Predicate offense

Definition

An underlying crime that must be committed as a prerequisite for another criminal charge. Section 924(c) requires that the gun be used during a 'crime of violence or drug trafficking crime,' which is its predicate offense. Similarly, § 924(j) requires a violation of § 924(c) as its predicate.

Examples

• •The robbery of Gamar Dafalla was the predicate offense for the § 924(c) charge, and the § 924(c) violation was in turn the predicate for the § 924(j) murder charge.

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