Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-73
§1504 Influencing juror by writing
Title 18 › Part PART I— - CRIMES › Chapter CHAPTER 73— - OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE › § 1504
Summary
Sending written messages to try to influence a grand or trial juror about a case is a federal crime punishable by a fine or up to six months in jail. Asking someone to appear before a grand jury is allowed.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §1504
Crimes and Criminal Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whoever attempts to influence the action or decision of any grand or petit juror of any court of the United States upon any issue or matter pending before such juror, or before the jury of which he is a member, or pertaining to his duties, by writing or sending to him any written communication, in relation to such issue or matter, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the communication of a request to appear before the grand jury.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 243 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 137, 35 Stat. 1113). Last paragraph was added to remove the possibility that a proper request to appear before a grand jury might be construed as a technical violation of this section. Minor changes were made in phraseology.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $1,000” in first par.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 1504
Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73