18 U.S.C. § 831 (2024) — Title 18: CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / Chapter 39 / Section 831: Prohibited transactions involving nuclear materials
Prohibited transactions involving nuclear materials
Status: in_force

(a) Whoever, if one of the circumstances described in subsection (c) of this section occurs—

(1) without lawful authority, intentionally receives, possesses, uses, transfers, alters, disposes of, or disperses any nuclear material or nuclear byproduct material and—

(A) thereby knowingly causes the death of or serious bodily injury to any person or substantial damage to property or to the environment; or

(B) circumstances exist, or have been represented to the defendant to exist, that are likely to cause the death or serious bodily injury to any person, or substantial damage to property or to the environment;

(2) with intent to deprive another of nuclear material or nuclear byproduct material, knowingly—

(A) takes and carries away nuclear material or nuclear byproduct material of another without authority;

(B) makes an unauthorized use, disposition, or transfer, of nuclear material or nuclear byproduct material belonging to another; or

(C) uses fraud and thereby obtains nuclear material or nuclear byproduct material belonging to another;

(3) without lawful authority, intentionally carries, sends or moves nuclear material into or out of a country;

(4) knowingly—

(A) uses force; or

(B) threatens or places another in fear that any person other than the actor will imminently be subject to bodily injury;

and thereby takes nuclear material or nuclear byproduct material belonging to another from the person or presence of any other;

(5) intentionally intimidates any person and thereby obtains nuclear material or nuclear byproduct material belonging to another;

(6) with intent to compel any person, international organization, or governmental entity to do or refrain from doing any act, knowingly threatens to engage in conduct described in paragraph (2)(A) or (3) of this subsection;

(7) knowingly threatens to use nuclear material or nuclear byproduct material to cause death or serious bodily injury to any person or substantial damage to property or to the environment under circumstances in which the threat may reasonably be understood as an expression of serious purposes;

(8) attempts to commit any act prohibited under paragraphs (1) through (5) of this subsection; or

(9) is a party to a conspiracy of two or more persons to commit any act prohibited under paragraphs (1) through (7) of this subsection, if any of the parties intentionally engages in any conduct in furtherance of such offense;

shall be punished as provided in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) The punishment for an offense under—

(1) paragraphs (1) through (8) of subsection (a) of this section is—

(A) a fine under this title; and

(B) imprisonment—

(i) for any term of years or for life (I) if, while committing the offense, the offender knowingly causes the death of any person; or (II) if, while committing an offense under paragraph (1) or (3) of subsection (a) of this section, the offender, under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the life of an individual, knowingly engages in any conduct and thereby recklessly causes the death of or serious bodily injury to any person; and

(ii) for not more than 20 years in any other case; and

(2) paragraph (9) of subsection (a) of this section is—

(A) a fine under this title; and

(B) imprisonment—

(i) for not more than 20 years if the offense which is the object of the conspiracy is punishable under paragraph (1)(B)(i); and

(ii) for not more than 10 years in any other case.

(c) The circumstances referred to in subsection (a) of this section are that—

(1) the offense is committed in the United States or the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, or the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States (as defined in section 46501 of title 49);

(2) an offender or a victim is—

(A) a national of the United States or a stateless person whose habitual residence is in the United States; or

(B) a United States corporation or other legal entity;

(3) after the conduct required for the offense occurs the defendant is found in the United States, even if the conduct required for the offense occurs outside the United States;

(4) the conduct required for the offense occurs with respect to the carriage of a consignment of nuclear material or nuclear byproduct material by any means of transportation intended to go beyond the territory of the state where the shipment originates beginning with the departure from a facility of the shipper in that state and ending with the arrival at a facility of the receiver within the state of ultimate destination and either of such states is the United States;

(5) the offense is committed on board a vessel of the United States or a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States (as defined in section 70502 of title 46) or on board an aircraft that is registered under United States law, at the time the offense is committed;

(6) the offense is committed outside the United States and against any state or government facility of the United States; or

(7) the offense is committed in an attempt to compel the United States to do or abstain from doing any act, or constitutes a threat directed at the United States.

(d) Nonapplicability.—This section does not apply to—

(1) the activities of armed forces during an armed conflict, as those terms are understood under the law of war, which are governed by that law; or

(2) activities undertaken by military forces of a state in the exercise of their official duties.

(e) The Attorney General may request assistance from the Secretary of Defense under chapter 18 of title 10 in the enforcement of this section and the Secretary of Defense may provide such assistance in accordance with chapter 18 of title 10, except that the Secretary of Defense may provide such assistance through any Department of Defense personnel.

(f)(1) The Attorney General may also request assistance from the Secretary of Defense under this subsection in the enforcement of this section. Notwithstanding section 1385 of this title, the Secretary of Defense may, in accordance with other applicable law, provide such assistance to the Attorney General if—

(A) an emergency situation exists (as jointly determined by the Attorney General and the Secretary of Defense in their discretion); and

(B) the provision of such assistance will not adversely affect the military preparedness of the United States (as determined by the Secretary of Defense in such Secretary's discretion).

(2) As used in this subsection, the term "emergency situation" means a circumstance—

(A) that poses a serious threat to the interests of the United States; and

(B) in which—

(i) enforcement of the law would be seriously impaired if the assistance were not provided; and

(ii) civilian law enforcement personnel are not capable of enforcing the law.

(3) Assistance under this section may include—

(A) use of personnel of the Department of Defense to arrest persons and conduct searches and seizures with respect to violations of this section; and

(B) such other activity as is incidental to the enforcement of this section, or to the protection of persons or property from conduct that violates this section.

(4) The Secretary of Defense may require reimbursement as a condition of assistance under this section.

(5) The Attorney General may delegate the Attorney General's function under this subsection only to a Deputy, Associate, or Assistant Attorney General.

(g) As used in this section—

(1) the term "nuclear material" means material containing any—

(A) plutonium;

(B) uranium not in the form of ore or ore residue that contains the mixture of isotopes as occurring in nature;

(C) enriched uranium, defined as uranium that contains the isotope 233 or 235 or both in such amount that the abundance ratio of the sum of those isotopes to the isotope 238 is greater than the ratio of the isotope 235 to the isotope 238 occurring in nature; or

(D) uranium 233;

(2) the term "nuclear byproduct material" means any material containing any radioactive isotope created through an irradiation process in the operation of a nuclear reactor or accelerator;

(3) the term "international organization" means a public international organization designated as such pursuant to section 1 of the International Organizations Immunities Act (22 U.S.C. 288) or a public organization created pursuant to treaty or other agreement under international law as an instrument through or by which two or more foreign governments engage in some aspect of their conduct of international affairs;

(4) the term "serious bodily injury" means bodily injury which involves—

(A) a substantial risk of death;

(B) extreme physical pain;

(C) protracted and obvious disfigurement; or

(D) protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty;

(5) the term "bodily injury" means—

(A) a cut, abrasion, bruise, burn, or disfigurement;

(B) physical pain;

(C) illness;

(D) impairment of a function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty; or

(E) any other injury to the body, no matter how temporary;

(6) the term "national of the United States" has the same meaning as in section 101(a)(22) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(22));

(7) the term "United States corporation or other legal entity" means any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of the United States or any State, Commonwealth, territory, possession, or district of the United States;

(8) the term "armed conflict" has the meaning given that term in section 2332f(e)(11) of this title;

(9) the term "military forces of a state" means the armed forces of a country that are organized, trained and equipped under its internal law for the primary purpose of national defense or security and persons acting in support of those armed forces who are under their formal command, control and responsibility;

(10) the term "state" has the same meaning as that term has under international law, and includes all political subdivisions thereof;

(11) the term "state or government facility" has the meaning given that term in section 2332f(e)(3) of this title; and

(12) the term "vessel of the United States" has the meaning given that term in section 70502 of title 46.

(Added Pub. L. 97–351, §2(a), Oct. 18, 1982, 96 Stat. 1663; amended Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, §7022, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4397; Pub. L. 103–272, §5(e)(6), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1374; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(2)(C), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2148; Pub. L. 104–132, title V, §502, Apr. 24, 1996, 110 Stat. 1282; Pub. L. 114–23, title VIII, §812, June 2, 2015, 129 Stat. 311.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 831, acts June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 738; Sept. 6, 1960, Pub. L. 86–710, 74 Stat. 808; July 27, 1965, Pub. L. 89–95, 79 Stat. 285; Oct. 17, 1978, Pub. L. 95–473; §2(a)(1)(A), 92 Stat. 1464, defined terms used in this chapter, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 96–129, title II, §216(b), Nov. 30, 1979, 93 Stat. 1015. For savings provisions regarding former section 831, see section 218 of Pub. L. 96–129, set out as a note under former sections 832 to 835 of this title.

Amendments

2015—Subsec. (a)(3) to (7). Pub. L. 114–23, §812(a)(1), (2), added par. (3) and redesignated former pars. (3) to (6) as (4) to (7), respectively. Former par. (7) redesignated (8).

Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 114–23, §812(a)(1), (3), redesignated par. (7) as (8) and substituted "any act prohibited under paragraphs (1) through (5)" for "an offense under paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4)".

Subsec. (a)(9). Pub. L. 114–23, §812(a)(1), (4), redesignated par. (8) as (9) and substituted "any act prohibited under paragraphs (1) through (7)" for "an offense under paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4)".

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 114–23, §812(b)(1), substituted "through (8)" for "through (7)" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 114–23, §812(b)(2), substituted "paragraph (9)" for "paragraph (8)" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c)(2)(A). Pub. L. 114–23, §812(c)(1), inserted "or a stateless person whose habitual residence is in the United States" before semicolon.

Subsec. (c)(5) to (7). Pub. L. 114–23, §812(c)(2)–(4), added pars. (5) to (7) and struck out former par. (5) which read as follows: "either—

"(A) the governmental entity under subsection (a)(5) is the United States; or

"(B) the threat under subsection (a)(6) is directed at the United States."

Subsecs. (d) to (g). Pub. L. 114–23, §812(d), (e), added subsec. (d) and redesignated former subsecs. (d) to (f) as (e) to (g), respectively.

Subsec. (g)(8) to (12). Pub. L. 114–23, §812(f), added pars. (8) to (12).

1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–132, §502(1)(A), substituted "nuclear material or nuclear byproduct material" for "nuclear material" wherever appearing.

Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 104–132, §502(1)(B)(i), inserted "or to the environment" after "damage to property".

Subsec. (a)(1)(B). Pub. L. 104–132, §502(1)(B)(ii), amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows: "knows that circumstances exist which are likely to cause the death of or serious bodily injury to any person or substantial damage to property;".

Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 104–132, §502(1)(C), inserted "or to the environment" after "damage to property".

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 104–132, §502(2)(A), amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: "the defendant is a national of the United States, as defined in section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101);".

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 104–132, §502(2)(B), struck out "at the time of the offense the nuclear material is in use, storage, or transport, for peaceful purposes, and" before "after the conduct" and struck out "or" at end.

Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 104–132, §502(2)(C), substituted "nuclear material or nuclear byproduct material" for "nuclear material for peaceful purposes" and "; or" for period at end.

Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 104–132, §502(2)(D), added par. (5).

Subsec. (f)(1)(A). Pub. L. 104–132, §502(3)(A)(i), struck out "with an isotopic concentration not in excess of 80 percent plutonium 238" after "plutonium".

Subsec. (f)(1)(C). Pub. L. 104–132, §502(3)(A)(ii), substituted "enriched uranium, defined as uranium" for "uranium".

Subsec. (f)(2) to (7). Pub. L. 104–132, §502(3)(B)–(F), added par. (2), redesignated former pars. (2) to (4) as (3) to (5), respectively, and added pars. (6) and (7).

1994—Subsec. (b)(1)(A), (2)(A). Pub. L. 103–322 substituted "fined under this title" for "fine of not more than $250,000".

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 103–272 substituted "section 46501 of title 49" for "section 101 of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (49 U.S.C. 1301)".

1988—Subsec. (e)(2) to (6). Pub. L. 100–690 redesignated pars. (3) to (6) as (2) to (5), respectively.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title of 1982 Amendment

Pub. L. 97–351, §1, Oct. 18, 1982, 96 Stat. 1663, provided that: "This Act [enacting this section and amending section 1116 of this title] may be cited as the 'Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material Implementation Act of 1982'."

Findings and Purpose of Title V of Pub. L. 104–132 Relating to Nuclear Materials

Pub. L. 104–132, title V, §501, Apr. 24, 1996, 110 Stat. 1281, provided that:

"(a) Findings.—The Congress finds that—

"(1) nuclear materials, including byproduct materials, can be used to create radioactive dispersal devices that are capable of causing serious bodily injury as well as substantial damage to property and to the environment;

"(2) the potential use of nuclear materials, including byproduct materials, enhances the threat posed by terrorist activities and thereby has a greater effect on the security interests of the United States;

"(3) due to the widespread hazards presented by the threat of nuclear contamination, as well as nuclear bombs, the United States has a strong interest in ensuring that persons who are engaged in the illegal acquisition and use of nuclear materials, including byproduct materials, are prosecuted for their offenses;

"(4) the threat that nuclear materials will be obtained and used by terrorist and other criminal organizations has increased substantially since the enactment in 1982 of the legislation that implemented the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, codified at section 831 of title 18, United States Code;

"(5) the successful efforts to obtain agreements from other countries to dismantle nuclear weapons have resulted in increased packaging and transportation of nuclear materials, thereby decreasing the security of such materials by increasing the opportunity for unlawful diversion and theft;

"(6) the trafficking in the relatively more common, commercially available, and usable nuclear and byproduct materials creates the potential for significant loss of life and environmental damage;

"(7) report trafficking incidents in the early 1990's suggest that the individuals involved in trafficking in these materials from Eurasia and Eastern Europe frequently conducted their black market sales of these materials within the Federal Republic of Germany, the Baltic States, the former Soviet Union, Central Europe, and to a lesser extent in the Middle European countries;

"(8) the international community has become increasingly concerned over the illegal possession of nuclear and nuclear byproduct materials;

"(9) the potentially disastrous ramifications of increased access to nuclear and nuclear byproduct materials pose such a significant threat that the United States must use all lawful methods available to combat the illegal use of such materials;

"(10) the United States has an interest in encouraging United States corporations to do business in the countries that comprised the former Soviet Union, and in other developing democracies;

"(11) protection of such United States corporations from threats created by the unlawful use of nuclear materials is important to the success of the effort to encourage business ventures in these countries, and to further the foreign relations and commerce of the United States;

"(12) the nature of nuclear contamination is such that it may affect the health, environment, and property of United States nationals even if the acts that constitute the illegal activity occur outside the territory of the United States, and are primarily directed toward foreign nationals; and

"(13) there is presently no Federal criminal statute that provides adequate protection to United States interests from nonweapons grade, yet hazardous radioactive material, and from the illegal diversion of nuclear materials that are held for other than peaceful purposes.

"(b) Purpose.—The purpose of this title [enacting section 2332c of this title, amending this section and sections 175, 177, 178, and 2332a of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 262 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, and section 1522 of Title 50, War and National Defense] is to provide Federal law enforcement agencies with the necessary means and the maximum authority permissible under the Constitution to combat the threat of nuclear contamination and proliferation that may result from the illegal possession and use of radioactive materials."
18 U.S.C. § 247 (2024) — Title 18: CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / Chapter 13 / Section 247: Damage to religious property; obstruction of persons in the free exercise of religious beliefs
Damage to religious property; obstruction of persons in the free exercise of religious beliefs
Status: in_force

(a) Whoever, in any of the circumstances referred to in subsection (b) of this section—

(1) intentionally defaces, damages, or destroys any religious real property, because of the religious character of that property, or attempts to do so; or

(2) intentionally obstructs, by force or threat of force, including by threat of force against religious real property, any person in the enjoyment of that person's free exercise of religious beliefs, or attempts to do so;

shall be punished as provided in subsection (d).

(b) The circumstances referred to in subsection (a) are that the offense is in or affects interstate or foreign commerce.

(c) Whoever intentionally defaces, damages, or destroys any religious real property because of the race, color, or ethnic characteristics of any individual associated with that religious property, or attempts to do so, shall be punished as provided in subsection (d).

(d) The punishment for a violation of subsection (a) or (c) of this section shall be—

(1) if death results from acts committed in violation of this section or if such acts include kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, a fine in accordance with this title and imprisonment for any term of years or for life, or both, or may be sentenced to death;

(2) if bodily injury results to any person, including any public safety officer performing duties as a direct or proximate result of conduct prohibited by this section, and the violation is by means of fire or an explosive, a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more that 40 years, or both;

(3) if bodily injury to any person, including any public safety officer performing duties as a direct or proximate result of conduct prohibited by this section, results from the acts committed in violation of this section or if such acts include the use, attempted use, or threatened use of a dangerous weapon, explosives, or fire, a fine in accordance with this title and imprisonment for not more than 20 years, or both;

(4) if damage to or destruction of property results from the acts committed in violation of this section, which damage to or destruction of such property is in an amount that exceeds $5,000, a fine in accordance with this title, imprisonment for not more than 3 years, or both; and

(5) in any other case, a fine in accordance with this title and imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.

(e) No prosecution of any offense described in this section shall be undertaken by the United States except upon the certification in writing of the Attorney General or his designee that in his judgment a prosecution by the United States is in the public interest and necessary to secure substantial justice.

(f) As used in this section, the term "religious real property" means any church, synagogue, mosque, religious cemetery, or other religious real property, including fixtures or religious objects contained within a place of religious worship, or real property owned or leased by a nonprofit, religiously affiliated organization.

(g) No person shall be prosecuted, tried, or punished for any noncapital offense under this section unless the indictment is found or the information is instituted not later than 7 years after the date on which the offense was committed.

(Added Pub. L. 100–346, §1, June 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 644; amended Pub. L. 103–322, title VI, §60006(d), title XXXII, §320103(d), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 1971, 2110; Pub. L. 104–155, §3, July 3, 1996, 110 Stat. 1392; Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, §§601(c)(3), 605(r), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3499, 3511; Pub. L. 107–273, div. B, title IV, §4002(c)(1), (e)(4), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1808, 1810; Pub. L. 115–249, §2, Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3162.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 115–249, §2(1), inserted "including by threat of force against religious real property," after "threat of force,".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 115–249, §2(2)(A), inserted "or (c)" after "subsection (a)" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (d)(4), (5). Pub. L. 115–249, §2(2)(B)–(D), added par. (4) and redesignated former par. (4) as (5).

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 115–249, §2(3), inserted ", or real property owned or leased by a nonprofit, religiously affiliated organization" before period at end.

2002—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 107–273, §4002(c)(1), repealed amendment by Pub. L. 104–294, §605(r). See 1996 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 107–273, §4002(e)(4), made technical correction to directory language of Pub. L. 104–294, §601(c)(3). See 1996 Amendment note below.

1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–155, §3(1), substituted "subsection (d)" for "subsection (c) of this section" in concluding provisions.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–155, §3(3), added subsec. (b) and struck out former subsec. (b) which read as follows: "The circumstances referred to in subsection (a) are that—

"(1) in committing the offense, the defendant travels in interstate or foreign commerce, or uses a facility or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce in interstate or foreign commerce; and

"(2) in the case of an offense under subsection (a)(1), the loss resulting from the defacement, damage, or destruction is more than $10,000."

