{"id":352145,"date":"2023-07-24T17:02:25","date_gmt":"2023-07-24T22:02:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/sedition.html"},"modified":"2025-07-07T13:34:18","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T18:34:18","slug":"sedition","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/sedition.html","title":{"rendered":"Sedition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Sedition<\/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

Sedition is a serious felony in the United States. This crime is punishable by fines and prison time. Sedition is inciting revolt or violence against a lawful authority to destroy or overthrow it.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

This article gives an overview of this particular crime against the government. It also provides historical references.<\/p>\n

This area of criminal law can be a dauntingly complicated one. It’s important to contact an attorney<\/a> if you need help with such a legal matter. When facing such charges and being accused of attempting to overthrow the federal government, you face serious criminal allegations.<\/p>\n

Example of Sedition Crime<\/h2>\n

Consider the following scenario. A small group of armed militants has devised plans to distribute firearms and take over the United States Capitol. They’ve done so over a period of a few months. Suppose, too, that they have done so using a website on the “deep web<\/a>.” Everything the group has done points to how deadly serious it is in its intentions to overthrow the U.S. government.<\/p>\n

As the group is organizing, the FBI launches an investigation into its activities. Members of the group are arrested, and the attack never takes place. Sharing information and discussing ideas is generally protected as free speech. But the FBI believes what the group posts to the website crosses the line.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The FBI charges the alleged ringleaders of the plot with “seditious conspiracy.” This is a federal crime related to treason and other anti-government offenses. Also known as “sedition<\/a>,” seditious conspiracy carries heavy criminal penalties.<\/p>\n

Seditious Conspiracy and Federal Law<\/h2>\n

The federal law against seditious conspiracy is in\u00a0Title 18 of the U.S. Code<\/a>, specifically\u00a018 U.S.C. \u00a7 2384<\/a>. That section of the U.S. Code deals with treason, rebellion, and similar offenses.<\/p>\n

What Is the Legal Definition of Sedition?<\/h3>\n

The U.S. Code defines sedition as a crime involving two or more people in the United States for any of the following purposes:<\/p>\n