DETERRENCE Act

This bill lets judges add extra prison time when serious crimes are done for, or in coordination with, a foreign government or one of its agents. It targets crimes like kidnapping, murder-for-hire, stalking, harming or threatening federal officials and their families, harming U.S. officers and employees, and crimes against the President and senior staff.

Key points

• Who is affected: People who commit certain crimes at the direction of a foreign government; victims include federal officials, their families, U.S. officers and employees, and protected leaders like the President .
• What changes: Judges may add extra years to sentences when these crimes are tied to a foreign government, if the person acted knowingly.
• Examples of added time:
  • Kidnapping: up to 10 extra years; conspiracy up to 10; attempt up to 5.
  • Murder-for-hire: up to 5 extra years, or up to 10 if someone is injured.
  • Threats/attacks using a federal official’s family: up to 5 for certain assaults; up to 10 if there’s bodily injury, sexual assault conduct, or a weapon; up to 10 for murder, attempted murder, or conspiracy to murder .
  • Stalking: up to 30 months in general; up to 5 if there’s serious injury, a weapon, or the victim is under 18; up to 10 if the victim dies.
  • Attacks on U.S. officers/employees: up to 10 extra years.
  • Crimes against the President and certain protected people: up to 10 extra years for several offenses and conspiracies, including cases with weapons or injuries.

In short, if a foreign government is behind these crimes, the court can add significant time in prison to the sentence.