Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-73
§1728 Weight of mail increased fraudulently
Title 18 › Part PART I— - CRIMES › Chapter CHAPTER 83— - POSTAL SERVICE › § 1728
Summary
Putting extra items into the mail during the official weighing time to make it heavier, on purpose to make the railroad mail carrier who handles that route get more pay, is a crime. A person who does this can be fined under federal law, jailed for up to five years, or both.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §1728
Crimes and Criminal Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whoever places any matter in the mails during the regular weighing period, for the purpose of increasing the weight of the mail, with intent to cause an increase in the compensation of the railroad mail carrier over whose route such mail may pass, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 358 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 228, 35 Stat. 1134). Reference to persons causing or procuring was omitted as unnecessary in view of definition of “principal” in section 2 of this title. Minor verbal changes were made.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $20,000”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 1728
Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73