§ 1703. Delay or destruction of mail or newspapers
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/usc/title-18/section-1703A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
(a)Whoever, being a Postal Service officer or employee, unlawfully secretes, destroys, detains, delays, or opens any letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail entrusted to him or which shall come into his possession, and which was intended to be conveyed by mail, or carried or delivered by any carrier or other employee of the Postal Service, or forwarded through or delivered from any post office or station thereof established by authority of the Postmaster General or the Postal Service, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
(b)Whoever, without authority, opens, or destroys any mail or package of newspapers not directed to him, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 778; May 24, 1949, ch. 139, § 37, 63 Stat. 95; Pub. L. 91–375, § 6(j)(16), Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 778; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(B), (G), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2146, 2147.)
Historical and Revision Notes
1948 Act
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §§ 318, 319 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, §§ 195, 196, 35 Stat. 1125, 1126).
Section consolidated sections 318 and 319 of said title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed. The embezzlement and theft provisions of each were incorporated in sections 1709 and 1710 of this title.
Minor changes were made in phraseology.
1949 Act
This section [section 37] corrects typographical errors in section 1703 of title 18, U.S.C.
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U.S. Code
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15 references not yet in our index
- June 25, 1948, ch. 645
- 62 Stat. 778
- May 24, 1949, ch. 139, § 37
- 63 Stat. 95
- Pub. L. 91–375, § 6(j)(16)
- 84 Stat. 778
- Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(B)
- 108 Stat. 2146
- Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321
- 35 Stat. 1125
- Pub. L. 103–322
- Pub. L. 91–375, § 6(j)(16)(A)
- Pub. L. 91–375, § 6(j)(16)(B)
- Pub. L. 91–375
- section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375
Citation graph
cites case law
§ 1703
Delay or destruction of mail or newspapers
Fed. Reg.×3
U.S.C.×3
ActJune 25, 1948, ch. 645
Stat.62 Stat. 778
ActMay 24, 1949, ch. 139, § 37
Stat.63 Stat. 95
Pub. L.Pub. L. 91–375, § 6(j)(16)
Cites 17 · showing 7Cited by 6 across 2 sources