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104–155, §3(2), added subsec. (c). Former subsec. (c) redesignated (d).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 104–294, §605(r), which directed the substitution of "certification" for "notification" in subsec. (d), was repealed by Pub. L. 107–273, §4002(c)(1).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 104–155, §3(2), redesignated subsec. (c) as (d). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (e).

Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 104–155, §3(4)(C), added par. (2). Former par. (2) redesignated (3).

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 104–155, §3(4)(A), (B), redesignated par. (2) as (3), inserted "to any person, including any public safety officer performing duties as a direct or proximate result of conduct prohibited by this section," after "bodily injury" and substituted "20 years" for "ten years". Former par. (3) redesignated (4).

Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 104–155, §3(4)(B), redesignated par. (3) as (4).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 104–294, §601(c)(3), as amended by Pub. L. 107–273, §4002(e)(4), substituted "certification" for "notification".

Pub. L. 104–155, §3(2), redesignated subsec. (d) as (e). Former subsec. (e) redesignated (f).

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 104–155, §3(2), (5), redesignated subsec. (e) as (f), inserted ", including fixtures or religious objects contained within a place of religious worship" before the period, and substituted "religious real property" for "religious property" in two places.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 104–155, §3(6), added subsec. (g).

1994—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 103–322, §320103(d)(1), inserted "from acts committed in violation of this section or if such acts include kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill" after "death results".

Pub. L. 103–322, §60006(d), inserted ", or may be sentenced to death" after "or both".

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 103–322, §320103(d)(2), struck out "serious" before "bodily" and inserted "from the acts committed in violation of this section or if such acts include the use, attempted use, or threatened use of a dangerous weapon, explosives, or fire" after "injury results".

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 103–322, §320103(d)(3), amended subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (e) read as follows: "As used in this section—

"(1) the term 'religious real property' means any church, synagogue, mosque, religious cemetery, or other religious real property; and

"(2) the term 'serious bodily injury' means bodily injury that involves a substantial risk of death, unconsciousness, extreme physical pain, protracted and obvious disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Pub. L. 107–273, div. B, title IV, §4002(c)(1), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1808, provided that the amendment made by section 4002(c)(1) is effective Oct. 11, 1996.

Pub. L. 107–273, div. B, title IV, §4002(e)(4), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1810, provided that the amendment made by section 4002(e)(4) is effective Oct. 11, 1996.

Congressional Findings

Pub. L. 104–155, §2, July 3, 1996, 110 Stat. 1392, provided that: "The Congress finds the following:

"(1) The incidence of arson or other destruction or vandalism of places of religious worship, and the incidence of violent interference with an individual's lawful exercise or attempted exercise of the right of religious freedom at a place of religious worship pose a serious national problem.

"(2) The incidence of arson of places of religious worship has recently increased, especially in the context of places of religious worship that serve predominantly African-American congregations.

"(3) Changes in Federal law are necessary to deal properly with this problem.

"(4) Although local jurisdictions have attempted to respond to the challenges posed by such acts of destruction or damage to religious property, the problem is sufficiently serious, widespread, and interstate in scope to warrant Federal intervention to assist State and local jurisdictions.

"(5) Congress has authority, pursuant to the Commerce Clause of the Constitution, to make acts of destruction or damage to religious property a violation of Federal law.

"(6) Congress has authority, pursuant to section 2 of the 13th amendment to the Constitution, to make actions of private citizens motivated by race, color, or ethnicity that interfere with the ability of citizens to hold or use religious property without fear of attack, violations of Federal criminal law."
18 U.S.C. § 1719 (2024) — Title 18: CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / Chapter 83 / Section 1719: Franking privilege
Franking privilege
Status: in_force

Whoever makes use of any official envelope, label, or indorsement authorized by law, to avoid the payment of postage or registry fee on his private letter, packet, package, or other matter in the mail, shall be fined under this title.

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645. 62 Stat. 783; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(F), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §357 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, §227, 35 Stat. 1134).

Minor verbal change was made. Section 746(f) of title 8, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Aliens and Nationality, providing same penalty for misuse of franking privilege in naturalization service, should be repealed as covered by this section. The proviso in section 337 of title 39, U.S.C., 1940 ed., The Postal Service, should also be repealed for the same reason.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $300".
18 U.S.C. § 1904 (2024) — Title 18: CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / Chapter 93 / Section 1904: Repealed. Pub. L. 103-322, title XXXIII, §330004(11), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2141
Repealed. Pub. L. 103-322, title XXXIII, §330004(11), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2141
Status: repealed

[§1904. Repealed. Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330004(11), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2141]

Section, acts June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 791; Sept. 13, 1994, Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(L), 108 Stat. 2147, related to disclosure of information or speculation in securities affecting Reconstruction Finance Corporation.
18 U.S.C. § 493 (2024) — Title 18: CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / Chapter 25 / Section 493: Bonds and obligations of certain lending agencies
Bonds and obligations of certain lending agencies
Status: in_force

Whoever falsely makes, forges, counterfeits or alters any note, bond, debenture, coupon, obligation, instrument, or writing in imitation or purporting to be in imitation of, a note, bond, debenture, coupon, obligation, instrument or writing, issued by the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, National Credit Union Administration, Home Owners' Loan Corporation, Farm Credit Administration, Department of Housing and Urban Development, or any land bank, intermediate credit bank, insured credit union, bank for cooperatives or any lending, mortgage, insurance, credit or savings and loan corporation or association authorized or acting under the laws of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.

Whoever passes, utters, or publishes, or attempts to pass, utter or publish any note, bond, debenture, coupon, obligation, instrument or document knowing the same to have been falsely made, forged, counterfeited or altered, contrary to the provisions of this section, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 711; Pub. L. 87–353, §3(p), Oct. 4, 1961, 75 Stat. 774; Pub. L. 90–19, §24(a), May 25, 1967, 81 Stat. 27; Pub. L. 91–468, §3, Oct. 19, 1970, 84 Stat. 1016; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(L), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147; Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §374(i), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 341.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on sections 264(t), 982, 1126, 1138d(b), 1316, 1441(b), 1467(b), 1731(b) of title 12, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Banks and Banking, and section 616(b) of title 15, U.S.C. 1940 ed., Commerce and Trade (Dec. 23, 1913, ch. 6, §12B(t), as added June 16, 1933, ch. 89, §8, 48 Stat. 178, and amended Aug. 23, 1935, ch. 614, §101, 49 Stat. 684; July 17, 1916, ch. 245, §31 (second paragraph), 39 Stat. 383; July 17, 1916, ch. 245, §211(f), as added Mar. 4, 1923, ch. 252, title I, §2, 42 Stat. 1460; Mar. 4, 1923, ch. 252, title II, §216(f), 42 Stat. 1472; Jan. 22, 1932, ch. 8, §16(b), 47 Stat. 11; July 22, 1932, ch. 522, §21(b), 47 Stat. 738; June 13, 1933, ch. 64, §8(b), 48 Stat. 134; June 16, 1933, ch. 98, §64(b), 48 Stat. 268; June 27, 1934, ch. 847, §512(b), 48 Stat. 1265).

Each of the nine sections from which this section was derived contained similar provisions with respect to one or more named agencies or corporations. The punishment was the same in each section except that in sections 982, 1126, and 1316 of title 12, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Banks and Banking, the maximum fine was $5,000. This section adopts the $10,000 maximum fine provided in the other six former sections.

This section condenses and simplifies the form of the former sections without change of substance, except where the maximum fine differs as noted above.

The enumeration of "note, bond, debenture, coupon, obligation, instrument, or writing" does not occur in any one of the original sections but is an adequate enumeration of the instruments mentioned in each.

Certain specific agencies are enumerated by name as are "land bank, intermediate credit bank, bank for cooperatives," but the phrase "or any lending, mortgage, insurance, credit, or savings and loan corporation or association" was used to embrace the following: National Farm Loan Association, Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation, Federal Savings and Loan Associations, National Agricultural Credit Corporation, Production Credit Corporations, Production Credit Associations, Home Loan Banks, National Mortgage Associations, and Central Bank for Cooperatives, Regional Agricultural Credit Corporation, or any instrumentalities created for similar purposes.

Reference to persons causing, procuring, aiding or assisting was omitted as unnecessary, such persons being principals by section 2 of this title.

The section was written in two paragraphs; the first denouncing forgery, counterfeiting, and altering; the second, passing, uttering, and publishing. This arrangement, together with the simplified style of the rewritten section, will permit the repeal of similar provisions in at least nine complicated sections now in title 12, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Banks and Banking.

Section 1138d(f) of title 12, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Banks and Banking, was omitted from this revision and recommended for repeal. It provides as follows: "Whoever conspires with another to accomplish any of the acts made unlawful by the preceding provisions of this section shall, on conviction thereof, be subject to the same fine or imprisonment, or both, as is applicable in the case of conviction for doing such unlawful act."

The only case construing such subsection (f) is United States v. Halbrook, D.C. Mo. 1941, 36 F. Supp. 345, in which the District Judge said by way of obiter dictum in a footnote that "Under this section no overt act need be shown as is true in the case of a prosecution under section 37 of the Criminal Code", now section 371 of this title.

Indeed the indictment upon which Halbrook was acquitted was drawn under section 88 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., now section 371 of this title, which required allegation and proof of an overt act and provided punishment by fine of not more than $10,000, or imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or both. The second indictment charged only substantive violations and involved neither conspiracy section.

It will be noted that section 1138d(f) of title 12, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Banks and Banking, applies in terms only to the Farm Credit Administration, intermediate credit banks, Federal Farm Mortgage Corporation, and by reference to the banks for cooperatives, Production Credit Associations and Production Credit Corporations, and is not applicable to land banks, loan associations, Federal Housing Administration, Home Owners' Loan Corporation, or other institutions.

It is also noted that in the only reported case involving this section, the United States attorney drew his conspiracy indictment not under section 1138d(f) of title 12, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Banks and Banking, but under section 88 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., which is now section 371 of this title, indicating considerable doubt as to the scope and effect of section 1138d(f) of said title 12, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Banks and Banking.

There is no sound reason for differentiating between types of credit, insurance, banking and lending agencies in the punishment of conspiracy or in the requirement as to proof of overt acts. Since conspiracies involving offenses equally serious such as obstruction of justice, bribery, embezzlements, counterfeiting and false statements and offenses against the Treasury of the United States as well as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Home Owners' Loan Corporation are punishable under the general conspiracy statute, the same rule should be applied to lesser agencies.

The blanket provision for punishment of "any person who willfully violates any other provision of this Act" was omitted as useless, in view of the specific provisions for penalties elsewhere in the Act.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2001—Pub. L. 107–56 substituted "10 years" for "five years" in two places.

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $10,000" in two places.

1970—Pub. L. 91–468 inserted National Credit Union Administration and insured credit unions in enumeration of lending agencies.

1967—Pub. L. 90–19 substituted "Department of Housing and Urban Development" for "Federal Housing Administration".

1961—Pub. L. 87–353 struck out reference to the Federal Farm Mortgage Corporation.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Abolition of Home Owners' Loan Corporation

For dissolution and abolition of Home Owners' Loan Corporation, referred to in this section, by act June 30, 1953, ch. 170, §21, 67 Stat. 126, see note set out under section 1463 of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

Executive Documents

Exceptions From Transfer of Functions

Functions of corporations of Department of Agriculture, boards of directors and officers of such corporations; Advisory Board of Commodity Credit Corporation; and Farm Credit Administration or any agency, officer or entity of, under, or subject to supervision of said Administration excepted from functions of officers, agencies, and employees transferred to Secretary of Agriculture by Reorg. Plan No. 2 of 1953, §1, eff. June 4, 1953, 18 F.R. 3219, 67 Stat. 633, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Abolition of Reconstruction Finance Corporation

Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1957, §6(a), eff. June 30, 1957, 22 F.R. 4633, 71 Stat. 647, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, abolished the Reconstruction Finance Corporation.

Farm Credit Administration

Establishment of Farm Credit Administration as independent agency, and other changes in status, function, etc., see Ex. Ord. No. 6084 set out prec. section 2241 of Title 12, Banks and Banking. See also section 2001 et seq. of Title 12.
18 U.S.C. § 1033 (2024) — Title 18: CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / Chapter 47 / Section 1033: Crimes by or affecting persons engaged in the business of insurance whose activities affect interstate commerce
Crimes by or affecting persons engaged in the business of insurance whose activities affect interstate commerce
Status: in_force

(a)(1) Whoever is engaged in the business of insurance whose activities affect interstate commerce and knowingly, with the intent to deceive, makes any false material statement or report or willfully and materially overvalues any land, property or security—

(A) in connection with any financial reports or documents presented to any insurance regulatory official or agency or an agent or examiner appointed by such official or agency to examine the affairs of such person, and

(B) for the purpose of influencing the actions of such official or agency or such an appointed agent or examiner,

shall be punished as provided in paragraph (2).

(2) The punishment for an offense under paragraph (1) is a fine as established under this title or imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or both, except that the term of imprisonment shall be not more than 15 years if the statement or report or overvaluing of land, property, or security jeopardized the safety and soundness of an insurer and was a significant cause of such insurer being placed in conservation, rehabilitation, or liquidation by an appropriate court.

(b)(1) Whoever—

(A) acting as, or being an officer, director, agent, or employee of, any person engaged in the business of insurance whose activities affect interstate commerce, or

(B) is engaged in the business of insurance whose activities affect interstate commerce or is involved (other than as an insured or beneficiary under a policy of insurance) in a transaction relating to the conduct of affairs of such a business,

willfully embezzles, abstracts, purloins, or misappropriates any of the moneys, funds, premiums, credits, or other property of such person so engaged shall be punished as provided in paragraph (2).

(2) The punishment for an offense under paragraph (1) is a fine as provided under this title or imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or both, except that if such embezzlement, abstraction, purloining, or misappropriation described in paragraph (1) jeopardized the safety and soundness of an insurer and was a significant cause of such insurer being placed in conservation, rehabilitation, or liquidation by an appropriate court, such imprisonment shall be not more than 15 years. If the amount or value so embezzled, abstracted, purloined, or misappropriated does not exceed $5,000, whoever violates paragraph (1) shall be fined as provided in this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

(c)(1) Whoever is engaged in the business of insurance and whose activities affect interstate commerce or is involved (other than as an insured or beneficiary under a policy of insurance) in a transaction relating to the conduct of affairs of such a business, knowingly makes any false entry of material fact in any book, report, or statement of such person engaged in the business of insurance with intent to deceive any person, including any officer, employee, or agent of such person engaged in the business of insurance, any insurance regulatory official or agency, or any agent or examiner appointed by such official or agency to examine the affairs of such person, about the financial condition or solvency of such business shall be punished as provided in paragraph (2).

(2) The punishment for an offense under paragraph (1) is a fine as provided under this title or imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or both, except that if the false entry in any book, report, or statement of such person jeopardized the safety and soundness of an insurer and was a significant cause of such insurer being placed in conservation, rehabilitation, or liquidation by an appropriate court, such imprisonment shall be not more than 15 years.

(d) Whoever, by threats or force or by any threatening letter or communication, corruptly influences, obstructs, or impedes or endeavors corruptly to influence, obstruct, or impede the due and proper administration of the law under which any proceeding involving the business of insurance whose activities affect interstate commerce is pending before any insurance regulatory official or agency or any agent or examiner appointed by such official or agency to examine the affairs of a person engaged in the business of insurance whose activities affect interstate commerce, shall be fined as provided in this title or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.

(e)(1)(A) Any individual who has been convicted of any criminal felony involving dishonesty or a breach of trust, or who has been convicted of an offense under this section, and who willfully engages in the business of insurance whose activities affect interstate commerce or participates in such business, shall be fined as provided in this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.

(B) Any individual who is engaged in the business of insurance whose activities affect interstate commerce and who willfully permits the participation described in subparagraph (A) shall be fined as provided in this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.

(2) A person described in paragraph (1)(A) may engage in the business of insurance or participate in such business if such person has the written consent of any insurance regulatory official authorized to regulate the insurer, which consent specifically refers to this subsection.

(f) As used in this section—

(1) the term "business of insurance" means—

(A) the writing of insurance, or

(B) the reinsuring of risks,

by an insurer, including all acts necessary or incidental to such writing or reinsuring and the activities of persons who act as, or are, officers, directors, agents, or employees of insurers or who are other persons authorized to act on behalf of such persons;

(2) the term "insurer" means any entity the business activity of which is the writing of insurance or the reinsuring of risks, and includes any person who acts as, or is, an officer, director, agent, or employee of that business;

(3) the term "interstate commerce" means—

(A) commerce within the District of Columbia, or any territory or possession of the United States;

(B) all commerce between any point in the State, territory, possession, or the District of Columbia and any point outside thereof;

(C) all commerce between points within the same State through any place outside such State; or

(D) all other commerce over which the United States has jurisdiction; and

(4) the term "State" includes any State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

(Added Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXII, §320603(a), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2115.)

Executive Documents

Termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.
18 U.S.C. § 1016 (2024) — Title 18: CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / Chapter 47 / Section 1016: Acknowledgment of appearance or oath
Acknowledgment of appearance or oath
Status: in_force

Whoever, being an officer authorized to administer oaths or to take and certify acknowledgments, knowingly makes any false acknowledgment, certificate, or statement concerning the appearance before him or the taking of an oath or affirmation by any person with respect to any proposal, contract, bond, undertaking, or other matter submitted to, made with, or taken on behalf of the United States or any department or agency thereof, concerning which an oath or affirmation is required by law or lawful regulation, or with respect to the financial standing of any principal, surety, or other party to any such proposal, contract, bond, undertaking, or other instrument, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 753; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(I), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §75 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, §31, 35 Stat. 1094).

Words "or of any department or agency thereof" were inserted after "United States" so as to remove any ambiguity as to scope of section. (See definitions of "department" and "agency" in section 6 of this title.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $2,000".
18 U.S.C. § 1005 (2024) — Title 18: CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / Chapter 47 / Section 1005: Bank entries, reports and transactions
Bank entries, reports and transactions
Status: in_force

Whoever, being an officer, director, agent or employee of any Federal Reserve bank, member bank, depository institution holding company, national bank, insured bank, branch or agency of a foreign bank, or organization operating under section 25 or section 25(a) 1 of the Federal Reserve Act, without authority from the directors of such bank, branch, agency, or organization or company, issues or puts in circulation any notes of such bank, branch, agency, or organization or company; or

Whoever, without such authority, makes, draws, issues, puts forth, or assigns any certificate of deposit, draft, order, bill of exchange, acceptance, note, debenture, bond, or other obligation, or mortgage, judgment or decree; or

Whoever makes any false entry in any book, report, or statement of such bank, company, branch, agency, or organization with intent to injure or defraud such bank, company, branch, agency, or organization, or any other company, body politic or corporate, or any individual person, or to deceive any officer of such bank, company, branch, agency, or organization, or the Comptroller of the Currency, or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or any agent or examiner appointed to examine the affairs of such bank, company, branch, agency, or organization, or the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; or

Whoever with intent to defraud the United States or any agency thereof, or any financial institution referred to in this section, participates or shares in or receives (directly or indirectly) any money, profit, property, or benefits through any transaction, loan, commission, contract, or any other act of any such financial institution—

Shall be fined not more than $1,000,000 or imprisoned not more than 30 years, or both.

