Source: https://www.justice.gov/jm/jm-9-63000-protection-public-order
Timestamp: 2019-01-19 06:50:37
Document Index: 391841782

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 46502', '§ 1472', '§ 46303', '§ 46502', '§ 32', '§ 1472', '§ 34', '§ 32', '§ 33', '§ 922', '§ 1961', '§ 1959', '§ 3559']

9-63.000 - Protection Of Public Order | JM | Department of Justice
This chapter focuses on the investigation and prosecution of several federal criminal offenses including: aircraft piracy, destruction of aircraft, and firearms offenses. The Counterterrorism Section of the National Security Division has supervisory authority over the offenses in this chapter, unless otherwise noted. See JM 9-130.200 (the Organized Crime and Gang Section has supervisory authority over some offenses in this chapter if they involve organized crime or labor/management disputes).
The Department advocates severe penalties for aircraft hijackers as a deterrent to future acts of piracy. Consequently, United States Attorneys must consult with the Counterterrorism Section of the National Security Division before dismissing, in whole or in part, an indictment, information, or complaint containing such charges or entering into any agreement to forego an air piracy prosecution under 49 U.S.C. § 46502(a) (formerly 49 U.S.C. App. § 1472(i))(aircraft piracy within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States) in favor of a guilty plea to a lesser offense or decides not to prosecute fully an act of air piracy. See also JM 9-16.020 (pleas, generally).
[cited in JM 9-63.181]
An unaggravated weapons violation may not require further criminal investigation and may be referred initially to an appropriate law enforcement agency. An investigation or prosecution under this section involving the unaggravated transportation of a weapon into an airport security area is not subject to the prior approval, consultation, and notification requirements set forthat JM 9-90.020. Nothing in this policy precludes a referral of weapons violations to state or local authorities for investigation and prosecution.
A United States Attorney may also elect to seek a civil penalty pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 46303. In such cases, the matter should be referred to the nearest TSA Regulatory Compliance Field Office responsible for the airport for appropriate civil action. See JM 9-76.110. The civil penalty provision is one of strict liability. See United States v. Gutierrez, 624 F. Supp. 759 (E.D.N.Y. 1985).
[cited in JM 9-63.231]
No United States Attorney may initiate a criminal investigation, commence grand jury proceedings, file an information or complaint, or seek the return of an indictment in matters involving overseas terrorism without the express authorization of the Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division. See JM 9-2.136 Once an approved indictment is returned, any disposition thereof shall be governed by the same criteria as that for a 49 U.S.C. § 46502(a) offense. See JM 9-63.135
[cited in JM 9-16.020; JM 9-63.221]
Authorization shall be obtained from the Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division before an indictment is returned alleging a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 32(b), the Aircraft Sabotage Act. This is consistent with the policy for 49 U.S.C 46502(b) (formerly 49 U.S.C.App. § 1472(n)), which relates to acts of air piracy committed against foreign civil aircraft which are outside the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States. See JM 9-2.136 and JM 9-63.181.
As with the offense of communicating false information regarding aircraft piracy (See JM 9-63.171), if there is no reason to believe that the individual has the motivation or ability to carry out the threat, there is no reason to expend the resources of the Federal government in criminally prosecuting such an individual. If, however, the threat is issued under circumstances where a reasonable person would believe that it would be carried out and the threat involves an action that would likely endanger the safety of the aircraft, such conduct should be prosecuted vigorously.
Section 33 of Title 18 is not intended to "federalize" every attack upon a commercial motor vehicle. Damaging a motor vehicle with the intent of injuring the driver or any passenger on board would violate a number of State laws. It is the intent of the Congress that State authorities continue to play the principal role in this area. See S.Rep. No. 225, 98th Cong, 1 Sess., at 324, reprinted in 1984 U.S. Code Cong. and Adm. News at 3500. Understandings should be reached with State and local authorities reflecting the limited nature of the Federal role. Questions concerning this statute should be directed to the Counterterrorism Section of the National Security Division , except for questions concerning its application in labor-management disputes, which should be directed to the Labor-Management Unit of the Organized Crime and Gang Section. See JM 9-130.200
[cited in JM 9-130.200]
As of September 13, 1994, 18 U.S.C. § 34 carries a viable death penalty for violations of 18 U.S.C. § 32 or § 33 where death results to any person. It is necessary that the Attorney General approve all recommendations by Federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty. See JM 9-10.000 (capital crimes).
See also JM 9-60.1100 (discussion of firearms offenses in the context of domestic violence (18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(8) and (9)).
[updated January 2009] [cited in JM 9-130.200; JM 9-139.020; Criminal Resource Manual 1455]
RICO (18 U.S.C. § 1961): Prosecutors must obtain the prior approval of the Criminal Division, Organized Crime and Gang Section (OCGS). See JM 9-110.320.
Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. § 1959): Prosecutors must obtain the prior approval of the Criminal Division, Organized Crime and Gang Section (OCGS). See JM 9-110.801.
"Three Strikes" (18 U.S.C. § 3559(c)): When filing a Three Strikes case, send an Urgent Report to the attention of the Director of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA). The Gang Unit is available to assist in handling the issues arising out of the Three Strikes provision. See JM 9-60.020 for additional information about "Three Strikes."
In a June 19, 1995 memorandum from the Assistant Attorney General, changes were made to the JM relating to notification, consultation and approval requirements. The changes which may arise in the gang context include:
Criminal Division approval to proceed against juvenile as an adult is no longer required. In place of Department approval, notification to Criminal Division is required prior to filing any motion to transfer to adult proceeding (notify the Gang Unit attorneys. See JM 9-8.000 et seq. (Juveniles)).
A number of statutes used in gang prosecutions require compliance with the Department's "Death Penalty Protocol," which was established on January 27, 1995. In all cases for which death is a possible penalty (regardless of whether a district intends to seek the death penalty), a prosecution memorandum and death penalty evaluation must be submitted. See JM 9-10.000.
See also JM 9-8.000 (Juveniles).