Title 18Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-73

§12 United States Postal Service defined

Title 18 › Part PART I— - CRIMES › Chapter CHAPTER 1— - GENERAL PROVISIONS › § 12

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Full Legal Text

Title 18, §12

Crimes and Criminal Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

As used in this title, the term “Postal Service” means the United States Postal Service established under title 39, and every officer and employee of that Service, whether or not such officer or employee has taken the oath of office.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §§ 301, 360 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, §§ 230, 231, 35 Stat. 1134). This section consolidates section 301 and 360 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., with necessary changes in phraseology.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1990—Pub. L. 101–647 substituted “whether or not such officer or employee has taken the oath of office” for “whether he has taken the oath of office”. 1970—Pub. L. 91–375 inserted “United States” before “Postal Service” in section catchline and substituted in text as definition of “Postal Service” the United States Postal Service established under title 39, and every officer and employee of that Service, whether he has taken the oath of office, for prior definition which included the Post Office Department and every employee, thereof, whether or not he has taken the oath of office.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1970 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 91–375 effective within 1 year after Aug. 12, 1970, on date established therefor by the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service and published by it in the Federal Register, see section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as an

Effective Date

note preceding section 101 of Title 39, Postal Service.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

18 U.S.C. § 12

Title 18Crimes and Criminal Procedure

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73