Penalty Info

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Weapons of mass destructionPossibly — unconfirmed

Possibly — unconfirmed

Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.

Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed

§ 175(a) — Biological weaponsPossibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
Life or any term of years
Fine
Per § 3571 cap (see fine-cap note)

§ 175(b) — Possession of a biological agent without peaceful justificationPossibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0 (no mandatory prison) – 10 years
Fine
Per § 3571 cap (see fine-cap note)

0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.

§ 229A — Chemical weaponsPossibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
Any term of years; death results → death or life
Fine
Per § 3571 cap (see fine-cap note)

§ 831(b)(1) — Nuclear materialsPossibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0 (no mandatory prison) – 20 years; knowingly causing death, or extreme-indifference reckless death / serious bodily injury under (a)(1) or (a)(3) → any term of years up to life
Fine
Per § 3571 cap (see fine-cap note)

0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.

§ 831(b)(2) — ConspiracyPossibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0 (no mandatory prison) – 20 years if the object is punishable under (b)(1)(B)(i), otherwise 0–10 years
Fine
Per § 3571 cap (see fine-cap note)

0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.

42 U.S.C. § 2122 — Nuclear materials (Atomic Energy Act)Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
Not separately tiered — see § 831
Fine
Per § 3571 cap (see fine-cap note)

Listed for completeness; penalty text not yet confirmed.

Source

Statute
18 U.S.C. §§ 175, 229, 229A, 831; 42 U.S.C. § 2122
Official source
uscode.house.gov (search-snippet corroboration)
Verification status
§ 175 verified from official text; §§ 229, 229A, 831 corroborated via official-text snippets; 42 U.S.C. § 2122 not separately verified.
Last verified
2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not “your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.