{"id":352121,"date":"2023-08-02T17:07:10","date_gmt":"2023-08-02T22:07:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/presidential-assassination.html"},"modified":"2023-08-02T17:07:10","modified_gmt":"2023-08-02T22:07:10","slug":"presidential-assassination","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/presidential-assassination.html","title":{"rendered":"Presidential Assassination"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Presidential Assassination<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Eric Harvey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Presidential assassination is a federal crime in the U.S., punishable by life imprisonment or the death penalty. The law also criminalizes attempts, conspiracies, and assaults against the president and other high-ranking officials. These offenses are investigated and prosecuted with the utmost severity in federal court.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The assassination of the president of the United States is a\u00a0crime against the government<\/a>. While it has happened infrequently in the U.S., Courts penalize it with tremendous severity. The crime consists of several elements, all of which entail the most severe penalties.<\/p>\n

In American history, there have been only four U.S. Presidents assassinated:<\/p>\n