Skip to main content
CRM 1000-1499

1081. Overview of Solicitation

Section 373 of Title 18 defines and punishes the offense of solicitation to commit a Federal crime of violence. This section was enacted by Congress in 1984 as part of the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984. The provision reflects the judgment of Congress that "a person who makes a serious effort to induce another person to commit a crime of violence is a clearly dangerous person and that his act deserves criminal sanctions whether or not the crime of violence is actually committed." S. Rep. No. 98-225, 98th Cong., 2d Sess. 308 (1984), reprinted in 1984 U.S. Code Cong. & Adm. News 3182, 3487. The purpose of the statute "is to allow law enforcement officials to intervene at an early stage where there has been a clear demonstration of an individual's criminal intent and danger to society." Id.

[cited in JM 9-60.500]