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Code · U.S. Code · Title 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE · CHAPTER 83— POSTAL SERVICE · § 1717

§ 1717. Letters and writings as nonmailable

479 words·~2 min read·/usc/title-18/section-1717

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(a)Every letter, writing, circular, postal card, picture, print, engraving, photograph, newspaper, pamphlet, book, or other publication, matter or thing, in violation of sections 499, 506, 793, 794, 915, 954, 956, 957, 960, 964, 1017, 1542, 1543, 1544 or 2388 of this title or which contains any matter advocating or urging treason, insurrection, or forcible resistance to any law of the United States is nonmailable and shall not be conveyed in the mails or delivered from any post office or by any letter carrier.
(b)Whoever uses or attempts to use the mails or Postal Service for the transmission of any matter declared by this section to be nonmailable, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years or both.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 782; Pub. L. 86–682, § 12(b), Sept. 2, 1960, 74 Stat. 708; Pub. L. 91–375, § 6(j)(27), Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 780; Pub. L. 101–647, title XXXV, § 3552(a), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4926; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §§ 343, 344, 345, 346 (June 15, 1917, ch. 30, title XII, §§ 1–3, title XIII, § 1, 40 Stat. 230, 231; Mar. 28, 1940, ch. 72, § 9, 54 Stat. 80).
Section consolidates said sections 343–345 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed. The provision as to opening letters was incorporated in paragraph (c).
Venue provisions in said section 345 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., were omitted as covered by section 3237 of this title.
Section 346 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., defining “United States” was omitted. It is incorporated, however, in section 5 of this title.
References in text to other sections do not include definitive sections. Only those susceptible of violation are cited.
Mandatory punishment provision was rephrased in the alternative.
Minor changes were made in arrangement, translation, and phraseology.
Connections4 cite this · traces to 3
22 references not yet in our index
  • June 25, 1948, ch. 645
  • 62 Stat. 782
  • Pub. L. 86–682, § 12(b)
  • 74 Stat. 708
  • Pub. L. 91–375, § 6(j)(27)
  • 84 Stat. 780
  • Pub. L. 101–647, title XXXV, § 3552(a)
  • 104 Stat. 4926
  • Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(K)
  • 108 Stat. 2147
  • June 15, 1917, ch. 30
  • 40 Stat. 230
  • Mar. 28, 1940, ch. 72, § 9
  • 54 Stat. 80
  • section 345 of title 18
  • Section 346 of title 18
  • Pub. L. 103–322
  • Pub. L. 101–647
  • Pub. L. 91–375
  • Pub. L. 86–682
  • section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375
  • section 11 of Pub. L. 86–682
Citation graph
cites case law
§ 1717
Letters and writings as nonmailable
U.S.C.×4
ActJune 25, 1948, ch. 645
Stat.62 Stat. 782
Pub. L.Pub. L. 86–682, § 12(b)
Stat.74 Stat. 708
Pub. L.Pub. L. 91–375, § 6(j)(27)
Cites 25 · showing 8Cited by 4 across 1 source
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