As used in this section, the term "national bank" is synonymous with "national banking association"; "member bank" means and includes any national bank, state bank, or bank or trust company, which has become a member of one of the Federal Reserve banks; "insured bank" includes any state bank, banking association, trust company, savings bank, or other banking institution, the deposits of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; and the term "branch or agency of a foreign bank" means a branch or agency described in section 20(9) of this title. For purposes of this section, the term "depository institution holding company" has the meaning given such term in section 3(w)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 750; Pub. L. 101–73, title IX, §961(d), Aug. 9, 1989, 103 Stat. 499; Pub. L. 101–647, title XXV, §§2504(d), 2595(a)(3), 2597(h), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4861, 4907, 4910; Pub. L. 107–273, div. B, title IV, §4003(a)(2), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1811.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on sections 592, 597 of title 12, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Banks and Banking (R.S. §5209; Dec. 23, 1913, ch. 6, §22(i) as added June 19, 1934, ch. 653, §3, 48 Stat. 1107; Sept. 26, 1918, ch. 177, §7, 40 Stat. 972; Aug. 23, 1935, ch. 614, §316, 49 Stat. 712).

(See reviser's note under section 656 of this title for comprehensive statement of reasons for separating section 592 of title 12, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Banks and Banking, into three revised sections, and section 597 thereof into two revised sections, with the consequent extensive changes in phraseology, style, and arrangement.)

In this section, national bank receivers and Federal reserve agents were not included in the initial enumeration of persons at whom the act is directed, since the provisions of this section, unlike section 656 of this title, are not directed at such receivers and agents.

No changes of meaning or substance were made, except that, like said section 656 of this title, the different punishment provisions were reconciled, and one uniform punishment provision was adopted.

The words "shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor" were omitted as unnecessary in view of the definition of a misdemeanor in section 1 of this title.

The words "and upon conviction thereof" were omitted as unnecessary, since punishment cannot be imposed until a conviction is secured.

Since section 3231 of this title gives the district court jurisdiction of criminal prosecutions, the words "in any district court of the United States" were omitted as unnecessary.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 25 of the Federal Reserve Act, referred to in text, is classified to subchapter I (§601 et seq.) of chapter 6 of Title 12, Banks and Banking. Section 25(a) of the Federal Reserve Act, which is classified to subchapter II (§611 et seq.) of chapter 6 of Title 12, was renumbered section 25A of that act by Pub. L. 102–242, title I, §142(e)(2), Dec. 19, 1991, 105 Stat. 2281.

Section 3(w)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, referred to in text, is classified to section 1813(w)(1) of Title 12.

Amendments

2002—Pub. L. 107–273, in first par. substituted "Act," for "Act,," and in third par. inserted "or" at end.

1990—Pub. L. 101–647, §§2504(d), 2595(a)(3)(A), (B), 2597(h), in first par. substituted "depository institution" for "bank or savings and loan", "national bank, insured bank, branch or agency of a foreign bank, or organization operating under section 25 or section 25(a) of the Federal Reserve Act," for "national bank or insured bank", and "of such bank, branch, agency, or organization or company" for "of such bank" in two places, in third par. substituted "bank, company, branch, agency, or organization" for "bank or company" in four places, and in fifth par. substituted "30" for "20" before "years".

Pub. L. 101–647, §2597(h)(3)(A), in sixth par. struck out "and" after "one of the Federal Reserve Banks;".

Pub. L. 101–647, §2597(h)(3)(B), which, in sixth par., directed insertion of "; and the term 'branch or agency of a foreign bank' means a branch or agency described in section 20(9) of this title" before the period, was inserted before period at end of first sentence to reflect the probable intent of Congress and intervening amendment by Pub. L. 101–647, §2595(a)(3)(C). See below.

Pub. L. 101–647, §2595(a)(3)(C), inserted "For purposes of this section, the term 'depository institution holding company' has the meaning given such term in section 3(w)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act." at end of sixth par.

1989—Pub. L. 101–73 in first par. inserted "bank or savings and loan holding company," after "member bank,", in third par. inserted "or company" after "bank" wherever appearing and substituted a semicolon for the dash after "Federal Reserve System", added fourth par. reading: "Whoever with intent to defraud the United States or any agency thereof, or any financial institution referred to in this section, participates or shares in or receives (directly or indirectly) any money, profit, property, or benefits through any transaction, loan, commission, contract, or any other act of any such financial institution—", and, in fifth par. substituted "$1,000,000" for "$5,000" and "20 years" for "five years".

Executive Documents

Exception as to Transfer of Functions

Functions vested by any provision of law in Comptroller of the Currency, referred to in this section, were not included in transfer of functions of officers, agencies and employees of Department of the Treasury to Secretary of the Treasury, made by Reorg. Plan No. 26 of 1950, §1, eff. July 31, 1950, 15 F.R. 4935, 64 Stat. 1280, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

1 See References in Text note below.
18 U.S.C. § 3295 (2024) — Title 18: CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / Chapter 213 / Section 3295: Arson offenses
Arson offenses
Status: in_force

No person shall be prosecuted, tried, or punished for any non-capital offense under section 81 or subsection (f), (h), or (i) of section 844 unless the indictment is found or the information is instituted not later than 10 years after the date on which the offense was committed.

(Added Pub. L. 104–132, title VII, §708(c)(1), Apr. 24, 1996, 110 Stat. 1297.)
18 U.S.C. § 1961 (2024) — Title 18: CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / Chapter 96 / Section 1961: Definitions
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter—

(1) "racketeering activity" means (A) any act or threat involving murder, kidnapping, gambling, arson, robbery, bribery, extortion, dealing in obscene matter, or dealing in a controlled substance or listed chemical (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act), which is chargeable under State law and punishable by imprisonment for more than one year; (B) any act which is indictable under any of the following provisions of title 18, United States Code: Section 201 (relating to bribery), section 224 (relating to sports bribery), sections 471, 472, and 473 (relating to counterfeiting), section 659 (relating to theft from interstate shipment) if the act indictable under section 659 is felonious, section 664 (relating to embezzlement from pension and welfare funds), sections 891–894 (relating to extortionate credit transactions), section 932 (relating to straw purchasing), section 933 (relating to trafficking in firearms), section 1028 (relating to fraud and related activity in connection with identification documents), section 1029 (relating to fraud and related activity in connection with access devices), section 1084 (relating to the transmission of gambling information), section 1341 (relating to mail fraud), section 1343 (relating to wire fraud), section 1344 (relating to financial institution fraud), section 1351 (relating to fraud in foreign labor contracting), section 1425 (relating to the procurement of citizenship or nationalization unlawfully), section 1426 (relating to the reproduction of naturalization or citizenship papers), section 1427 (relating to the sale of naturalization or citizenship papers), sections 1461–1465 (relating to obscene matter), section 1503 (relating to obstruction of justice), section 1510 (relating to obstruction of criminal investigations), section 1511 (relating to the obstruction of State or local law enforcement), section 1512 (relating to tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant), section 1513 (relating to retaliating against a witness, victim, or an informant), section 1542 (relating to false statement in application and use of passport), section 1543 (relating to forgery or false use of passport), section 1544 (relating to misuse of passport), section 1546 (relating to fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents), sections 1581–1592 (relating to peonage, slavery, and trafficking in persons).,1 sections 1831 and 1832 (relating to economic espionage and theft of trade secrets), section 1951 (relating to interference with commerce, robbery, or extortion), section 1952 (relating to racketeering), section 1953 (relating to interstate transportation of wagering paraphernalia), section 1954 (relating to unlawful welfare fund payments), section 1955 (relating to the prohibition of illegal gambling businesses), section 1956 (relating to the laundering of monetary instruments), section 1957 (relating to engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity), section 1958 (relating to use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire), section 1960 (relating to illegal money transmitters), sections 2251, 2251A, 2252, and 2260 (relating to sexual exploitation of children), sections 2312 and 2313 (relating to interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicles), sections 2314 and 2315 (relating to interstate transportation of stolen property), section 2318 (relating to trafficking in counterfeit labels for phonorecords, computer programs or computer program documentation or packaging and copies of motion pictures or other audiovisual works), section 2319 (relating to criminal infringement of a copyright), section 2319A (relating to unauthorized fixation of and trafficking in sound recordings and music videos of live musical performances), section 2320 (relating to trafficking in goods or services bearing counterfeit marks), section 2321 (relating to trafficking in certain motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts), sections 2341–2346 (relating to trafficking in contraband cigarettes), sections 2421–24 (relating to white slave traffic),2 sections 175–178 (relating to biological weapons), sections 229–229F (relating to chemical weapons), section 831 (relating to nuclear materials), (C) any act which is indictable under title 29, United States Code, section 186 (dealing with restrictions on payments and loans to labor organizations) or section 501(c) (relating to embezzlement from union funds), (D) any offense involving fraud connected with a case under title 11 (except a case under section 157 of this title), fraud in the sale of securities, or the felonious manufacture, importation, receiving, concealment, buying, selling, or otherwise dealing in a controlled substance or listed chemical (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act), punishable under any law of the United States, (E) any act which is indictable under the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act, (F) any act which is indictable under the Immigration and Nationality Act, section 274 (relating to bringing in and harboring certain aliens), section 277 (relating to aiding or assisting certain aliens to enter the United States), or section 278 (relating to importation of alien for immoral purpose) if the act indictable under such section of such Act was committed for the purpose of financial gain, or (G) any act that is indictable under any provision listed in section 2332b(g)(5)(B);

(2) "State" means any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or possession of the United States, any political subdivision, or any department, agency, or instrumentality thereof;

(3) "person" includes any individual or entity capable of holding a legal or beneficial interest in property;

(4) "enterprise" includes any individual, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity, and any union or group of individuals associated in fact although not a legal entity;

(5) "pattern of racketeering activity" requires at least two acts of racketeering activity, one of which occurred after the effective date of this chapter and the last of which occurred within ten years (excluding any period of imprisonment) after the commission of a prior act of racketeering activity;

(6) "unlawful debt" means a debt (A) incurred or contracted in gambling activity which was in violation of the law of the United States, a State or political subdivision thereof, or which is unenforceable under State or Federal law in whole or in part as to principal or interest because of the laws relating to usury, and (B) which was incurred in connection with the business of gambling in violation of the law of the United States, a State or political subdivision thereof, or the business of lending money or a thing of value at a rate usurious under State or Federal law, where the usurious rate is at least twice the enforceable rate;

(7) "racketeering investigator" means any attorney or investigator so designated by the Attorney General and charged with the duty of enforcing or carrying into effect this chapter;

(8) "racketeering investigation" means any inquiry conducted by any racketeering investigator for the purpose of ascertaining whether any person has been involved in any violation of this chapter or of any final order, judgment, or decree of any court of the United States, duly entered in any case or proceeding arising under this chapter;

(9) "documentary material" includes any book, paper, document, record, recording, or other material; and

(10) "Attorney General" includes the Attorney General of the United States, the Deputy Attorney General of the United States, the Associate Attorney General of the United States, any Assistant Attorney General of the United States, or any employee of the Department of Justice or any employee of any department or agency of the United States so designated by the Attorney General to carry out the powers conferred on the Attorney General by this chapter. Any department or agency so designated may use in investigations authorized by this chapter either the investigative provisions of this chapter or the investigative power of such department or agency otherwise conferred by law.

(Added Pub. L. 91–452, title IX, §901(a), Oct. 15, 1970, 84 Stat. 941; amended Pub. L. 95–575, §3(c), Nov. 2, 1978, 92 Stat. 2465; Pub. L. 95–598, title III, §314(g), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2677; Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §§901(g), 1020, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2136, 2143; Pub. L. 98–547, title II, §205, Oct. 25, 1984, 98 Stat. 2770; Pub. L. 99–570, title I, §1365(b), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–35; Pub. L. 99–646, §50(a), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3605; Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, §§7013, 7020(c), 7032, 7054, 7514, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4395, 4396, 4398, 4402, 4489; Pub. L. 101–73, title IX, §968, Aug. 9, 1989, 103 Stat. 506; Pub. L. 101–647, title XXXV, §3560, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4927; Pub. L. 103–322, title IX, §90104, title XVI, §160001(f), title XXXIII, §330021(1), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 1987, 2037, 2150; Pub. L. 103–394, title III, §312(b), Oct. 22, 1994, 108 Stat. 4140; Pub. L. 104–132, title IV, §433, Apr. 24, 1996, 110 Stat. 1274; Pub. L. 104–153, §3, July 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 1386; Pub. L. 104–208, div. C, title II, §202, Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–565; Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, §§601(b)(3), (i)(3), 604(b)(6), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3499, 3501, 3506; Pub. L. 107–56, title VIII, §813, Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 382; Pub. L. 107–273, div. B, title IV, §4005(f)(1), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1813; Pub. L. 108–193, §5(b), Dec. 19, 2003, 117 Stat. 2879; Pub. L. 108–458, title VI, §6802(e), Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3767; Pub. L. 109–164, title I, §103(c), Jan. 10, 2006, 119 Stat. 3563; Pub. L. 109–177, title IV, §403(a), Mar. 9, 2006, 120 Stat. 243; Pub. L. 113–4, title XII, §1211(a), Mar. 7, 2013, 127 Stat. 142; Pub. L. 114–153, §3(b), May 11, 2016, 130 Stat. 382; Pub. L. 117–159, div. A, title II, §12004(a)(3), June 25, 2022, 136 Stat. 1328.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act, referred to in par. (1)(A), (D), is classified to section 802 of Title 21, Food and Drugs.

Sections 2421–24, referred to in par. (1)(B), probably means sections 2421 to 2424 of this title, which are contained in chapter 117 of this title, the heading of which was amended by Pub. L. 99–628, §5(a)(1), Nov. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 3511, by substituting "Transportation for Illegal Sexual Activity and Related Crimes" for "White Slave Traffic".

The Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act, referred to in par. (1)(E), is title II of Pub. L. 91–508, Oct. 26, 1970, 84 Stat. 1118, which was repealed and reenacted as subchapter II of chapter 53 of Title 31, Money and Finance, by Pub. L. 97–258, §4(b), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1067, the first section of which enacted Title 31.

The Immigration and Nationality Act, referred to in par. (1)(F), is act June 27, 1952, ch. 477, 66 Stat. 163, as amended, which is classified principally to chapter 12 (§1101 et seq.) of Title 8, Aliens and Nationality. Sections 274, 277, and 278 of the Act are classified to sections 1324, 1327, and 1328 of Title 8, respectively. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1101 of Title 8 and Tables.

The effective date of this chapter, referred to in par. (5), is Oct. 15, 1970.

Amendments

2022—Par. (1)(B). Pub. L. 117–159 inserted "section 932 (relating to straw purchasing), section 933 (relating to trafficking in firearms)," before "section 1028".

2016—Par. (1). Pub. L. 114–153 inserted "sections 1831 and 1832 (relating to economic espionage and theft of trade secrets)," before "section 1951".

2013—Par. (1)(B). Pub. L. 113–4 inserted "section 1351 (relating to fraud in foreign labor contracting)," before "section 1425".

2006—Par. (1)(B). Pub. L. 109–177 inserted "section 1960 (relating to illegal money transmitters)," before "sections 2251".

Pub. L. 109–164 substituted "1581–1592" for "1581–1591".

2004—Par. (1)(B). Pub. L. 108–458 inserted "sections 175–178 (relating to biological weapons), sections 229–229F (relating to chemical weapons), section 831 (relating to nuclear materials)," before "(C) any act which is indictable under title 29".

2003—Par. (1)(B). Pub. L. 108–193, which directed amendment of par. (1)(A) of this section by substituting "sections 1581–1591 (relating to peonage, slavery, and trafficking in persons)." for "sections 1581–1588 (relating to peonage and slavery)", was executed by making the substitution in par. (1)(B) to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

2002—Par. (1)(G). Pub. L. 107–273 made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 107–56. See 2001 Amendment note below.

2001—Par. (1)(G). Pub. L. 107–56, as amended by Pub. L. 107–273, which directed addition of cl. (G) before period at end, was executed by making the addition before the semicolon at end to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

1996—Par. (1)(B). Pub. L. 104–294, §604(b)(6), amended directory language of Pub. L. 103–322, §160001(f). See 1994 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 104–294, §601(i)(3), substituted "2260" for "2258".

Pub. L. 104–208 struck out "if the act indictable under section 1028 was committed for the purpose of financial gain" before ", section 1029", inserted "section 1425 (relating to the procurement of citizenship or nationalization unlawfully), section 1426 (relating to the reproduction of naturalization or citizenship papers), section 1427 (relating to the sale of naturalization or citizenship papers)," after "section 1344 (relating to financial institution fraud),", struck out "if the act indictable under section 1542 was committed for the purpose of financial gain" before ", section 1543", "if the act indictable under section 1543 was committed for the purpose of financial gain" before ", section 1544", "if the act indictable under section 1544 was committed for the purpose of financial gain" before ", section 1546", and "if the act indictable under section 1546 was committed for the purpose of financial gain" before ", sections 1581–1588".

Pub. L. 104–153 inserted ", section 2318 (relating to trafficking in counterfeit labels for phonorecords, computer programs or computer program documentation or packaging and copies of motion pictures or other audiovisual works), section 2319 (relating to criminal infringement of a copyright), section 2319A (relating to unauthorized fixation of and trafficking in sound recordings and music videos of live musical performances), section 2320 (relating to trafficking in goods or services bearing counterfeit marks)" after "sections 2314 and 2315 (relating to interstate transportation of stolen property)".

Pub. L. 104–132, §433(1), (2), inserted "section 1028 (relating to fraud and related activity in connection with identification documents) if the act indictable under section 1028 was committed for the purpose of financial gain," before "section 1029" and "section 1542 (relating to false statement in application and use of passport) if the act indictable under section 1542 was committed for the purpose of financial gain, section 1543 (relating to forgery or false use of passport) if the act indictable under section 1543 was committed for the purpose of financial gain, section 1544 (relating to misuse of passport) if the act indictable under section 1544 was committed for the purpose of financial gain, section 1546 (relating to fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents) if the act indictable under section 1546 was committed for the purpose of financial gain, sections 1581–1588 (relating to peonage and slavery)," after "section 1513 (relating to retaliating against a witness, victim, or an informant),".

Par. (1)(D). Pub. L. 104–294, §601(b)(3), substituted "section 157 of this title" for "section 157 of that title".

Par. (1)(F). Pub. L. 104–132, §433(3), (4), which directed addition of cl. (F) before period at end, was executed by making the addition before the semicolon at end to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

1994—Par. (1)(A). Pub. L. 103–322, §330021(1), substituted "kidnapping" for "kidnaping".

Pub. L. 103–322, §90104, substituted "a controlled substance or listed chemical (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act)" for "narcotic or other dangerous drugs".

