-CITE-

18 USC CHAPTER 81 - PIRACY AND PRIVATEERING 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

PART I - CRIMES

CHAPTER 81 - PIRACY AND PRIVATEERING

.

-HEAD-

CHAPTER 81 - PIRACY AND PRIVATEERING

-MISC1-

Sec.

1651. Piracy under law of nations.

1652. Citizens as pirates.

1653. Aliens as pirates.

1654. Arming or serving on privateers.

1655. Assault on commander as piracy.

1656. Conversion or surrender of vessel.

1657. Corruption of seamen and confederating with pirates.

1658. Plunder of distressed vessel.

1659. Attack to plunder vessel.

1660. Receipt of pirate property.

1661. Robbery ashore.

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

In the light of far-reaching developments in the field of

international law and foreign relations, the law of piracy is

deemed to require a fundamental reconsideration and complete

restatement, perhaps resulting in drastic changes by way of

modification and expansion. Such a task may be regarded as beyond

the scope of this project. The present revision is, therefore,

confined to the making of some obvious and patent corrections. It

is recommended, however, that at some opportune time in the near

future, the subject of piracy be entirely reconsidered and the law

bearing on it modified and restated in accordance with the needs of

the times.

-SECREF-

CHAPTER REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS

This chapter is referred to in section 2516 of this title.

-CITE-

18 USC Sec. 1651 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

PART I - CRIMES

CHAPTER 81 - PIRACY AND PRIVATEERING

-HEAD-

Sec. 1651. Piracy under law of nations

-STATUTE-

Whoever, on the high seas, commits the crime of piracy as defined

by the law of nations, and is afterwards brought into or found in

the United States, shall be imprisoned for life.

-SOURCE-

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 774.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Sec. 481 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch.

321, Sec. 290, 35 Stat. 1145).

-CITE-

18 USC Sec. 1652 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

PART I - CRIMES

CHAPTER 81 - PIRACY AND PRIVATEERING

-HEAD-

Sec. 1652. Citizens as pirates

-STATUTE-

Whoever, being a citizen of the United States, commits any murder

or robbery, or any act of hostility against the United States, or

against any citizen thereof, on the high seas, under color of any

commission from any foreign prince, or state, or on pretense of

authority from any person, is a pirate, and shall be imprisoned for

life.

-SOURCE-

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 774.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Sec. 495 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch.

321, Sec. 304, 35 Stat. 1147).

Words ''Notwithstanding the pretense of such authority,'' were

omitted as surplusage.

-CITE-

18 USC Sec. 1653 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

PART I - CRIMES

CHAPTER 81 - PIRACY AND PRIVATEERING

-HEAD-

Sec. 1653. Aliens as pirates

-STATUTE-

Whoever, being a citizen or subject of any foreign state, is

found and taken on the sea making war upon the United States, or

cruising against the vessels and property thereof, or of the

citizens of the same, contrary to the provisions of any treaty

existing between the United States and the state of which the

offender is a citizen or subject, when by such treaty such acts are

declared to be piracy, is a pirate, and shall be imprisoned for

life.

-SOURCE-

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 774.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Sec. 496 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch.

321, Sec. 305, 35 Stat. 1147.)

Minor change was made in phraseology.

-CITE-

18 USC Sec. 1654 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

PART I - CRIMES

CHAPTER 81 - PIRACY AND PRIVATEERING

-HEAD-

Sec. 1654. Arming or serving on privateers

-STATUTE-

Whoever, being a citizen of the United States, without the limits

thereof, fits out and arms, or attempts to fit out and arm or is

concerned in furnishing, fitting out, or arming any private vessel

of war or privateer, with intent that such vessel shall be employed

to cruise or commit hostilities upon the citizens of the United

States or their property; or

Whoever takes the command of or enters on board of any such

vessel with such intent; or

Whoever purchases any interest in any such vessel with a view to

share in the profits thereof -

Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten

years, or both.

-SOURCE-

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 774; Pub. L. 103-322, title

XXXIII, Sec. 330016(1)(L), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Sec. 494 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch.

321, Sec. 303, 35 Stat. 1147).

Reference to persons procuring or aiding was omitted as

unnecessary in view of definition of ''principal'' in section 2 of

this title.

Mandatory punishment provisions were rephrased in the

alternative.

The last sentence relating to venue was omitted as unnecessary in

view of the general provision to the same effect in section 3238 of

this title.

Minor changes were made in phraseology and arrangement.

AMENDMENTS

1994 - Pub. L. 103-322 substituted ''fined under this title'' for

''fined not more than $10,000'' in last par.

-CITE-

18 USC Sec. 1655 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

PART I - CRIMES

CHAPTER 81 - PIRACY AND PRIVATEERING

-HEAD-

Sec. 1655. Assault on commander as piracy

-STATUTE-

Whoever, being a seaman, lays violent hands upon his commander,

to hinder and prevent his fighting in defense of his vessel or the

goods intrusted to him, is a pirate, and shall be imprisoned for

life.

-SOURCE-

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 774.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Sec. 485 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch.

321, Sec. 294, 35 Stat. 1146).

A minor verbal change was made.

-CITE-

18 USC Sec. 1656 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

PART I - CRIMES

CHAPTER 81 - PIRACY AND PRIVATEERING

-HEAD-

Sec. 1656. Conversion or surrender of vessel

-STATUTE-

Whoever, being a captain or other officer or mariner of a vessel

upon the high seas or on any other waters within the admiralty and

maritime jurisdiction of the United States, piratically or

feloniously runs away with such vessel, or with any goods or

merchandise thereof, to the value of $50 or over; or

Whoever yields up such vessel voluntarily to any pirate -

Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten

years, or both.

