§ 1705. Destruction of letter boxes or mail
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/usc/title-18/section-1705A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Whoever willfully or maliciously injures, tears down or destroys any letter box or other receptacle intended or used for the receipt or delivery of mail on any mail route, or breaks open the same or willfully or maliciously injures, defaces or destroys any mail deposited therein, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 779; May 24, 1949, ch. 139, § 38, 63 Stat. 95; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(H), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147; Pub. L. 107–273, div. B, title III, § 3002(a)(2), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1805.)
Historical and Revision Notes
1948 Act
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 321 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 198, 35 Stat. 1126; May 18, 1916, ch. 126, § 10, 39 Stat. 162; July 28, 1916, ch. 261, § 1, 39 Stat. 418; May 7, 1934, ch. 220, § 1, 48 Stat. 667).
Words “or shall willfully take or steal such mail from or out of such letter box or other receptacle” were omitted as covered by section 1702 of this title. Prosecutions for theft of mail matter are invariably made under that section whereas this section is used as basis for prosecutions for malicious mischief to mail boxes or receptacles. By Postal Regulations (1928), section 700, paragraph 2, an ordinary letter box is within this section and also section 1702 of this title. Huebner v. United States (C.C.A. 1928, 28 F. 2d 929).
Reference to persons assisting or aiding was omitted. Such persons are principals under definitive section 2 of this title.
Minor changes were made in phraseology.
1949 Act
As amended by this section [section 38] of the bill, section 1705 of title 18, U.S.C., is brought more closely into conformity with the original statute from which it was derived by eliminating an inadvertent reference to a “conveyance” which was not in the original statute. (See S. Rept. No. 133, 81st Cong.)
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U.S. Code
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Traces to 3 documents
18 references not yet in our index
- June 25, 1948, ch. 645
- 62 Stat. 779
- May 24, 1949, ch. 139, § 38
- 63 Stat. 95
- Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(H)
- 108 Stat. 2147
- Pub. L. 107–273, div. B, title III, § 3002(a)(2)
- 116 Stat. 1805
- Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 198
- 35 Stat. 1126
- May 18, 1916, ch. 126, § 10
- 39 Stat. 162
- July 28, 1916, ch. 261, § 1
- 39 Stat. 418
- May 7, 1934, ch. 220, § 1
- 48 Stat. 667
- Pub. L. 107–273
- Pub. L. 103–322
Citation graph
cites case law
§ 1705
Destruction of letter boxes or mail
U.S.C.×3
Fed. Reg.×2
ActJune 25, 1948, ch. 645
Stat.62 Stat. 779
ActMay 24, 1949, ch. 139, § 38
Stat.63 Stat. 95
Pub. L.Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(H)
Cites 21 · showing 8Cited by 5 across 2 sources