Par. (1)(B). Pub. L. 103–322, §160001(f), as amended by Pub. L. 104–294, §604(b)(6), substituted "2251, 2251A, 2252, and 2258" for "2251–2252".

Par. (1)(D). Pub. L. 103–394 inserted "(except a case under section 157 of that title)" after "title 11".

Pub. L. 103–322, §90104, substituted "a controlled substance or listed chemical (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act)" for "narcotic or other dangerous drugs".

1990—Par. (1)(B). Pub. L. 101–647 substituted "section 1029 (relating to" for "section 1029 (relative to" and struck out "sections 2251 through 2252 (relating to sexual exploitation of children)," before ", section 1958".

1989—Par. (1). Pub. L. 101–73 inserted "section 1344 (relating to financial institution fraud)," after "section 1343 (relating to wire fraud),".

1988—Par. (1)(B). Pub. L. 100–690, §7514, inserted "sections 2251 through 2252 (relating to sexual exploitation of children),".

Pub. L. 100–690, §7054, inserted ", section 1029 (relative to fraud and related activity in connection with access devices)" and ", section 1958 (relating to use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire), sections 2251–2252 (relating to sexual exploitation of children)".

Pub. L. 100–690, §7032, substituted "section 2321" for "section 2320".

Pub. L. 100–690, §7013, made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 99–646. See 1986 Amendment note below.

Par. (10). Pub. L. 100–690, §7020(c), inserted "the Associate Attorney General of the United States," after "Deputy Attorney General of the United States,".

1986—Par. (1)(B). Pub. L. 99–646, as amended by Pub. L. 100–690, §7013, inserted "section 1512 (relating to tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant), section 1513 (relating to retaliating against a witness, victim, or an informant)," after "section 1511 (relating to the obstruction of State or local law enforcement),".

Pub. L. 99–570 inserted "section 1956 (relating to the laundering of monetary instruments), section 1957 (relating to engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity),".

1984—Par. (1)(A). Pub. L. 98–473, §1020(1), inserted "dealing in obscene matter," after "extortion,".

Par. (1)(B). Pub. L. 98–547 inserted "sections 2312 and 2313 (relating to interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicles)," and "section 2320 (relating to trafficking in certain motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts),".

Pub. L. 98–473, §1020(2), inserted "sections 1461–1465 (relating to obscene matter),".

Par. (1)(E). Pub. L. 98–473, §901(g), added cl. (E).

1978—Par. (1)(B). Pub. L. 95–575 inserted "sections 2341–2346 (relating to trafficking in contraband cigarettes),".

Par. (1)(D). Pub. L. 95–598 substituted "fraud connected with a case under title 11" for "bankruptcy fraud".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Pub. L. 107–273, div. B, title IV, §4005(f)(1), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1813, provided that the amendment made by section 4005(f)(1) is effective Oct. 26, 2001.

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Amendment by section 604(b)(6) of Pub. L. 104–294 effective Sept. 13, 1994, see section 604(d) of Pub. L. 104–294, set out as a note under section 13 of this title.

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–394 effective Oct. 22, 1994, and not applicable with respect to cases commenced under Title 11, Bankruptcy, before Oct. 22, 1994, see section 702 of Pub. L. 103–394, set out as a note under section 101 of Title 11.

Effective Date of 1978 Amendments

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–598 effective Oct. 1, 1979, see section 402(a) of Pub. L. 95–598, set out as an Effective Date note preceding section 101 of Title 11, Bankruptcy.

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–575 effective Nov. 2, 1978, see section 4 of Pub. L. 95–575, set out as an Effective Date note under section 2341 of this title.

Short Title of 1984 Amendment

Pub. L. 98–473, title II, ch. III (§§301–322), §301, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2040, provided that: "This title [probably means this chapter, enacting sections 1589, 1600, 1613a, and 1616 of Title 19, Customs Duties and sections 853, 854, and 970 of Title 21, Food and Drugs, amending section 1963 of this title and sections 1602, 1605, 1606, 1607, 1608, 1609, 1610, 1611, 1612, 1613, 1614, 1615, 1618, 1619, and 1644 of Title 19, sections 824, 848, and 881 of Title 21, and section 524 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, and repealing section 7607 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code] may be cited as the 'Comprehensive Forfeiture Act of 1984'."

Short Title of 1970 Amendment

Pub. L. 91–452, §1, Oct. 15, 1970, 84 Stat. 922, provided in part: "That this Act [enacting this section, sections 841 to 848, 1511, 1623, 1955, 1962 to 1968, 3331 to 3334, 3503, 3504, 3575 to 3578, and 6001 to 6005 of this title, and section 1826 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, amending sections 835, 1073, 1505, 1954, 2424, 2516, 2517, 3148, 3486, and 3500 of this title, sections 15, 87f, 135c, 499m, and 2115 of Title 7, Agriculture, section 25 of Title 11, Bankruptcy, section 1820 of Title 12, Banks and Banking, sections 49, 77v, 78u, 79r, 80a–41, 80b–9, 155, 717m, 1271, and 1714 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, section 825f of Title 16, Conservation, section 1333 of Title 19, Customs Duties, section 373 of Title 21, Food and Drugs, section 161 of Title 29, Labor, section 506 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters, sections 405 and 2201 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, sections 157 and 362 of Title 45, Railroads, section 1124 of former Title 46, Shipping, section 409 of Title 47, Telecommunications, sections 9, 43, 46, 916, 1017, and 1484 of former Title 49, Transportation, sections 792 and 4555 of Title 50, War and National Defense, and former sections 643a, 1152, and 2026 of the former Appendix to Title 50, repealing sections 837, 895, 1406, and 2514 of this title, sections 32 and 33 of Title 15, sections 4874 and 7493 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code, section 827 of former Title 46, sections 47 and 48 of former Title 49, and sections 121 to 144 of Title 50, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 841, 1511, 1955, preceding 3331, preceding 3481, 3504, and 6001 of this title, and repealing provisions set out as a note under section 2510 of this title] may be cited as the 'Organized Crime Control Act of 1970'."

Pub. L. 91–452, title IX, §901(a), Oct. 15, 1970, 84 Stat. 941, is popularly known as the "Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act". See also Short Title note below.

Short Title

This chapter is popularly known as the "Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act".

Savings Provision

Amendment by section 314 of Pub. L. 95–598 not to affect the application of chapter 9 (§151 et seq.), chapter 96 (§1961 et seq.), or section 2516, 3057, or 3284 of this title to any act of any person (1) committed before Oct. 1, 1979, or (2) committed after Oct. 1, 1979, in connection with a case commenced before such date, see section 403(d) of Pub. L. 95–598, set out as a note preceding section 101 of Title 11, Bankruptcy.

Separability

Pub. L. 91–452, title XIII, §1301, Oct. 15, 1970, 84 Stat. 962, provided that: "If the provisions of any part of this Act [see Short Title of 1970 Amendment note set out above] or the application thereof to any person or circumstances be held invalid, the provisions of the other parts and their application to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby."

Rule of Construction

Nothing in amendment made by Pub. L. 117–159 to be construed to allow the establishment of a Federal system of registration of firearms, firearms owners, or firearms transactions or dispositions, see section 12004(k) of Pub. L. 117–159, set out as a note under section 922 of this title.

Congressional Statement of Findings and Purpose

Pub. L. 91–452, §1, Oct. 15, 1970, 84 Stat. 922, provided in part that:

"The Congress finds that (1) organized crime in the United States is a highly sophisticated, diversified, and widespread activity that annually drains billions of dollars from America's economy by unlawful conduct and the illegal use of force, fraud, and corruption; (2) organized crime derives a major portion of its power through money obtained from such illegal endeavors as syndicated gambling, loan sharking, the theft and fencing of property, the importation and distribution of narcotics and other dangerous drugs, and other forms of social exploitation; (3) this money and power are increasingly used to infiltrate and corrupt legitimate business and labor unions and to subvert and corrupt our democratic processes; (4) organized crime activities in the United States weaken the stability of the Nation's economic system, harm innocent investors and competing organizations, interfere with free competition, seriously burden interstate and foreign commerce, threaten the domestic security, and undermine the general welfare of the Nation and its citizens; and (5) organized crime continues to grow because of defects in the evidence-gathering process of the law inhibiting the development of the legally admissible evidence necessary to bring criminal and other sanctions or remedies to bear on the unlawful activities of those engaged in organized crime and because the sanctions and remedies available to the Government are unnecessarily limited in scope and impact.

"It is the purpose of this Act [see Short Title of 1970 Amendment note above] to seek the eradication of organized crime in the United States by strengthening the legal tools in the evidence-gathering process, by establishing new penal prohibitions, and by providing enhanced sanctions and new remedies to deal with the unlawful activities of those engaged in organized crime."

Liberal Construction of Provisions; Supersedure of Federal or State Laws; Authority of Attorneys Representing United States

Pub. L. 91–452, title IX, §904, Oct. 15, 1970, 84 Stat. 947, provided that:

"(a) The provisions of this title [enacting this chapter and amending sections 1505, 2516, and 2517 of this title] shall be liberally construed to effectuate its remedial purposes.

"(b) Nothing in this title shall supersede any provision of Federal, State, or other law imposing criminal penalties or affording civil remedies in addition to those provided for in this title.

"(c) Nothing contained in this title shall impair the authority of any attorney representing the United States to—

"(1) lay before any grand jury impaneled by any district court of the United States any evidence concerning any alleged racketeering violation of law;

"(2) invoke the power of any such court to compel the production of any evidence before any such grand jury; or

"(3) institute any proceeding to enforce any order or process issued in execution of such power or to punish disobedience of any such order or process by any person."

President's Commission on Organized Crime; Taking of Testimony and Receipt of Evidence

Pub. L. 98–368, July 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 490, provided for the Commission established by Ex. Ord. No. 12435, formerly set out below, authority relating to taking of testimony, receipt of evidence, subpoena power, testimony of persons in custody, immunity, service of process, witness fees, access to other records and information, Federal protection for members and staff, closure of meetings, rules, and procedures, for the period of July 17, 1984, until the earlier of 2 years or the expiration of the Commission.

Executive Documents

Executive Order No. 12435

Ex. Ord. No. 12435, July 28, 1983, 48 F.R. 34723, as amended Ex. Ord. No. 12507, Mar. 22, 1985, 50 F.R. 11835, which established and provided for the administration of the President's Commission on Organized Crime, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 12610, Sept. 30, 1987, 52 F.R. 36901, formerly set out as a note under section 1013 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

1 So in original.

2 See References in Text note below.
18 U.S.C. § 2334 (2024) — Title 18: CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / Chapter 113B / Section 2334: Jurisdiction and venue
Jurisdiction and venue
Status: in_force

(a) General Venue.—Any civil action under section 2333 of this title against any person may be instituted in the district court of the United States for any district where any plaintiff resides or where any defendant resides or is served, or has an agent. Process in such a civil action may be served in any district where the defendant resides, is found, or has an agent.

(b) Special Maritime or Territorial Jurisdiction.—If the actions giving rise to the claim occurred within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, as defined in section 7 of this title, then any civil action under section 2333 of this title against any person may be instituted in the district court of the United States for any district in which any plaintiff resides or the defendant resides, is served, or has an agent.

(c) Service on Witnesses.—A witness in a civil action brought under section 2333 of this title may be served in any other district where the defendant resides, is found, or has an agent.

(d) Convenience of the Forum.—The district court shall not dismiss any action brought under section 2333 of this title on the grounds of the inconvenience or inappropriateness of the forum chosen, unless—

(1) the action may be maintained in a foreign court that has jurisdiction over the subject matter and over all the defendants;

(2) that foreign court is significantly more convenient and appropriate; and

(3) that foreign court offers a remedy which is substantially the same as the one available in the courts of the United States.

(e) Consent of Certain Parties to Personal Jurisdiction.—

(1) In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), for purposes of any civil action under section 2333 of this title, a defendant shall be deemed to have consented to personal jurisdiction in such civil action if, regardless of the date of the occurrence of the act of international terrorism upon which such civil action was filed, the defendant—

(A) after the date that is 120 days after the date of the enactment of the Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act of 2019, makes any payment, directly or indirectly—

(i) to any payee designated by any individual who, after being fairly tried or pleading guilty, has been imprisoned for committing any act of terrorism that injured or killed a national of the United States, if such payment is made by reason of such imprisonment; or

(ii) to any family member of any individual, following such individual's death while committing an act of terrorism that injured or killed a national of the United States, if such payment is made by reason of the death of such individual; or

(B) after 15 days after the date of enactment of the Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act of 2019—

(i) continues to maintain any office, headquarters, premises, or other facilities or establishments in the United States;

(ii) establishes or procures any office, headquarters, premises, or other facilities or establishments in the United States; or

(iii) conducts any activity while physically present in the United States on behalf of the Palestine Liberation Organization or the Palestinian Authority.

(2) Applicability.—Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any defendant who ceases to engage in the conduct described in paragraphs (1)(A) and (1)(B) for 5 consecutive calendar years. Except with respect to payments described in paragraph (1)(A), no court may consider the receipt of any assistance by a nongovernmental organization, whether direct or indirect, as a basis for consent to jurisdiction by a defendant.

(3) Exception for certain activities and locations.—In determining whether a defendant shall be deemed to have consented to personal jurisdiction under paragraph (1)(B), no court may consider—

(A) any office, headquarters, premises, or other facility or establishment used exclusively for the purpose of conducting official business of the United Nations;

(B) any activity undertaken exclusively for the purpose of conducting official business of the United Nations;

(C) any activity involving officials of the United States that the Secretary of State determines is in the national interest of the United States if the Secretary reports to the appropriate congressional committees annually on the use of the authority under this subparagraph;

(D) any activity undertaken exclusively for the purpose of meetings with officials of the United States or other foreign governments, or participation in training and related activities funded or arranged by the United States Government;

(E) any activity related to legal representation—

(i) for matters related to activities described in this paragraph;

(ii) for the purpose of adjudicating or resolving claims filed in courts of the United States; or

(iii) to comply with this subsection; or

(F) any personal or official activities conducted ancillary to activities listed under this paragraph.

(4) Rule of construction.—Notwithstanding any other law (including any treaty), any office, headquarters, premises, or other facility or establishment within the territory of the United States that is not specifically exempted by paragraph (3)(A) shall be considered to be in the United States for purposes of paragraph (1)(B).

(5) Defined term.—In this subsection, the term "defendant" means—

(A) the Palestinian Authority;

(B) the Palestine Liberation Organization;

(C) any organization or other entity that is a successor to or affiliated with the Palestinian Authority or the Palestine Liberation Organization; or

(D) any organization or other entity that—

(i) is identified in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C); and

(ii) self identifies as, holds itself out to be, or carries out conduct in the name of, the "State of Palestine" or "Palestine" in connection with official business of the United Nations.

(Added Pub. L. 102–572, title X, §1003(a)(4), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4522; amended Pub. L. 115–253, §4(a), Oct. 3, 2018, 132 Stat. 3184; Pub. L. 116–94, div. J, title IX, §903(c)(1), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 3083.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The date of the enactment of the Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act of 2019, referred to in subsec. (e)(1)(A), (B), is the date of enactment of section 903 of div. J of Pub. L. 116–94, which was approved Dec. 20, 2019.

Amendments

2019—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 116–94, §903(c)(1)(A), added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Except as provided in paragraph (2), for purposes of any civil action under section 2333 of this title, a defendant shall be deemed to have consented to personal jurisdiction in such civil action if, regardless of the date of the occurrence of the act of international terrorism upon which such civil action was filed, the defendant—

"(A) after the date that is 120 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, accepts—

"(i) any form of assistance, however provided, under chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2346 et seq.);

"(ii) any form of assistance, however provided, under section 481 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2291) for international narcotics control and law enforcement; or

"(iii) any form of assistance, however provided, under chapter 9 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2349bb et seq.); or

"(B) in the case of a defendant benefiting from a waiver or suspension of section 1003 of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1987 (22 U.S.C. 5202) after the date that is 120 days after the date of enactment of this subsection—

"(i) continues to maintain any office, headquarters, premises, or other facilities or establishments within the jurisdiction of the United States; or

"(ii) establishes or procures any office, headquarters, premises, or other facilities or establishments within the jurisdiction of the United States."

Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 116–94, §903(c)(1)(B), inserted at end "Except with respect to payments described in paragraph (1)(A), no court may consider the receipt of any assistance by a nongovernmental organization, whether direct or indirect, as a basis for consent to jurisdiction by a defendant."

Subsec. (e)(3) to (5). Pub. L. 116–94, §903(c)(1)(C), added pars. (3) to (5).

2018—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 115–253 added subsec. (e).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2019 Amendment; Abrogation; Construction; Severability

Amendment by Pub. L. 116–94 applicable to any case pending on or after Aug. 30, 2016, with additional rules of construction and abrogation and severability provisions, see section 903(c)(2) and (d) of Pub. L. 116–94, set out in a note under section 2333 of this title.

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Pub. L. 115–253, §4(b), Oct. 3, 2018, 132 Stat. 3185, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 3, 2018]."

Effective Date

Section applicable to any pending case or any cause of action arising on or after 4 years before Oct. 29, 1992, see section 1003(c) of Pub. L. 102–572, set out as a note under section 2331 of this title.
18 U.S.C. § 1307 (2024) — Title 18: CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / Chapter 61 / Section 1307: Exceptions relating to certain advertisements and other information and to State-conducted lotteries
Exceptions relating to certain advertisements and other information and to State-conducted lotteries
Status: in_force

(a) The provisions of sections 1301, 1302, 1303, and 1304 shall not apply to—

(1) an advertisement, list of prizes, or other information concerning a lottery conducted by a State acting under the authority of State law which is—

(A) contained in a publication published in that State or in a State which conducts such a lottery; or

(B) broadcast by a radio or television station licensed to a location in that State or a State which conducts such a lottery; or

(2) an advertisement, list of prizes, or other information concerning a lottery, gift enterprise, or similar scheme, other than one described in paragraph (1), that is authorized or not otherwise prohibited by the State in which it is conducted and which is—

(A) conducted by a not-for-profit organization or a governmental organization; or

(B) conducted as a promotional activity by a commercial organization and is clearly occasional and ancillary to the primary business of that organization.

(b) The provisions of sections 1301, 1302, and 1303 shall not apply to the transportation or mailing—

(1) to addresses within a State of equipment, tickets, or material concerning a lottery which is conducted by that State acting under the authority of State law; or

(2) to an addressee within a foreign country of equipment, tickets, or material designed to be used within that foreign country in a lottery which is authorized by the law of that foreign country.

(c) For the purposes of this section (1) "State" means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the United States; and (2) "foreign country" means any empire, country, dominion, colony, or protectorate, or any subdivision thereof (other than the United States, its territories or possessions).

