18 U.S.C. § 245 – Federally Protected Activities
This law makes it a federal crime to use force or threats to interfere with certain civil rights and federally protected activities because of race, color, religion, or national origin.
This statute targets violent or threatening conduct intended to interfere with a person’s participation in activities protected by federal law.
It applies to interference with voting, education, employment, jury service, travel, public accommodations, federally funded programs, and other protected activities when motivated by race, color, religion, or national origin.
What the law prohibits.
A person violates this statute if they, by force or threat of force, willfully:
- Injure, intimidate, or interfere with a person because they are or have been voting, running for office, participating in an election, or serving in an election-related role
- Injure, intimidate, or interfere with a person because they are participating in or receiving benefits from a program, service, or activity provided or administered by the United States
- Injure, intimidate, or interfere with a person because of their race, color, religion, or national origin and because they are attending school, working, serving on a jury, traveling in interstate commerce, or using public accommodations
- Injure, intimidate, or interfere with a person because they are lawfully aiding or encouraging others to participate in protected activities without discrimination
- Injure, intimidate, or interfere with a person engaged in a business affecting interstate commerce during or incident to a riot or civil disorder
Penalties.
A person convicted under this statute shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.
If bodily injury results, or if the offense includes the use, attempted use, or threatened use of a dangerous weapon, explosives, or fire, the penalty is a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than ten years, or both.
If death results, or if the offense includes kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, the penalty is a fine under this title or imprisonment for any term of years or for life, or both, and the defendant may be sentenced to death.
If you’re being investigated or charged under a federal civil rights interference statute, call (314) 900-HELP or contact our criminal defense attorneys to discuss your situation.