-SOURCE-

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 774; Pub. L. 103-322, title

XXXIII, Sec. 330016(1)(L), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Sec. 497 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch.

321, Sec. 306, 35 Stat. 1148).

Minor changes were made in phraseology.

AMENDMENTS

1994 - Pub. L. 103-322 substituted ''fined under this title'' for

''fined not more than $10,000'' in last par.

-CITE-

18 USC Sec. 1657 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

PART I - CRIMES

CHAPTER 81 - PIRACY AND PRIVATEERING

-HEAD-

Sec. 1657. Corruption of seamen and confederating with pirates

-STATUTE-

Whoever attempts to corrupt any commander, master, officer, or

mariner to yield up or to run away with any vessel, or any goods,

wares, or merchandise, or to turn pirate or to go over to or

confederate with pirates, or in any wise to trade with any pirate,

knowing him to be such; or

Whoever furnishes such pirate with any ammunition, stores, or

provisions of any kind; or

Whoever fits out any vessel knowingly and, with a design to trade

with, supply, or correspond with any pirate or robber upon the

seas; or

Whoever consults, combines, confederates, or corresponds with any

pirate or robber upon the seas, knowing him to be guilty of any

piracy or robbery; or

Whoever, being a seaman, confines the master of any vessel -

Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three

years, or both.

-SOURCE-

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 775; Pub. L. 101-647, title XXV,

Sec. 2527(b), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4877; Pub. L. 103-322, title

XXXIII, Sec. 330016(1)(H), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Sec. 498 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch.

321, Sec. 307, 35 Stat. 1148).

Mandatory punishment provisions were rephrased in the

alternative.

Minor changes were made in phraseology.

AMENDMENTS

1994 - Pub. L. 103-322 substituted ''fined under this title'' for

''fined not more than $1,000'' in last par.

1990 - Pub. L. 101-647, which directed insertion of ''section 11,

12, or 13 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act'' after

''consideration of any action brought under'', could not be

executed because the words ''consideration of any action brought

under'' did not appear.

-CITE-

18 USC Sec. 1658 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

PART I - CRIMES

CHAPTER 81 - PIRACY AND PRIVATEERING

-HEAD-

Sec. 1658. Plunder of distressed vessel

-STATUTE-

(a) Whoever plunders, steals, or destroys any money, goods,

merchandise, or other effects from or belonging to any vessel in

distress, or wrecked, lost, stranded, or cast away, upon the sea,

or upon any reef, shoal, bank, or rocks of the sea, or in any other

place within the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction of the United

States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than

ten years, or both.

(b) Whoever willfully obstructs the escape of any person

endeavoring to save his life from such vessel, or the wreck

thereof; or

Whoever holds out or shows any false light, or extinguishes any

true light, with intent to bring any vessel sailing upon the sea

into danger or distress or shipwreck -

Shall be imprisoned not less than ten years and may be imprisoned

for life.

-SOURCE-

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 775; Pub. L. 103-322, title

XXXIII, Sec. 330016(1)(K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Sec. 488 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch.

321, Sec. 297, 35 Stat. 1146).

Mandatory punishment provision in subsection (a) was rephrased in

the alternative.

Minor changes were made in phraseology.

AMENDMENTS

1994 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103-322 substituted ''fined under

this title'' for ''fined not more than $5,000''.

-CITE-

18 USC Sec. 1659 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

PART I - CRIMES

CHAPTER 81 - PIRACY AND PRIVATEERING

-HEAD-

Sec. 1659. Attack to plunder vessel

-STATUTE-

Whoever, upon the high seas or other waters within the admiralty

and maritime jurisdiction of the United States, by surprise or open

force, maliciously attacks or sets upon any vessel belonging to

another, with an intent unlawfully to plunder the same, or to

despoil any owner thereof of any moneys, goods, or merchandise

laden on board thereof, shall be fined under this title or

imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.

-SOURCE-

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 775; Pub. L. 103-322, title

XXXIII, Sec. 330016(1)(K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Sec. 489 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch.

321, Sec. 298, 35 Stat. 1147).

Mandatory punishment provisions were rephrased in the

alternative.

AMENDMENTS

1994 - Pub. L. 103-322 substituted ''fined under this title'' for

''fined not more than $5,000''.

-CITE-

18 USC Sec. 1660 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

PART I - CRIMES

CHAPTER 81 - PIRACY AND PRIVATEERING

-HEAD-

Sec. 1660. Receipt of pirate property

-STATUTE-

Whoever, without lawful authority, receives or takes into custody

any vessel, goods, or other property, feloniously taken by any

robber or pirate against the laws of the United States, knowing the

same to have been feloniously taken, shall be imprisoned not more

than ten years.

-SOURCE-

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 775.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Sec. 552 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch.

321, Sec. 334, 35 Stat. 1152).

Provision relating to concealment of pirate and words ''is an

accessory after the fact to such robbery or piracy'' were omitted

in view of definitive section 3 of this title.

-CITE-

18 USC Sec. 1661 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

PART I - CRIMES

CHAPTER 81 - PIRACY AND PRIVATEERING

-HEAD-

Sec. 1661. Robbery ashore

-STATUTE-

Whoever, being engaged in any piratical cruise or enterprise, or

being of the crew of any piratical vessel, lands from such vessel

and commits robbery on shore, is a pirate, and shall be imprisoned

for life.

-SOURCE-

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 775.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Sec. 493 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch.

321, Sec. 302, 35 Stat. 1147).

Transposition of several words was made.

-CITE-