(d) For the purposes of subsection (b) of this section "lottery" means the pooling of proceeds derived from the sale of tickets or chances and allotting those proceeds or parts thereof by chance to one or more chance takers or ticket purchasers. "Lottery" does not include the placing or accepting of bets or wagers on sporting events or contests. For purposes of this section, the term a "not-for-profit organization" means any organization that would qualify as tax exempt under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(Added Pub. L. 93–583, §1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1916; amended Pub. L. 94–525, §1, Oct. 17, 1976, 90 Stat. 2478; Pub. L. 96–90, §1, Oct. 23, 1979, 93 Stat. 698; Pub. L. 100–625, §§2(a), (b), 3(a)(1), (3), Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3205, 3206.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (d), is classified to section 501 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

Amendments

1988—Pub. L. 100–625, §3(a)(1), substituted "Exceptions relating to certain advertisements and other information and to State-conducted lotteries" for "State-conducted lotteries" in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–625, §2(a), amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) read as follows: "The provisions of sections 1301, 1302, 1303, and 1304 shall not apply to an advertisement, list of prizes, or information concerning a lottery conducted by a State acting under the authority of State law—

"(1) contained in a newspaper published in that State or in an adjacent State which conducts such a lottery, or

"(2) broadcast by a radio or television station licensed to a location in that State or an adjacent State which conducts such a lottery."

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100–625, §§2(b), 3(a)(3), inserted "subsection (b) of" after "purposes of" and inserted at end "For purposes of this section, the term a 'not-for-profit organization' means any organization that would qualify as tax exempt under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986."

1979—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 96–90, §1(a), incorporated existing provision in text designated cl. (1), included mailing of equipment, and added cl. (2).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 96–90, §1(b), designated existing text as cl. (1) and added cl. (2).

1976—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 94–525 inserted "or in an adjacent State which conducts such a lottery" after "State".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 100–625 effective 18 months after Nov. 7, 1988, see section 5 of Pub. L. 100–625, set out as a note under section 1304 of this title.

Severability

Pub. L. 100–625, §4, Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3206, provided that: "If any provision of this Act or the amendments made by this Act [amending sections 1304 and 1307 of this title and section 3005 of Title 39, Postal Service, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 1301 and 1304 of this title], or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of this Act and the amendments made by this Act, and the application of such provision to other persons not similarly situated or to other circumstances, shall not be affected by such invalidation."
18 U.S.C. § 3431 (2024) — Title 18: CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / Chapter 221 / Section 3431: Term of court; power of court unaffected by expiration-(Rule)
Term of court; power of court unaffected by expiration-(Rule)
Status: in_force

See Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure

Expiration of term without significance in criminal cases, Rule 45(c).

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 831.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Rule 45(c) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, referred to in text, was rescinded Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966.
18 U.S.C. § 549 (2024) — Title 18: CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / Chapter 27 / Section 549: Removing goods from customs custody; breaking seals
Removing goods from customs custody; breaking seals
Status: in_force

Whoever, without authority, affixes or attaches a customs seal, fastening, or mark, or any seal, fastening, or mark purporting to be a customs seal, fastening, or mark to any vessel, vehicle, warehouse, or package; or

Whoever, without authority, willfully removes, breaks, injures, or defaces any customs seal or other fastening or mark placed upon any vessel, vehicle, warehouse, or package containing merchandise or baggage in bond or in customs custody; or

Whoever maliciously enters any bonded warehouse or any vessel or vehicle laden with or containing bonded merchandise with intent unlawfully to remove therefrom any merchandise or baggage therein, or unlawfully removes any merchandise or baggage in such vessel, vehicle, or bonded warehouse or otherwise in customs custody or control; or

Whoever receives or transports any merchandise or baggage unlawfully removed from any such vessel, vehicle, or warehouse, knowing the same to have been unlawfully removed—

Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 717; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147; Pub. L. 109–177, title III, §311(e), Mar. 9, 2006, 120 Stat. 242.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on section 1598 of title 19, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Customs Duties (June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, §598, 46 Stat. 752; June 25, 1938, ch. 679, §26, 52 Stat. 1089).

Reference to persons causing, procuring, aiding or assisting was omitted as unnecessary in view of definition of "principal" in section 2 of this title.

In view of definition of felony in section 1 of this title words "guilty of a felony" were omitted. (See reviser's note under section 550 of this title.)

The punishment prescribed by section 545 of this title was inserted to make this section complete without reference to another section. In doing so it was necessary to rephrase the punishment provision of section 545 of this title, as originally enacted, without change of substance.

Forfeiture provision was omitted to conform with current administrative practice.

Changes were made in phraseology.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Pub. L. 109–177 substituted "10 years" for "two years" in last par.

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $5,000" in last par.
18 U.S.C. § 2254 (2024) — Title 18: CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / Chapter 110 / Section 2254: Civil forfeiture
Civil forfeiture
Status: in_force

Any property subject to forfeiture pursuant to section 2253 may be forfeited to the United States in a civil case in accordance with the procedures set forth in chapter 46.

(Added Pub. L. 98–292, §6, May 21, 1984, 98 Stat. 205; amended Pub. L. 99–500, §101(m) [title II, §201(a), (c)], Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783–308, 1783–314, and Pub. L. 99–591, §101(m) [title II, §201(a), (c)], Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341–308, 3341–314; Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, §7522(c), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4498; Pub. L. 101–647, title XX, §2003, title XXXV, §3565, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4855, 4928; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330011(m)(2), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2145; Pub. L. 105–314, title VI, §603, Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 2982; Pub. L. 106–185, §2(c)(4), Apr. 25, 2000, 114 Stat. 211; Pub. L. 107–273, div. B, title IV, §4003(a)(6), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1811; Pub. L. 109–248, title V, §505(d), July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 630.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Pub. L. 99–591 is a corrected version of Pub. L. 99–500.

Amendments

2006—Pub. L. 109–248 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to civil forfeiture of certain types of property described in this chapter and laws applicable to civil forfeiture proceedings.

2002—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 107–273 struck out comma before period at end.

2000—Subsec. (a)(2), (3). Pub. L. 106–185 struck out before period at end ", except that no property shall be forfeited under this paragraph, to the extent of the interest of an owner, by reason of any act or omission established by that owner to have been committed or omitted without the knowledge or consent of that owner".

1998—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 105–314, §603(1), substituted "2252, 2252A, or 2260 of this chapter, or used or intended to be used to commit or to promote the commission of an offense under section 2421, 2422, or 2423 of chapter 117," for "or 2252 of this chapter".

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 105–314, §603(2), substituted "2252, 2252A, or 2260 of this chapter, or obtained from a violation of section 2421, 2422, or 2423 of chapter 117," for "or 2252 of this chapter".

1994—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 103–322, §330011(m)(2), amended directory language of Pub. L. 101–647, §3565(3)(A). See 1990 Amendment note below.

1990—Subsec. (a)(1) to (3). Pub. L. 101–647, §3565(1), substituted "section 2251" for "sections 2251".

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 101–647, §3565(2), inserted heading.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 101–647, §3565(3)(A), as amended by Pub. L. 103–322, §330011(m)(2), substituted "section" for "subchapter" after "forfeited under this" in two places in concluding provisions.

Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 101–647, §3565(3)(B), substituted "under section 616 of the Tariff Act of 1930" for "pursuant to section 1616 of title 19".

Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 101–647, §2003, inserted ", by public sale or any other commercially feasible means," after "sell".

1988—Pub. L. 100–690 amended section generally, substituting subsecs. (a) to (i) for former subsecs. (a) to (d).

1986—Pub. L. 99–500 and Pub. L. 99–591 amended section identically, inserting ", and any property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, which was used or intended to be used, in any manner or part, to facilitate a violation of this chapter" in subsec. (a)(1), substituting "Attorney General or the Postal Service" for "Attorney General" in subsec. (b), and adding subsecs. (c) and (d).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2000 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 106–185 applicable to any forfeiture proceeding commenced on or after the date that is 120 days after Apr. 25, 2000, see section 21 of Pub. L. 106–185, set out as a note under section 1324 of Title 8, Aliens and Nationality.

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330011(m), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2145, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective as of Nov. 29, 1990.
18 U.S.C. § 24 (2024) — Title 18: CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / Chapter 1 / Section 24: Definitions relating to Federal health care offense
Definitions relating to Federal health care offense
Status: in_force

(a) As used in this title, the term "Federal health care offense" means a violation of, or a criminal conspiracy to violate—

(1) section 669, 1035, 1347, or 1518 of this title or section 1128B of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a–7b); or

(2) section 287, 371, 664, 666, 1001, 1027, 1341, 1343, 1349, or 1954 of this title section 301 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 331), or section 501 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1131), or section 411, 518, or 511 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,,1 if the violation or conspiracy relates to a health care benefit program.

(b) As used in this title, the term "health care benefit program" means any public or private plan or contract, affecting commerce, under which any medical benefit, item, or service is provided to any individual, and includes any individual or entity who is providing a medical benefit, item, or service for which payment may be made under the plan or contract.

(Added Pub. L. 104–191, title II, §241(a), Aug. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 2016; amended Pub. L. 111–148, title VI, §6602, title X, §10606(c), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 780, 1008.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Sections 411, 518, and 511 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), are classified to sections 1111, 1148, and 1141, respectively, of Title 29, Labor.

Amendments

2010—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 111–148, §10606(c)(1), substituted "or section 1128B of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a–7b); or" for semicolon.

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 111–148, §10606(c)(2)(B), which directed insertion of "section 301 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 331), or section 501 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1131)," after "title," was executed by making the insertion after "title" to reflect the probable intent of Congress because "title," did not appear subsequent to amendment by Pub. L. 111–148, §6602. See below.

Pub. L. 111–148, §10606(c)(2)(A), inserted "1349," after "1343,".

Pub. L. 111–148, §6602, inserted "or section 411, 518, or 511 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974," after "1954 of this title".

1 So in original. The second comma probably should follow "1954 of this title".
18 U.S.C. § 2511 (2024) — Title 18: CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / Chapter 119 / Section 2511: Interception and disclosure of wire, oral, or electronic communications prohibited
Interception and disclosure of wire, oral, or electronic communications prohibited
Status: in_force

(1) Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter any person who—

(a) intentionally intercepts, endeavors to intercept, or procures any other person to intercept or endeavor to intercept, any wire, oral, or electronic communication;

(b) intentionally uses, endeavors to use, or procures any other person to use or endeavor to use any electronic, mechanical, or other device to intercept any oral communication when—

(i) such device is affixed to, or otherwise transmits a signal through, a wire, cable, or other like connection used in wire communication; or

(ii) such device transmits communications by radio, or interferes with the transmission of such communication; or

(iii) such person knows, or has reason to know, that such device or any component thereof has been sent through the mail or transported in interstate or foreign commerce; or

(iv) such use or endeavor to use (A) takes place on the premises of any business or other commercial establishment the operations of which affect interstate or foreign commerce; or (B) obtains or is for the purpose of obtaining information relating to the operations of any business or other commercial establishment the operations of which affect interstate or foreign commerce; or

(v) such person acts in the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the United States;

(c) intentionally discloses, or endeavors to disclose, to any other person the contents of any wire, oral, or electronic communication, knowing or having reason to know that the information was obtained through the interception of a wire, oral, or electronic communication in violation of this subsection;

(d) intentionally uses, or endeavors to use, the contents of any wire, oral, or electronic communication, knowing or having reason to know that the information was obtained through the interception of a wire, oral, or electronic communication in violation of this subsection; or

(e)(i) intentionally discloses, or endeavors to disclose, to any other person the contents of any wire, oral, or electronic communication, intercepted by means authorized by sections 2511(2)(a)(ii), 2511(2)(b)–(c), 2511(2)(e), 2516, and 2518 of this chapter, (ii) knowing or having reason to know that the information was obtained through the interception of such a communication in connection with a criminal investigation, (iii) having obtained or received the information in connection with a criminal investigation, and (iv) with intent to improperly obstruct, impede, or interfere with a duly authorized criminal investigation,

shall be punished as provided in subsection (4) or shall be subject to suit as provided in subsection (5).

(2)(a)(i) It shall not be unlawful under this chapter for an operator of a switchboard, or an officer, employee, or agent of a provider of wire or electronic communication service, whose facilities are used in the transmission of a wire or electronic communication, to intercept, disclose, or use that communication in the normal course of his employment while engaged in any activity which is a necessary incident to the rendition of his service or to the protection of the rights or property of the provider of that service, except that a provider of wire communication service to the public shall not utilize service observing or random monitoring except for mechanical or service quality control checks.

(ii) Notwithstanding any other law, providers of wire or electronic communication service, their officers, employees, and agents, landlords, custodians, or other persons, are authorized to provide information, facilities, or technical assistance to persons authorized by law to intercept wire, oral, or electronic communications or to conduct electronic surveillance, as defined in section 101 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, if such provider, its officers, employees, or agents, landlord, custodian, or other specified person, has been provided with—

(A) a court order directing such assistance or a court order pursuant to section 704 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 signed by the authorizing judge, or

(B) a certification in writing by a person specified in section 2518(7) of this title or the Attorney General of the United States that no warrant or court order is required by law, that all statutory requirements have been met, and that the specified assistance is required,

setting forth the period of time during which the provision of the information, facilities, or technical assistance is authorized and specifying the information, facilities, or technical assistance required. No provider of wire or electronic communication service, officer, employee, or agent thereof, or landlord, custodian, or other specified person shall disclose the existence of any interception or surveillance or the device used to accomplish the interception or surveillance with respect to which the person has been furnished a court order or certification under this chapter, except as may otherwise be required by legal process and then only after prior notification to the Attorney General or to the principal prosecuting attorney of a State or any political subdivision of a State, as may be appropriate. Any such disclosure, shall render such person liable for the civil damages provided for in section 2520. No cause of action shall lie in any court against any provider of wire or electronic communication service, its officers, employees, or agents, landlord, custodian, or other specified person for providing information, facilities, or assistance in accordance with the terms of a court order, statutory authorization, or certification under this chapter.

(iii) If a certification under subparagraph (ii)(B) for assistance to obtain foreign intelligence information is based on statutory authority, the certification shall identify the specific statutory provision and shall certify that the statutory requirements have been met.

(b) It shall not be unlawful under this chapter for an officer, employee, or agent of the Federal Communications Commission, in the normal course of his employment and in discharge of the monitoring responsibilities exercised by the Commission in the enforcement of chapter 5 of title 47 of the United States Code, to intercept a wire or electronic communication, or oral communication transmitted by radio, or to disclose or use the information thereby obtained.

(c) It shall not be unlawful under this chapter for a person acting under color of law to intercept a wire, oral, or electronic communication, where such person is a party to the communication or one of the parties to the communication has given prior consent to such interception.

(d) It shall not be unlawful under this chapter for a person not acting under color of law to intercept a wire, oral, or electronic communication where such person is a party to the communication or where one of the parties to the communication has given prior consent to such interception unless such communication is intercepted for the purpose of committing any criminal or tortious act in violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States or of any State.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title or section 705 or 706 of the Communications Act of 1934, it shall not be unlawful for an officer, employee, or agent of the United States in the normal course of his official duty to conduct electronic surveillance, as defined in section 101 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, as authorized by that Act.

(f) Nothing contained in this chapter or chapter 121 or 206 of this title, or section 705 of the Communications Act of 1934, shall be deemed to affect the acquisition by the United States Government of foreign intelligence information from international or foreign communications, or foreign intelligence activities conducted in accordance with otherwise applicable Federal law involving a foreign electronic communications system, utilizing a means other than electronic surveillance as defined in section 101 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, and procedures in this chapter or chapter 121 and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 shall be the exclusive means by which electronic surveillance, as defined in section 101 of such Act, and the interception of domestic wire, oral, and electronic communications may be conducted.

(g) It shall not be unlawful under this chapter or chapter 121 of this title for any person—

(i) to intercept or access an electronic communication made through an electronic communication system that is configured so that such electronic communication is readily accessible to the general public;

(ii) to intercept any radio communication which is transmitted—

(I) by any station for the use of the general public, or that relates to ships, aircraft, vehicles, or persons in distress;

(II) by any governmental, law enforcement, civil defense, private land mobile, or public safety communications system, including police and fire, readily accessible to the general public;

(III) by a station operating on an authorized frequency within the bands allocated to the amateur, citizens band, or general mobile radio services; or

(IV) by any marine or aeronautical communications system;

(iii) to engage in any conduct which—

(I) is prohibited by section 633 of the Communications Act of 1934; or

(II) is excepted from the application of section 705(a) of the Communications Act of 1934 by section 705(b) of that Act;

(iv) to intercept any wire or electronic communication the transmission of which is causing harmful interference to any lawfully operating station or consumer electronic equipment, to the extent necessary to identify the source of such interference; or

(v) for other users of the same frequency to intercept any radio communication made through a system that utilizes frequencies monitored by individuals engaged in the provision or the use of such system, if such communication is not scrambled or encrypted.

(h) It shall not be unlawful under this chapter—

(i) to use a pen register or a trap and trace device (as those terms are defined for the purposes of chapter 206 (relating to pen registers and trap and trace devices) of this title); or

(ii) for a provider of electronic communication service to record the fact that a wire or electronic communication was initiated or completed in order to protect such provider, another provider furnishing service toward the completion of the wire or electronic communication, or a user of that service, from fraudulent, unlawful or abusive use of such service.

(i) It shall not be unlawful under this chapter for a person acting under color of law to intercept the wire or electronic communications of a computer trespasser transmitted to, through, or from the protected computer, if—

(I) the owner or operator of the protected computer authorizes the interception of the computer trespasser's communications on the protected computer;

(II) the person acting under color of law is lawfully engaged in an investigation;

(III) the person acting under color of law has reasonable grounds to believe that the contents of the computer trespasser's communications will be relevant to the investigation; and

(IV) such interception does not acquire communications other than those transmitted to or from the computer trespasser.

(j) It shall not be unlawful under this chapter for a provider of electronic communication service to the public or remote computing service to intercept or disclose the contents of a wire or electronic communication in response to an order from a foreign government that is subject to an executive agreement that the Attorney General has determined and certified to Congress satisfies section 2523.

(3)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, a person or entity providing an electronic communication service to the public shall not intentionally divulge the contents of any communication (other than one to such person or entity, or an agent thereof) while in transmission on that service to any person or entity other than an addressee or intended recipient of such communication or an agent of such addressee or intended recipient.

(b) A person or entity providing electronic communication service to the public may divulge the contents of any such communication—

(i) as otherwise authorized in section 2511(2)(a) or 2517 of this title;

(ii) with the lawful consent of the originator or any addressee or intended recipient of such communication;

(iii) to a person employed or authorized, or whose facilities are used, to forward such communication to its destination; or

(iv) which were inadvertently obtained by the service provider and which appear to pertain to the commission of a crime, if such divulgence is made to a law enforcement agency.

(4)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection or in subsection (5), whoever violates subsection (1) of this section shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

(b) Conduct otherwise an offense under this subsection that consists of or relates to the interception of a satellite transmission that is not encrypted or scrambled and that is transmitted—

(i) to a broadcasting station for purposes of retransmission to the general public; or

(ii) as an audio subcarrier intended for redistribution to facilities open to the public, but not including data transmissions or telephone calls,

is not an offense under this subsection unless the conduct is for the purposes of direct or indirect commercial advantage or private financial gain.

