution


[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1), by force, sets at liberty or rescues any [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) found guilty in any court of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) of any capital crime, while going to execution or during execution, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty-five years, or both.


## Source credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 735; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(O), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2148.)

## Notes

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 248 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 142, 35 Stat. 1114).

Mandatory punishment provision was rephrased in the alternative.

Minor changes were made in phraseology.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $25,000”.