Us Code § 2253 - Criminal forfeiture

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 2253 — Criminal forfeiture, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 2253. Criminal forfeiture

(a) Property Subject to Criminal Forfeiture.—A person who is convicted of an offense under this chapter involving a visual depiction described in section 2251, 2251A, 2252, 2252A, or 2260 of this chapter or who is convicted of an offense under section 2252B of this chapter,,1 or who is convicted of an offense under chapter 109A, shall forfeit to the United States such person's interest in—

(1) any visual depiction described in section 2251, 2251A, or 2252 2 2252A, 2252B, or 2260 of this chapter, or any book, magazine, periodical, film, videotape, or other matter which contains any such visual depiction, which was produced, transported, mailed, shipped or received in violation of this chapter;

(2) any property, real or personal, constituting or traceable to gross profits or other proceeds obtained from such offense; and

(3) any property, real or personal, used or intended to be used to commit or to promote the commission of such offense or any property traceable to such property.


(b) Section 413 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 853) with the exception of subsections (a) and (d), applies to the criminal forfeiture of property pursuant to subsection (a).

(Added Pub. L. 98–292, §6, May 21, 1984, 98 Stat. 205; amended Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, §7522(c), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4494; Pub. L. 101–647, title XXXV, §3564, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4928; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330011(m)(1), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2145; Pub. L. 105–314, title VI, §602, Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 2982; Pub. L. 109–248, title V, §505(b), (c), July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 630.)


Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 2253 was redesignated section 2256 of this title.

Amendments

2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–248, §505(b)(1), inserted "or who is convicted of an offense under section 2252B of this chapter," after "2260 of this chapter" and substituted "an offense under chapter 109A" for "an offense under section 2421, 2422, or 2423 of chapter 117" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 109–248, §505(b)(2), inserted "2252A, 2252B, or 2260" after "2252".

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 109–248, §505(b)(3), inserted "or any property traceable to such property" before period at end.

Subsecs. (b) to (o). Pub. L. 109–248, §505(c), added subsec. (b) and struck out former subsecs. (b) to (o) which related, respectively, to third party transfers, protective orders, warrant of seizure, order of forfeiture, execution of order, disposition of property, authority of Attorney General, applicability of civil forfeiture provisions, bar on intervention, jurisdiction to enter orders, depositions, third party interests, construction of section, and substitute assets.

1998—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–314 substituted "2252, 2252A, or 2260 of this chapter, or who is convicted of an offense under section 2421, 2422, or 2423 of chapter 117," for "or 2252 of this chapter".

1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–322, §330011(m)(1), amended directory language of Pub. L. 101–647, §3564(1). See 1990 Amendment note below.

1990—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101–647, §3564(1), as amended by Pub. L. 103–322, §330011(m)(1), substituted "section 2251" for "sections 2251" in introductory provisions and in par. (1).

Subsec. (h)(4). Pub. L. 101–647, §3564(2), substituted "under section 616 of the Tariff Act of 1930" for "in accordance with the provisions of section 1616, title 19, United States Code".

1988—Pub. L. 100–690 amended section generally, substituting subsecs. (a) to (o) for former subsecs. (a) to (d).


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330011(m), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2145, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective as of Nov. 29, 1990.

1 So in original. The extra comma probably should follow "2260 of this chapter".

2 So in original. Probably should be "2251A, 2252,".

About This Section

18 U.S.C. § 2253 is part of Title 18 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 18 U.S.C. § 2253. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.

Using This Page

This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 2253

What does United States Code § 2253 cover?

Section 2253 ("Criminal forfeiture") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 2253?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 2253" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 2253 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.