(5)(a)(i) If the communication is—

(A) a private satellite video communication that is not scrambled or encrypted and the conduct in violation of this chapter is the private viewing of that communication and is not for a tortious or illegal purpose or for purposes of direct or indirect commercial advantage or private commercial gain; or

(B) a radio communication that is transmitted on frequencies allocated under subpart D of part 74 of the rules of the Federal Communications Commission that is not scrambled or encrypted and the conduct in violation of this chapter is not for a tortious or illegal purpose or for purposes of direct or indirect commercial advantage or private commercial gain,

then the person who engages in such conduct shall be subject to suit by the Federal Government in a court of competent jurisdiction.

(ii) In an action under this subsection—

(A) if the violation of this chapter is a first offense for the person under paragraph (a) of subsection (4) and such person has not been found liable in a civil action under section 2520 of this title, the Federal Government shall be entitled to appropriate injunctive relief; and

(B) if the violation of this chapter is a second or subsequent offense under paragraph (a) of subsection (4) or such person has been found liable in any prior civil action under section 2520, the person shall be subject to a mandatory $500 civil fine.

(b) The court may use any means within its authority to enforce an injunction issued under paragraph (ii)(A), and shall impose a civil fine of not less than $500 for each violation of such an injunction.

(Added Pub. L. 90–351, title III, §802, June 19, 1968, 82 Stat. 213; amended Pub. L. 91–358, title II, §211(a), July 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 654; Pub. L. 95–511, title II, §201(a)–(c), Oct. 25, 1978, 92 Stat. 1796, 1797; Pub. L. 98–549, §6(b)(2), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2804; Pub. L. 99–508, title I, §§101(b), (c)(1), (5), (6), (d), (f)[(1)], 102, Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1849, 1851–1853; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXII, §320901, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(G), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2123, 2147; Pub. L. 103–414, title II, §§202(b), 204, 205, Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4290, 4291; Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, §604(b)(42), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3509; Pub. L. 107–56, title II, §§204, 217(2), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 281, 291; Pub. L. 107–296, title XXII, §2207(h)(2), (j)(1), formerly title II, §225(h)(2), (j)(1), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2158, renumbered §2207(h)(2), (j)(1), Pub. L. 115–278, §2(g)(2)(I), Nov. 16, 2018, 132 Stat. 4178; Pub. L. 110–261, title I, §§101(c)(1), 102(c)(1), title IV, §403(b)(2)(C), July 10, 2008, 122 Stat. 2459, 2474; Pub. L. 115–141, div. V, §104(1)(A), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1216.)

Amendment of Paragraph (2)(a)(ii)(A)

Pub. L. 110–261, title IV, §403(b)(2), July 10, 2008, 122 Stat. 2474, as amended by Pub. L. 112–238, §2(a)(2), Dec. 30, 2012, 126 Stat. 1631; Pub. L. 115–118, title II, §201(a)(2), Jan. 19, 2018, 132 Stat. 19, provided that, except as provided in section 404 of Pub. L. 110–261, set out as a note under section 1801 of Title 50, War and National Defense, effective two years after Apr. 20, 2024, paragraph (2)(a)(ii)(A) of this section is amended by striking "or a court order pursuant to section 704 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978".

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, referred to in par. (2)(e), (f), is Pub. L. 95–511, Oct. 25, 1978, 92 Stat. 1783, which is classified principally to chapter 36 (§1801 et seq.) of Title 50, War and National Defense. Sections 101 and 704 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, referred to in par. (2)(a)(ii), (e), and (f), are classified to sections 1801 and 1881c of Title 50, respectively. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1801 of Title 50 and Tables.

Sections 633, 705, and 706 of the Communications Act of 1934, referred to in par. (2)(e), (f), (g)(iii), are classified to sections 553, 605, and 606 of Title 47, Telecommunications, respectively.

Amendments

2018—Par. (2)(j). Pub. L. 115–141 added subpar. (j).

2008—Par. (2)(a)(ii)(A). Pub. L. 110–261, §101(c)(1), inserted "or a court order pursuant to section 704 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978" after "assistance".

Par. (2)(a)(iii). Pub. L. 110–261, §102(c)(1), added cl. (iii).

2002—Par. (2)(a)(ii). Pub. L. 107–296, §2207(h)(2), formerly §225(h)(2), as renumbered by Pub. L. 115–278, §2(g)(2)(I), inserted ", statutory authorization," after "terms of a court order" in concluding provisions.

Par. (4)(b), (c). Pub. L. 107–296, §2207(j)(1), formerly §225(j)(1), as renumbered by Pub. L. 115–278, §2(g)(2)(I), redesignated subpar. (c) as (b) and struck out former subpar. (b) which read as follows: "If the offense is a first offense under paragraph (a) of this subsection and is not for a tortious or illegal purpose or for purposes of direct or indirect commercial advantage or private commercial gain, and the wire or electronic communication with respect to which the offense under paragraph (a) is a radio communication that is not scrambled, encrypted, or transmitted using modulation techniques the essential parameters of which have been withheld from the public with the intention of preserving the privacy of such communication, then—

"(i) if the communication is not the radio portion of a cellular telephone communication, a cordless telephone communication that is transmitted between the cordless telephone handset and the base unit, a public land mobile radio service communication or a paging service communication, and the conduct is not that described in subsection (5), the offender shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both; and

"(ii) if the communication is the radio portion of a cellular telephone communication, a cordless telephone communication that is transmitted between the cordless telephone handset and the base unit, a public land mobile radio service communication or a paging service communication, the offender shall be fined under this title."

2001—Par. (2)(f). Pub. L. 107–56, §204, substituted "this chapter or chapter 121 or 206 of this title, or section 705 of the Communications Act of 1934" for "this chapter or chapter 121, or section 705 of the Communications Act of 1934" and "wire, oral, and electronic communications" for "wire and oral communications".

Par. (2)(i). Pub. L. 107–56, §217(2), added subpar. (i).

1996—Par. (1)(e)(i). Pub. L. 104–294 substituted "sections 2511(2)(a)(ii), 2511(2)(b)–(c), 2511(2)(e), 2516, and 2518 of this chapter" for "sections 2511(2)(A)(ii), 2511(b)–(c), 2511(e), 2516, and 2518 of this subchapter".

1994—Par. (1)(e). Pub. L. 103–322, §320901, added par. (1)(e).

Par. (2)(a)(i). Pub. L. 103–414, §205, inserted "or electronic" after "transmission of a wire".

Par. (4)(b). Pub. L. 103–414, §204, in introductory provisions substituted ", encrypted, or transmitted using modulation techniques the essential parameters of which have been withheld from the public with the intention of preserving the privacy of such communication, then" for "or encrypted, then".

Par. (4)(b)(i). Pub. L. 103–414, §202(b)(1), inserted "a cordless telephone communication that is transmitted between the cordless telephone handset and the base unit," after "cellular telephone communication,".

Par. (4)(b)(ii). Pub. L. 103–414, §202(b)(2), inserted "a cordless telephone communication that is transmitted between the cordless telephone handset and the base unit," after "cellular telephone communication,".

Pub. L. 103–322, §330016(1)(G), substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $500".

1986—Pub. L. 99–508, §101(c)(1)(A), substituted "wire, oral, or electronic" for "wire or oral" in section catchline.

Par. (1). Pub. L. 99–508, §101(c)(1)(A), (d)(1), (f)[(1)], substituted "intentionally" for "willfully" in subpars. (a) to (d) and "wire, oral, or electronic' for "wire or oral" wherever appearing in subpars. (a), (c), and (d), and in concluding provisions substituted "shall be punished as provided in subsection (4) or shall be subject to suit as provided in subsection (5)" for "shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both".

Par. (2)(a)(i). Pub. L. 99–508, §101(c)(5), substituted "a provider of wire or electronic communication service" for "any communication common carrier" and "of the provider of that service, except that a provider of wire communication service to the public" for "of the carrier of such communication: Provided, That said communication common carriers".

Par. (2)(a)(ii). Pub. L. 99–508, §101(b)(1), (c)(1)(A), (6), substituted "providers of wire or electronic communication service" for "communication common carriers", "wire, oral, or electronic" for "wire or oral", "if such provider" for "if the common carrier", "provider of wire or electronic communication service" for "communication common carrier" wherever appearing, "such disclosure" for "violation of this subparagraph by a communication common carrier or an officer, employee, or agent thereof", "render such person liable" for "render the carrier liable", and "a court order or certification under this chapter" for "an order or certification under this subparagraph" in two places.

Par. (2)(b). Pub. L. 99–508, §101(c)(1)(B), inserted "or electronic" after "wire".

Par. (2)(c). Pub. L. 99–508, §101(c)(1)(A), substituted "wire, oral, or electronic" for "wire or oral".

Par. (2)(d). Pub. L. 99–508, §101(b)(2), (c)(1)(A), substituted "wire, oral, or electronic" for "wire or oral" and struck out "or for the purpose of committing any other injurious act" after "of any State".

Par. (2)(f). Pub. L. 99–508, §101(b)(3), inserted "or chapter 121" in two places and substituted "foreign communications, or foreign intelligence activities conducted in accordance with otherwise applicable Federal law involving a foreign electronic communications system, utilizing a means" for "foreign communications by a means".

Par. (2)(g), (h). Pub. L. 99–508, §101(b)(4), added subpars. (g) and (h).

Par. (3). Pub. L. 99–508, §102, added par. (3).

Pars. (4), (5). Pub. L. 99–508, §101(d)(2), added pars. (4) and (5).

1984—Par. (2)(e). Pub. L. 98–549, §6(b)(2)(A), substituted "section 705 or 706" for "section 605 or 606".

Par. (2)(f). Pub. L. 98–549, §6(b)(2)(B), substituted "section 705" for "section 605".

1978—Par. (2)(a)(ii). Pub. L. 95–511, §201(a), substituted provisions authorizing communication common carriers etc., to provide information to designated persons, prohibiting disclosure of intercepted information, and rendering violators civilly liable for provision exempting communication common carriers from criminality for giving information to designated officers.

Par. (2)(e), (f). Pub. L. 95–511, §201(b), added par. (2)(e) and (f).

Par. (3). Pub. L. 95–511, §201(c), struck out par. (3) which provided that nothing in this chapter or section 605 of title 47 limited the President's constitutional power to gather necessary intelligence to protect the national security and stated the conditions necessary for the reception into evidence and disclosure of communications intercepted by the President.

1970—Par. (2)(a). Pub. L. 91–358 designated existing provisions as cl. (i) and added cl. (ii).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Amendments by sections 101(c)(1) and 102(c)(1) of Pub. L. 110–261 effective July 10, 2008, except as otherwise provided in section 404 of Pub. L. 110–261, set out as a Transition Procedures note under section 1801 of Title 50, War and National Defense, see section 402 of Pub. L. 110–261, set out as a note under section 1801 of Title 50.

Pub. L. 110–261, title IV, §403(b)(2), July 10, 2008, 122 Stat. 2474, as amended by Pub. L. 112–238, §2(a)(2), Dec. 30, 2012, 126 Stat. 1631; Pub. L. 115–118, title II, §201(a)(2), Jan. 19, 2018, 132 Stat. 19; Pub. L. 118–31, div. G, title IX, §7902(a)(2), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 1108; Pub. L. 118–49, §19(a)(2), Apr. 20, 2024, 138 Stat. 891, provided that, except as provided in section 404 of Pub. L. 110–261, set out as a Transition Procedures note under section 1801 of Title 50, War and National Defense, the amendments made by section 403(b)(2) are effective two years after the date of enactment of the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act, Pub. L. 118–49, which was approved Apr. 20, 2024.

Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–296 effective 60 days after Nov. 25, 2002, see section 4 of Pub. L. 107–296, set out as an Effective Date note under section 101 of Title 6, Domestic Security.

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 104–294 effective Sept. 13, 1994, see section 604(d) of Pub. L. 104–294, set out as a note under section 13 of this title.

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–508 effective 90 days after Oct. 21, 1986, and, in case of conduct pursuant to court order or extension, applicable only with respect to court orders and extensions made after such date, with special rule for State authorizations of interceptions, see section 111 of Pub. L. 99–508, set out as a note under section 2510 of this title.

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 98–549 effective 60 days after Oct. 30, 1984, see section 9(a) of Pub. L. 98–549, set out as an Effective Date note under section 521 of Title 47, Telecommunications.

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–511 effective Oct. 25, 1978, except as specifically provided, see section 401 of Pub. L. 95–511, formerly set out as an Effective Date note under section 1801 of Title 50, War and National Defense.

Effective Date of 1970 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 91–358 effective on first day of seventh calendar month which begins after July 29, 1970, see section 901(a) of Pub. L. 91–358.
18 U.S.C. § 3056A (2024) — Title 18: CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / Chapter 203 / Section 3056A: Powers, authorities, and duties of United States Secret Service Uniformed Division
Powers, authorities, and duties of United States Secret Service Uniformed Division
Status: in_force

(a) There is hereby created and established a permanent police force, to be known as the "United States Secret Service Uniformed Division". Subject to the supervision of the Secretary of Homeland Security, the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division shall perform such duties as the Director, United States Secret Service, may prescribe in connection with the protection of the following:

(1) The White House in the District of Columbia.

(2) Any building in which Presidential offices are located.

(3) The Treasury Building and grounds.

(4) The President, the Vice President (or other officer next in the order of succession to the Office of President), the President-elect, the Vice President-elect, and their immediate families.

(5) Foreign diplomatic missions located in the metropolitan area of the District of Columbia.

(6) The temporary official residence of the Vice President and grounds in the District of Columbia.

(7) Foreign diplomatic missions located in metropolitan areas (other than the District of Columbia) in the United States where there are located twenty or more such missions headed by full-time officers, except that such protection shall be provided only—

(A) on the basis of extraordinary protective need;

(B) upon request of an affected metropolitan area; and

(C) when the extraordinary protective need arises at or in association with a visit to—

(i) a permanent mission to, or an observer mission invited to participate in the work of, an international organization of which the United States is a member; or

(ii) an international organization of which the United States is a member;

except that such protection may also be provided for motorcades and at other places associated with any such visit and may be extended at places of temporary domicile in connection with any such visit.

(8) Foreign consular and diplomatic missions located in such areas in the United States, its territories and possessions, as the President, on a case-by-case basis, may direct.

(9) Visits of foreign government officials to metropolitan areas (other than the District of Columbia) where there are located twenty or more consular or diplomatic missions staffed by accredited personnel, including protection for motorcades and at other places associated with such visits when such officials are in the United States to conduct official business with the United States Government.

(10) Former Presidents and their spouses, as provided in section 3056(a)(3) of title 18.

(11) An event designated under section 3056(e) of title 18 as a special event of national significance.

(12) Major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and, within 120 days of the general Presidential election, the spouses of such candidates, as provided in section 3056(a)(7) of title 18.

(13) Visiting heads of foreign states or foreign governments.

(b)(1) Under the direction of the Director of the Secret Service, members of the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division are authorized to—

(A) carry firearms;

(B) make arrests without warrant for any offense against the United States committed in their presence, or for any felony cognizable under the laws of the United States if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing such felony; and

(C) perform such other functions and duties as are authorized by law.

(2) Members of the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division shall possess privileges and powers similar to those of the members of the Metropolitan Police of the District of Columbia.

(c) Members of the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division shall be furnished with uniforms and other necessary equipment.

(d) In carrying out the functions pursuant to paragraphs (7) and (9) of subsection (a), the Secretary of Homeland Security may utilize, with their consent, on a reimbursable basis, the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of State and local governments, and is authorized to reimburse such State and local governments for the utilization of such services, personnel, equipment, and facilities. The Secretary of Homeland Security may carry out the functions pursuant to paragraphs (7) and (9) of subsection (a) by contract. The authority of this subsection may be transferred by the President to the Secretary of State. In carrying out any duty under paragraphs (7) and (9) of subsection (a), the Secretary of State is authorized to utilize any authority available to the Secretary under title II of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956.

(Added Pub. L. 109–177, title VI, §605(a), Mar. 9, 2006, 120 Stat. 253.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Title II of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956, referred to in subsec. (d), is title II of act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 841, as added Aug. 24, 1982, Pub. L. 97–241, title II, §202(b), 96 Stat. 283, known as the Foreign Missions Act, which is classified principally to chapter 53 (§4301 et seq.) of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse. For complete classification of title II to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4301 of Title 22 and Tables.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Pub. L. 95–179, Nov. 15, 1977, 91 Stat. 1371, provided in part that: "Any reference in any other law or in any regulation, document, record, or other paper of the United States to the Executive Protective Service shall be held to be a reference to the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division."

Pub. L. 91–297, title II, §202, June 30, 1970, 84 Stat. 358, provided that: "All laws of the United States in force on the date of enactment of this title [June 30, 1970] in which reference is made to the White House Police force are amended by substituting 'Executive Protective Service' for each such reference."

Savings Provisions

Pub. L. 109–177, title VI, §606, Mar. 9, 2006, 120 Stat. 256, provided that:

"(a) This title [see Tables for classification] does not affect the retirement benefits of current employees or annuitants that existed on the day before the effective date of this Act [probably means Mar. 9, 2006, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 109–177].

"(b) This title does not affect any Executive order transferring to the Secretary of State the authority of section 208 of title 3 (now section 3056A(d) of title 18) in effect on the day before the effective date of this Act."

Conversion to New Salary Schedule

Pub. L. 106–554, §1(a)(4) [div. B, title IX, §905], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–306, as amended by Pub. L. 111–282, §4(b)(4), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3043, provided that:

"(a) In General.—

"(1) Determination of rates of basic pay.—Effective on the first day of the 1st pay period beginning 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 21, 2000], the Secretary of the Interior shall fix the rates of basic pay for officers and members of the United States Park Police, in accordance with this subsection.

"(2) Placement on revised salary schedule.—

"(A) In general.—Each officer and member shall be placed in and receive basic compensation at the corresponding scheduled service step of the salary schedule under section 501(c) of the District of Columbia Police and Firemen's Salary Act of 1958 [Pub. L. 85–584, title V, Aug. 1, 1958, 72 Stat. 485] (as amended by section 902(a)) in accordance with the member's total years of creditable service, receiving credit for all service step adjustments. If the scheduled rate of pay for the step to which the officer or member would be assigned in accordance with this paragraph is lower than the officer's or member's salary immediately prior to the enactment of this paragraph, the officer or member will be placed in and receive compensation at the next higher service step.

"(B) Credit for increases during transition.—Each member whose position is to be converted to the salary schedule under section 501(b) of the District of Columbia Police and Firemen's Salary Act of 1958 (as amended by subsection (a)) and who, prior to the effective date of this section [set out below] has earned, but has not been credited with, an increase in his or her rate of pay shall be afforded that increase before such member is placed in the corresponding service step in the salary schedule under section 501(b).

"(C) Creditable service described.—For purposes of this paragraph, an officer's or member's creditable service is any police service in pay status with the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division, United States Park Police, or Metropolitan Police Department.

"(b) Hold Harmless for Current Total Compensation.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the total rate of compensation for an officer or employee for any pay period occurring after conversion to the salary schedule pursuant to subsection (a) (determined by taking into account any locality-based comparability adjustments, longevity pay, and other adjustments paid in addition to the rate of basic compensation) is less than the officer's or employee's total rate of compensation (as so determined) on the date of enactment [Dec. 21, 2000], the rate of compensation for the officer or employee for the pay period shall be equal to—

"(1) the rate of compensation on the date of enactment (as so determined); increased by

"(2) a percentage equal to 50 percent of sum of the percentage adjustments made in the rate of basic compensation under section 501(c) of the District of Columbia Police and Firemen's Salary Act of 1958 (as amended by subsection (a)) for pay periods occurring after the date of enactment and prior to the pay period involved.

"(c) Conversion Not Treated as Transfer or Promotion.—The conversion of positions and individuals to appropriate classes of the salary schedule under section 501(c) of the District of Columbia Police and Firemen's Salary Act of 1958 (as amended by section 902(a)) and the initial adjustments of rates of basic pay of those positions and individuals in accordance with subsection (a) shall not be considered to be transfers or promotions within the meaning of section 304 of the District of Columbia Police and Firemen's Salary Act of 1958 [Pub. L. 85–584, title III, Aug. 1, 1958, 72 Stat. 484] (sec. 4–413, D.C. Code).

"(d) Transfer of Credit for Satisfactory Service.—Each individual whose position is converted to the salary schedule under section 501(c) of the District of Columbia Police and Firemen's Salary Act of 1958 (as amended by section 902(a)) in accordance with subsection (a) shall be granted credit for purposes of such individual's first service step adjustment under the salary schedule in such section 501(c) for all satisfactory service performed by the individual since the individual's last increase in basic pay prior to the adjustment under that section.

"(e) Adjustment To Take Into Account General Schedule Adjustments During Transition.—The rates provided under the salary schedule under section 501(c) of the District of Columbia Police and Firemen's Salary Act of 1958 (as amended by section 902(a)) shall be increased by the percentage of any annual adjustment applicable to the General Schedule authorized under section 5303 of title 5, United States Code, which takes effect during the period which begins on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 21, 2000] and ends on the first day of the first pay period beginning 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act.

"(f) Conversion Not Treated as Salary Increase for Purposes of Certain Pensions and Allowances.—The conversion of positions and individuals to appropriate classes of the salary schedule under section 501(c) of the District of Columbia Police and Firemen's Salary Act of 1958 (as amended by section 2[902](a)) and the initial adjustments of rates of basic pay of those positions and individuals in accordance with subsection (a) shall not be treated as an increase in salary for purposes of section 3 of the Act entitled 'An Act to provide increased pensions for widows and children of deceased members of the Police Department and the Fire Department of the District of Columbia', approved August 4, 1949 [ch. 394, 63 Stat. 566] (sec. 4–604, D.C. Code), or section 301 of the District of Columbia Police and Firemen's Salary Act of 1953 [June 20, 1953, ch. 146, title III, 67 Stat. 75] (sec. 4–605, D.C. Code)."

[Pub. L. 111–282, §4(b)(4), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3043, which directed amendment of section 1(a)(4) [div. B, title IX, §905(a)(1)] of Pub. L. 106–554, set out above, by striking out "the Secretary of Treasury" and all that followed through "United States Secret Service Uniformed Division, and", was executed by striking out "the Secretary of the Treasury shall fix the rates of basic pay for officers and members of the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division, and" to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

[Pub. L. 106–554, §1(a)(4) [div. B, title IX, §909], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–310, provided that: "Except as provided in section 908(c) [114 Stat. 2763A–310], this title [enacting provisions set out as notes above and under sections 5301, 5304, and 5305 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, and amending provisions set out as a note under section 5305 of Title 5] and the amendments made by this title shall become effective on the first day of the first pay period beginning 6 months after the date of enactment [Dec. 21, 2000]."]

Secret Service Uniformed Division Compensation

Pub. L. 105–61, title I, §118, Oct. 10, 1997, 111 Stat. 1285, as amended by Pub. L. 111–282, §4(b)(3), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3043, provided that:

"(a) New Rates of Basic Pay.—[Amended Pub. L. 85–584, title V, §501, Aug. 1, 1958, 72 Stat. 485.]

"(b) [Repealed. Pub. L. 111–282, §4(b)(3), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3043.]

"(c) Limitation on Pay Period Earnings.—[Amended act Aug. 15, 1950, ch. 715, 64 Stat. 477.]

"(d) Savings Provision.—On the effective date of this section, any existing special salary rates authorized for members of the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division under section 5305 of title 5, United States Code (or any previous similar provision of law) and any special rates of pay or special pay adjustments under section 403, 404, or 405 of the Federal Law Enforcement Pay Reform Act of 1990 [Pub. L. 101–509, §529 [title IV, §§403–405], 5 U.S.C. 5305 note] applicable to members of the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division shall be rendered inapplicable.

"(e) Conforming Amendment.—[Amended Pub. L. 101–509, §529 [title IV, §405], set out as a note under section 5305 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.]

"(f) Effective Date.—The provisions of this section shall become effective on the first day of the first pay period beginning after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 10, 1997]."

Executive Documents

Ex. Ord. No. 12478. Transfer of Authority to the Secretary of State To Make Reimbursements for Protection of Foreign Missions to International Organizations

Ex. Ord. No. 12478, May 23, 1984, 49 F.R. 22053, provided:

By authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and statutes of the United States of America, and in accordance with the provisions of the Act of December 31, 1975, Public Law 94–196 (89 Stat. 1109), codified as [former] sections 202(7) and 208(a) of Title 3, United States Code, as amended, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. There is transferred to the Secretary of State authority to determine the need for and to approve terms and conditions of the provision of reimbursable extraordinary protective activities for foreign diplomatic missions pursuant to [former] section 202(7), and the authority to make reimbursements to State and local governments for services, personnel, equipment, and facilities pursuant to [former] section 208(a) of Title 3, United States Code;

Sec. 2. There are transferred to the Secretary of State such unexpended moneys as may have been appropriated to the Department of the Treasury for the purpose of permitting reimbursements to be made under the provisions of [former] section 208(a) of Title 3, United States Code;

Sec. 3. The authority transferred pursuant to this Order shall be exercised in coordination with protective security programs administered by the Secretary of State under the Foreign Missions Act of 1982 [22 U.S.C. 4301 et seq.]; authority available under that Act may also be applied to any foreign mission to which [former] section 202(7) applies; and

Sec. 4. This Order shall be effective on October 1, 1984.

Ronald Reagan.
18 U.S.C. § 31 (2024) — Title 18: CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / Chapter 2 / Section 31: Definitions
Definitions
Status: in_force

(a) Definitions.—In this chapter, the following definitions apply:

(1) Aircraft.—The term "aircraft" means a civil, military, or public contrivance invented, used, or designed to navigate, fly, or travel in the air.

(2) Aviation quality.—The term "aviation quality", with respect to a part of an aircraft or space vehicle, means the quality of having been manufactured, constructed, produced, maintained, repaired, overhauled, rebuilt, reconditioned, or restored in conformity with applicable standards specified by law (including applicable regulations).

(3) Destructive substance.—The term "destructive substance" means an explosive substance, flammable material, infernal machine, or other chemical, mechanical, or radioactive device or matter of a combustible, contaminative, corrosive, or explosive nature.

(4) In flight.—The term "in flight" means—

(A) any time from the moment at which all the external doors of an aircraft are closed following embarkation until the moment when any such door is opened for disembarkation; and

(B) in the case of a forced landing, until competent authorities take over the responsibility for the aircraft and the persons and property on board.

(5) In service.—The term "in service" means—

(A) any time from the beginning of preflight preparation of an aircraft by ground personnel or by the crew for a specific flight until 24 hours after any landing; and

(B) in any event includes the entire period during which the aircraft is in flight.

(6) Motor vehicle.—The term "motor vehicle" means every description of carriage or other contrivance propelled or drawn by mechanical power and used for commercial purposes on the highways in the transportation of passengers, passengers and property, or property or cargo.

(7) Part.—The term "part" means a frame, assembly, component, appliance, engine, propeller, material, part, spare part, piece, section, or related integral or auxiliary equipment.

(8) Space vehicle.—The term "space vehicle" means a man-made device, either manned or unmanned, designed for operation beyond the Earth's atmosphere.

(9) State.—The term "State" means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, and any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.

(10) Used for commercial purposes.—The term "used for commercial purposes" means the carriage of persons or property for any fare, fee, rate, charge or other consideration, or directly or indirectly in connection with any business, or other undertaking intended for profit.

(b) Terms Defined in Other Law.—In this chapter, the terms "aircraft engine", "air navigation facility", "appliance", "civil aircraft", "foreign air commerce", "interstate air commerce", "landing area", "overseas air commerce", "propeller", "spare part", and "special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States" have the meanings given those terms in sections 40102(a) and 46501 of title 49.

(Added July 14, 1956, ch. 595, §1, 70 Stat. 538; amended Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §§1010, 2013(a), Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2141, 2187; Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, §7015, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4395; Pub. L. 103–272, §5(e)(1), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1373; Pub. L. 106–181, title V, §506(b), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 136.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2000—Pub. L. 106–181 added subsecs. (a) and (b) and struck out former text which read as follows: "When used in this chapter the term—

" 'Aircraft engine', 'air navigation facility', 'appliance', 'civil aircraft', 'foreign air commerce', 'interstate air commerce', 'landing area', 'overseas air commerce', 'propeller', 'spare part' and 'special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States' shall have the meaning ascribed to those terms in sections 40102(a) and 46501 of title 49.

" 'Motor vehicle' means every description of carriage or other contrivance propelled or drawn by mechanical power and used for commercial purposes on the highways in the transportation of passengers, passengers and property, or property or cargo;

" 'Destructive substance' means any explosive substance, flammable material, infernal machine, or other chemical, mechanical, or radioactive device or matter of a combustible, contaminative, corrosive, or explosive nature;

" 'Used for commercial purposes' means the carriage of persons or property for any fare, fee, rate, charge or other consideration, or directly or indirectly in connection with any business, or other undertaking intended for profit;

" 'In flight' means any time from the moment all the external doors of an aircraft are closed following embarkation until the moment when any such door is opened for disembarkation. In the case of a forced landing the flight shall be deemed to continue until competent authorities take over the responsibility for the aircraft and the persons and property on board; and

" 'In service' means any time from the beginning of preflight preparation of the aircraft by ground personnel or by the crew for a specific flight until twenty-four hours after any landing; the period of service shall, in any event, extend for the entire period during which the aircraft is in flight."

1994—Pub. L. 103–272 substituted "sections 40102(a) and 46501 of title 49" for "the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended" in par. beginning with definition of "Aircraft engine".

1988—Pub. L. 100–690 substituted "door is opened" for "door in opened" in definition of "in flight".

1984—Pub. L. 98–473, §2013(a)(1), in first par. struck out "and" before "spare part", inserted "and 'special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States' ", and substituted "Federal Aviation Act of 1958" for "Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938".

Pub. L. 98–473, §1010, substituted "passengers and property, or property or cargo" for "or passengers and property" in definition of motor vehicle.

Pub. L. 98–473, §2013(a)(2)–(4), inserted definitions of "in flight" and "in service".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2000 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 106–181 applicable only to fiscal years beginning after Sept. 30, 1999, see section 3 of Pub. L. 106–181, set out as a note under section 106 of Title 49, Transportation.

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §2015, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2190, provided that: "This part [part B (§§2011–2015) of chapter XX of title II of Pub. L. 98–473, see Short Title of 1984 Amendment note below] shall become effective on the date of the enactment of this joint resolution [Oct. 12, 1984]."

Short Title of 2000 Amendment

Pub. L. 106–181, title V, §506(a), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 136, provided that: "This section [enacting section 38 of this title and amending this section and section 2516 of this title] may be cited as the 'Aircraft Safety Act of 2000'."

Short Title of 1984 Amendment

Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §2011, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2187, provided that: "This part [part B (§§2011–2015) of chapter XX of title II of Pub. L. 98–473, amending this section, section 32 of this title, and sections 1301, 1471, and 1472 of former Title 49, Transportation, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section] may be cited as the 'Aircraft Sabotage Act'."

Statement of Findings and Purpose for 1984 Amendment

Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §2012, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2187, provided that: "The Congress hereby finds that—

"(1) the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation (ratified by the United States on November 1, 1972) requires each contracting State to establish its jurisdiction over certain offenses affecting the safety of civil aviation;

"(2) such offenses place innocent lives in jeopardy, endanger national security, affect domestic tranquility, gravely affect interstate and foreign commerce, and are offenses against the law of nations; and

"(3) the purpose of this subtitle [probably means part B (§§2011–2015) of chapter XX of title II of Pub. L. 98–473, see Short Title of 1984 Amendment note above] is to implement fully the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation and to expand the protection accorded to aircraft and related facilities."
18 U.S.C. § 843 (2024) — Title 18: CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / Chapter 40 / Section 843: Licenses and user permits
Licenses and user permits
Status: in_force

(a) An application for a user permit or limited permit or a license to import, manufacture, or deal in explosive materials shall be in such form and contain such information as the Attorney General shall by regulation prescribe, including the names of and appropriate identifying information regarding all employees who will be authorized by the applicant to possess explosive materials, as well as fingerprints and a photograph of each responsible person. Each applicant for a license or permit shall pay a fee to be charged as set by the Attorney General, said fee not to exceed $50 for a limited permit and $200 for any other license or permit. Each license or user permit shall be valid for not longer than 3 years from the date of issuance and each limited permit shall be valid for not longer than 1 year from the date of issuance. Each license or permit shall be renewable upon the same conditions and subject to the same restrictions as the original license or permit, and upon payment of a renewal fee not to exceed one-half of the original fee.

(b) Upon the filing of a proper application and payment of the prescribed fee, and subject to the provisions of this chapter and other applicable laws, the Attorney General shall issue to such applicant the appropriate license or permit if—

(1) the applicant (or, if the applicant is a corporation, partnership, or association, each responsible person with respect to the applicant) is not a person described in section 842(i);

(2) the applicant has not willfully violated any of the provisions of this chapter or regulations issued hereunder;

(3) the applicant has in a State premises from which he conducts or intends to conduct business;

(4)(A) the Secretary 1 verifies by inspection or, if the application is for an original limited permit or the first or second renewal of such a permit, by such other means as the Secretary 1 determines appropriate, that the applicant has a place of storage for explosive materials which meets such standards of public safety and security against theft as the Attorney General by regulations shall prescribe; and

(B) subparagraph (A) shall not apply to an applicant for the renewal of a limited permit if the Secretary 1 has verified, by inspection within the preceding 3 years, the matters described in subparagraph (A) with respect to the applicant; and

(5) the applicant has demonstrated and certified in writing that he is familiar with all published State laws and local ordinances relating to explosive materials for the location in which he intends to do business;

(6) none of the employees of the applicant who will be authorized by the applicant to possess explosive materials is any person described in section 842(i); and

(7) in the case of a limited permit, the applicant has certified in writing that the applicant will not receive explosive materials on more than 6 separate occasions during the 12-month period for which the limited permit is valid.

(c) The Attorney General shall approve or deny an application within a period of 90 days for licenses and permits, beginning on the date such application is received by the Attorney General.

(d) The Attorney General may revoke any license or permit issued under this section if in the opinion of the Attorney General the holder thereof has violated any provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation prescribed by the Attorney General under this chapter, or has become ineligible to acquire explosive materials under section 842(d). The Secretary's 2 action under this subsection may be reviewed only as provided in subsection (e)(2) of this section.

(e)(1) Any person whose application is denied or whose license or permit is revoked shall receive a written notice from the Attorney General stating the specific grounds upon which such denial or revocation is based. Any notice of a revocation of a license or permit shall be given to the holder of such license or permit prior to or concurrently with the effective date of the revocation.

(2) If the Attorney General denies an application for, or revokes a license, or permit, he shall, upon request by the aggrieved party, promptly hold a hearing to review his denial or revocation. In the case of a revocation, the Attorney General may upon a request of the holder stay the effective date of the revocation. A hearing under this section shall be at a location convenient to the aggrieved party. The Attorney General shall give written notice of his decision to the aggrieved party within a reasonable time after the hearing. The aggrieved party may, within sixty days after receipt of the Secretary's 2 written decision, file a petition with the United States court of appeals for the district in which he resides or has his principal place of business for a judicial review of such denial or revocation, pursuant to sections 701–706 of title 5, United States Code.

(f) Licensees and holders of user permits shall make available for inspection at all reasonable times their records kept pursuant to this chapter or the regulations issued hereunder, and licensees and permittees shall submit to the Attorney General such reports and information with respect to such records and the contents thereof as he shall by regulations prescribe. The Attorney General may enter during business hours the premises (including places of storage) of any licensee or holder of a user permit, for the purpose of inspecting or examining (1) any records or documents required to be kept by such licensee or permittee, under the provisions of this chapter or regulations issued hereunder, and (2) any explosive materials kept or stored by such licensee or permittee at such premises. Upon the request of any State or any political subdivision thereof, the Attorney General may make available to such State or any political subdivision thereof, any information which he may obtain by reason of the provisions of this chapter with respect to the identification of persons within such State or political subdivision thereof, who have purchased or received explosive materials, together with a description of such explosive materials. The Secretary 1 may inspect the places of storage for explosive materials of an applicant for a limited permit or, at the time of renewal of such permit, a holder of a limited permit, only as provided in subsection (b)(4).

(g) Licenses and user permits issued under the provisions of subsection (b) of this section shall be kept posted and kept available for inspection on the premises covered by the license and permit.

(h)(1) If the Secretary 1 receives, from an employer, the name and other identifying information of a responsible person or an employee who will be authorized by the employer to possess explosive materials in the course of employment with the employer, the Secretary 1 shall determine whether the responsible person or employee is one of the persons described in any paragraph of section 842(i). In making the determination, the Secretary 1 may take into account a letter or document issued under paragraph (2).

(2)(A) If the Secretary 1 determines that the responsible person or the employee is not one of the persons described in any paragraph of section 842(i), the Secretary 1 shall notify the employer in writing or electronically of the determination and issue, to the responsible person or employee, a letter of clearance, which confirms the determination.

(B) If the Secretary 1 determines that the responsible person or employee is one of the persons described in any paragraph of section 842(i), the Secretary 1 shall notify the employer in writing or electronically of the determination and issue to the responsible person or the employee, as the case may be, a document that—

(i) confirms the determination;

(ii) explains the grounds for the determination;

(iii) provides information on how the disability may be relieved; and

(iv) explains how the determination may be appealed.

(i) Furnishing of Samples.—

(1) In general.—Licensed manufacturers and licensed importers and persons who manufacture or import explosive materials or ammonium nitrate shall, when required by letter issued by the Secretary,1 furnish—

(A) samples of such explosive materials or ammonium nitrate;

(B) information on chemical composition of those products; and

(C) any other information that the Secretary 1 determines is relevant to the identification of the explosive materials or to identification of the ammonium nitrate.

(2) Reimbursement.—The Secretary 1 shall, by regulation, authorize reimbursement of the fair market value of samples furnished pursuant to this subsection, as well as the reasonable costs of shipment.

(Added Pub. L. 91–452, title XI, §1102(a), Oct. 15, 1970, 84 Stat. 955; amended Pub. L. 107–296, title XI, §§1112(e)(3), 1122(c)–(h), 1124, Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2276, 2281, 2282, 2285.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2002—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 107–296, §1122(c), in first sentence, inserted "or limited permit" after "user permit" and inserted before period at end ", including the names of and appropriate identifying information regarding all employees who will be authorized by the applicant to possess explosive materials, as well as fingerprints and a photograph of each responsible person", in second sentence, substituted "$50 for a limited permit and $200 for any other" for "$200 for each", inserted third and fourth sentences, and struck out former third sentence which read as follows: "Each license or permit shall be valid for no longer than three years from date of issuance and shall be renewable upon the same conditions and subject to the same restrictions as the original license or permit and upon payment of a renewal fee not to exceed one-half of the original fee."

Pub. L. 107–296, §1112(e)(3), substituted "Attorney General" for "Secretary" in two places.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 107–296, §1112(e)(3), substituted "Attorney General" for "Secretary" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 107–296, §1122(d)(1), added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1) which read as follows: "the applicant (including in the case of a corporation, partnership, or association, any individual possessing, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the corporation, partnership, or association) is not a person to whom the distribution of explosive materials would be unlawful under section 842(d) of this chapter;".

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 107–296, §1122(d)(2), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), inserted "the Secretary verifies by inspection or, if the application is for an original limited permit or the first or second renewal of such a permit, by such other means as the Secretary determines appropriate, that" before "the applicant", and added subpar. (B).

Pub. L. 107–296, §1112(e)(3), substituted "the Attorney General by regulations" for "the Secretary by regulations".

Subsec. (b)(6), (7). Pub. L. 107–296, §1122(d)(3), (4), added pars. (6) and (7).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 107–296, §1122(e), substituted "90 days for licenses and permits," for "forty-five days".

Pub. L. 107–296, §1112(e)(3), substituted "Attorney General" for "Secretary" in two places.

Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 107–296, §1112(e)(3), substituted "Attorney General" for "Secretary" wherever appearing.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 107–296, §1122(f), in first sentence, substituted "Licensees and holders of user permits" for "Licensees and permittees" and inserted "licensees and permittees" before "shall submit", in second sentence, substituted "holder of a user permit" for "permittee", and inserted at end "The Secretary may inspect the places of storage for explosive materials of an applicant for a limited permit or, at the time of renewal of such permit, a holder of a limited permit, only as provided in subsection (b)(4)."

Pub. L. 107–296, §1112(e)(3), substituted "Attorney General" for "Secretary" wherever appearing.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 107–296, §1122(g), inserted "user" before "permits".

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 107–296, §1122(h), added subsec. (h).

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 107–296, §1124, added subsec. (i).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Amendment by sections 1112(e)(3) and 1124 of Pub. L. 107–296 effective 60 days after Nov. 25, 2002, see section 4 of Pub. L. 107–296, set out as an Effective Date note under section 101 of Title 6, Domestic Security.

Pub. L. 107–296, title XI, §1122(i), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2283, provided that:

"(1) In general.—The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 841 and 842 of this title] shall take effect 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 25, 2002].

"(2) Exception.—Notwithstanding any provision of this Act [see Tables for classification], a license or permit issued under section 843 of title 18, United States Code, before the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 25, 2002], shall remain valid until that license or permit is revoked under section 843(d) or expires, or until a timely application for renewal is acted upon."

Continuation in Business or Operation of Any Person Engaged in Business or Operation on October 15, 1970

Filing of application for a license or permit prior to the effective date of this section as authorizing any person engaged in a business or operation requiring a license or a permit on Oct. 15, 1970 to continue such business or operation pending final action on such application, see section 1105(c) of Pub. L. 91–452, set out as a note under section 841 of this title.

1 So in original. Probably should be "Attorney General".

2 So in original. Probably should be "Attorney General's".
18 U.S.C. § 926C (2024) — Title 18: CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / Chapter 44 / Section 926C: Carrying of concealed firearms by qualified retired law enforcement officers
Carrying of concealed firearms by qualified retired law enforcement officers
Status: in_force

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the law of any State or any political subdivision thereof, an individual who is a qualified retired law enforcement officer and who is carrying the identification required by subsection (d) may carry a concealed firearm that has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce, subject to subsection (b).

(b) This section shall not be construed to supersede or limit the laws of any State that—

(1) permit private persons or entities to prohibit or restrict the possession of concealed firearms on their property; or

(2) prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms on any State or local government property, installation, building, base, or park.

(c) As used in this section, the term "qualified retired law enforcement officer" means an individual who—

(1) separated from service in good standing from service with a public agency as a law enforcement officer;

(2) before such separation, was authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of, or the incarceration of any person for, any violation of law, and had statutory powers of arrest or apprehension under section 807(b) of title 10, United States Code (article 7(b) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice);

(3)(A) before such separation, served as a law enforcement officer for an aggregate of 10 years or more; or

(B) separated from service with such agency, after completing any applicable probationary period of such service, due to a service-connected disability, as determined by such agency;

(4) during the most recent 12-month period, has met, at the expense of the individual, the standards for qualification in firearms training for active law enforcement officers, as determined by the former agency of the individual, the State in which the individual resides or, if the State has not established such standards, either a law enforcement agency within the State in which the individual resides or the standards used by a certified firearms instructor that is qualified to conduct a firearms qualification test for active duty officers within that State;

(5)(A) has not been officially found by a qualified medical professional employed by the agency to be unqualified for reasons relating to mental health and as a result of this finding will not be issued the photographic identification as described in subsection (d)(1); or

(B) has not entered into an agreement with the agency from which the individual is separating from service in which that individual acknowledges he or she is not qualified under this section for reasons relating to mental health and for those reasons will not receive or accept the photographic identification as described in subsection (d)(1);

(6) is not under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or substance; and

(7) is not prohibited by Federal law from receiving a firearm.

(d) The identification required by this subsection is—

(1) a photographic identification issued by the agency from which the individual separated from service as a law enforcement officer that identifies the person as having been employed as a police officer or law enforcement officer and indicates that the individual has, not less recently than one year before the date the individual is carrying the concealed firearm, been tested or otherwise found by the agency to meet the active duty standards for qualification in firearms training as established by the agency to carry a firearm of the same type as the concealed firearm; or

(2)(A) a photographic identification issued by the agency from which the individual separated from service as a law enforcement officer that identifies the person as having been employed as a police officer or law enforcement officer; and

(B) a certification issued by the State in which the individual resides or by a certified firearms instructor that is qualified to conduct a firearms qualification test for active duty officers within that State that indicates that the individual has, not less than 1 year before the date the individual is carrying the concealed firearm, been tested or otherwise found by the State or a certified firearms instructor that is qualified to conduct a firearms qualification test for active duty officers within that State to have met—

(I) the active duty standards for qualification in firearms training, as established by the State, to carry a firearm of the same type as the concealed firearm; or

(II) if the State has not established such standards, standards set by any law enforcement agency within that State to carry a firearm of the same type as the concealed firearm.

(e) As used in this section—

(1) the term "firearm"—

(A) except as provided in this paragraph, has the same meaning as in section 921 of this title;

(B) includes ammunition not expressly prohibited by Federal law or subject to the provisions of the National Firearms Act; and

(C) does not include—

(i) any machinegun (as defined in section 5845 of the National Firearms Act);

(ii) any firearm silencer (as defined in section 921 of this title); and

(iii) any destructive device (as defined in section 921 of this title); and

(2) the term "service with a public agency as a law enforcement officer" includes service as a law enforcement officer of the Amtrak Police Department, service as a law enforcement officer of the Federal Reserve, or service as a law enforcement or police officer of the executive branch of the Federal Government.

(Added Pub. L. 108–277, §3(a), July 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 866; amended Pub. L. 111–272, §2(c), Oct. 12, 2010, 124 Stat. 2855; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, §1089(2), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1971.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The National Firearms Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(1)(B), (C)(i), is classified generally to chapter 53 (§5801 et seq.) of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code. See section 5849 of Title 26. Section 5845 of such Act is classified to section 5845 of Title 26.

Amendments

2013—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 112–239, §1089(2)(A), inserted "or apprehension under section 807(b) of title 10, United States Code (article 7(b) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice)" after "arrest".

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 112–239, §1089(2)(B)(i), substituted "that identifies the person as having been employed as a police officer or law enforcement officer and indicates" for "that indicates".

Subsec. (d)(2)(A). Pub. L. 112–239, §1089(2)(B)(ii), inserted "that identifies the person as having been employed as a police officer or law enforcement officer" after "officer".

2010—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 111–272, §2(c)(1)(A), substituted "separated from service" for "retired" and struck out ", other than for reasons of mental instability" after "officer".

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 111–272, §2(c)(1)(B), substituted "separation" for "retirement".

Subsec. (c)(3)(A). Pub. L. 111–272, §2(c)(1)(C)(i), substituted "separation, served as a law enforcement officer for an aggregate of 10 years or more" for "retirement, was regularly employed as a law enforcement officer for an aggregate of 15 years or more".

Subsec. (c)(3)(B). Pub. L. 111–272, §2(c)(1)(C)(ii), substituted "separated" for "retired".

Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 111–272, §2(c)(1)(D), added par. (4) and struck out former par. (4) which read as follows: "has a nonforfeitable right to benefits under the retirement plan of the agency;".

Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 111–272, §2(c)(1)(E), added par. (5) and struck out former par. (5) which read as follows: "during the most recent 12-month period, has met, at the expense of the individual, the State's standards for training and qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry firearms;".

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 111–272, §2(c)(2)(A), substituted "separated" for "retired" and "to meet the active duty standards for qualification in firearms training as established by the agency to carry a firearm of the same type as the concealed firearm" for "to meet the standards established by the agency for training and qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry a firearm of the same type as the concealed firearm".

Subsec. (d)(2)(A). Pub. L. 111–272, §2(c)(2)(B)(i), substituted "separated" for "retired".

Subsec. (d)(2)(B). Pub. L. 111–272, §2(c)(2)(B)(ii), substituted "or by a certified firearms instructor that is qualified to conduct a firearms qualification test for active duty officers within that State that indicates that the individual has, not less than 1 year before the date the individual is carrying the concealed firearm, been tested or otherwise found by the State or a certified firearms instructor that is qualified to conduct a firearms qualification test for active duty officers within that State to have met—" for "that indicates that the individual has, not less recently than one year before the date the individual is carrying the concealed firearm, been tested or otherwise found by the State to meet the standards established by the State for training and qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry a firearm of the same type as the concealed firearm." and added cls. (I) and (II).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 111–272, §2(c)(3), added subsec. (e) and struck out former subsec. (e) which read as follows: "As used in this section, the term 'firearm' does not include—

"(1) any machinegun (as defined in section 5845 of the National Firearms Act);

"(2) any firearm silencer (as defined in section 921 of this title); and

"(3) a destructive device (as defined in section 921 of this title)."
18 U.S.C. § 3013 (2024) — Title 18: CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / Chapter 201 / Section 3013: Special assessment on convicted persons
Special assessment on convicted persons
Status: in_force

(a) The court shall assess on any person convicted of an offense against the United States—

(1) in the case of an infraction or a misdemeanor—

(A) if the defendant is an individual—

(i) the amount of $5 in the case of an infraction or a class C misdemeanor;

(ii) the amount of $10 in the case of a class B misdemeanor; and

(iii) the amount of $25 in the case of a class A misdemeanor; and

(B) if the defendant is a person other than an individual—

(i) the amount of $25 in the case of an infraction or a class C misdemeanor;

(ii) the amount of $50 in the case of a class B misdemeanor; and

(iii) the amount of $125 in the case of a class A misdemeanor;

(2) in the case of a felony—

(A) the amount of $100 if the defendant is an individual; and

(B) the amount of $400 if the defendant is a person other than an individual.

(b) Such amount so assessed shall be collected in the manner that fines are collected in criminal cases.

(c) The obligation to pay an assessment ceases five years after the date of the judgment. This subsection shall apply to all assessments irrespective of the date of imposition.

(d) For the purposes of this section, an offense under section 13 of this title is an offense against the United States.

(Added Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §1405(a), Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2174; amended Pub. L. 100–185, §3, Dec. 11, 1987, 101 Stat. 1279; Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, §§7082(b), 7085, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4407, 4408; Pub. L. 101–647, title XXXV, §3569, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4928; Pub. L. 104–132, title II, §210, Apr. 24, 1996, 110 Stat. 1240; Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, §601(r)(4), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3502.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1996—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 104–294 struck out "not less than" before "$100" in subpar. (A) and before "$400" in subpar. (B).

Pub. L. 104–132 substituted "not less than $100" for "$50" in subpar. (A) and "not less than $400" for "$200" in subpar. (B).

1990—Subsec. (a)(1)(B). Pub. L. 101–647 substituted "an infraction" for "a infraction" in cl. (i) and a semicolon for a period at end of cl. (iii).

1988—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 100–690, §7085, amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: "in the case of a misdemeanor—

"(A) the amount of $25 if the defendant is an individual; and

"(B) the amount of $100 if the defendant is a person other than an individual; and".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–690, §7082(b), inserted at end "This subsection shall apply to all assessments irrespective of the date of imposition."

1987—Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 100–185 added subsecs. (c) and (d).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 104–132 effective, to extent constitutionally permissible, for sentencing proceedings in cases in which defendant is convicted on or after Apr. 24, 1996, see section 211 of Pub. L. 104–132, set out as a note under section 2248 of this title.

Effective Date

Section effective 30 days after Oct. 12, 1984, see section 1409(a) of Pub. L. 98–473, set out as a note under section 20101 of Title 34, Crime Control and Law Enforcement.
18 U.S.C. § 2382 (2024) — Title 18: CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / Chapter 115 / Section 2382: Misprision of treason
Misprision of treason
Status: in_force

Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States and having knowledge of the commission of any treason against them, conceals and does not, as soon as may be, disclose and make known the same to the President or to some judge of the United States, or to the governor or to some judge or justice of a particular State, is guilty of misprision of treason and shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than seven years, or both.

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 807; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(H), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §3 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, §3, 35 Stat. 1088).

Mandatory punishment provision was rephrased in the alternative.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $1,000".
18 U.S.C. § 506 (2024) — Title 18: CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / Chapter 25 / Section 506: Seals of departments or agencies
Seals of departments or agencies
Status: in_force

(a) Whoever—

(1) falsely makes, forges, counterfeits, mutilates, or alters the seal of any department or agency of the United States, or any facsimile thereof;

(2) knowingly uses, affixes, or impresses any such fraudulently made, forged, counterfeited, mutilated, or altered seal or facsimile thereof to or upon any certificate, instrument, commission, document, or paper of any description; or

(3) with fraudulent intent, possesses, sells, offers for sale, furnishes, offers to furnish, gives away, offers to give away, transports, offers to transport, imports, or offers to import any such seal or facsimile thereof, knowing the same to have been so falsely made, forged, counterfeited, mutilated, or altered,

shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.

(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) or any other provision of law, if a forged, counterfeited, mutilated, or altered seal of a department or agency of the United States, or any facsimile thereof, is—

(1) so forged, counterfeited, mutilated, or altered;

(2) used, affixed, or impressed to or upon any certificate, instrument, commission, document, or paper of any description; or

(3) with fraudulent intent, possessed, sold, offered for sale, furnished, offered to furnish, given away, offered to give away, transported, offered to transport, imported, or offered to import,

with the intent or effect of facilitating an alien's application for, or receipt of, a Federal benefit to which the alien is not entitled, the penalties which may be imposed for each offense under subsection (a) shall be two times the maximum fine, and 3 times the maximum term of imprisonment, or both, that would otherwise be imposed for an offense under subsection (a).

(c) For purposes of this section—

(1) the term "Federal benefit" means—

(A) the issuance of any grant, contract, loan, professional license, or commercial license provided by any agency of the United States or by appropriated funds of the United States; and

(B) any retirement, welfare, Social Security, health (including treatment of an emergency medical condition in accordance with section 1903(v) of the Social Security Act (19 1 U.S.C. 1396b(v))), disability, veterans, public housing, education, supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits,2 or unemployment benefit, or any similar benefit for which payments or assistance are provided by an agency of the United States or by appropriated funds of the United States; and

(2) each instance of forgery, counterfeiting, mutilation, or alteration shall constitute a separate offense under this section.

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 714; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147; Pub. L. 104–208, div. C, title V, §561, Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–681; Pub. L. 110–234, title IV, §4002(b)(1)(E), (2)(M), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1096, 1097; Pub. L. 110–246, §4(a), title IV, §4002(b)(1)(E), (2)(M), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1857, 1858.)

Historical and revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §131 (June 15, 1917, ch. 30, title X, §2, 40 Stat. 228).

Reference to persons causing, procuring, aiding or assisting was omitted as unnecessary as such persons are made principals by section 2 of this title.

In view of definitions of department and agency in section 6 of this title, words "department or agency" in first paragraph were substituted for "executive department, or any bureau, commission, or office".

Provision for 10 years' imprisonment was reduced to 5 years to conform to punishment provision in section 505 of this title, covering an offense of like gravity.

Minor changes in phraseology were also made.

Editorial Notes

Codification

Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by Pub. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.

Amendments

2008—Subsec. (c)(1)(B). Pub. L. 110–246, §4002(b)(1)(E), (2)(M), substituted "supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits" for "food stamps".

1996—Pub. L. 104–208 reenacted section catchline without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:

"Whoever falsely makes, forges, counterfeits, mutilates, or alters the seal of any department or agency of the United States; or

"Whoever knowingly uses, affixes, or impresses any such fraudulently made, forged, counterfeited, mutilated, or altered seal to or upon any certificate, instrument, commission, document, or paper, of any description; or

"Whoever, with fraudulent intent, possesses any such seal, knowing the same to have been so falsely made, forged, counterfeited, mutilated, or altered—

"Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both."

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $5,000".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Amendment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, except as otherwise provided, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of Title 7, Agriculture.

Amendment by section 4002(b)(1)(E), (2)(M) of Pub. L. 110–246 effective Oct. 1, 2008, see section 4407 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 1161 of Title 2, The Congress.

1 So in original. Probably should be "42".

2 So in original. The word "benefits" probably should not appear.
18 U.S.C. § 1713 (2024) — Title 18: CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / Chapter 83 / Section 1713: Issuance of money orders without payment
Issuance of money orders without payment
Status: in_force

Whoever, being an officer or employee of the Postal Service, issues a money order without having previously received the money therefor, shall be fined under this title.

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 781; Pub. L. 91–375, §6(j)(23), Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 779; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(G), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §333 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, §210, 35 Stat. 1129).

Minor change was made in phraseology.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $500".

1970—Pub. L. 91–375 substituted "an officer or employee of the Postal Service" for "a postmaster or other person employed in any branch of the Postal Service".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1970 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 91–375 effective within 1 year after Aug. 12, 1970, on date established therefor by Board of Governors of United States Postal Service and published by it in Federal Register, see section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as an Effective Date note preceding section 101 of Title 39, Postal Service.