Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-73
§1860 Bids at land sales
Title 18 › Part PART I— - CRIMES › Chapter CHAPTER 91— - PUBLIC LANDS › § 1860
Summary
Outlaws stopping or trying to stop anyone from bidding on U.S. land for sale by making deals, threats, or using unfair tactics; penalty up to $1,000 fine, up to 1-year jail, or both.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §1860
Crimes and Criminal Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whoever bargains, contracts, or agrees, or attempts to bargain, contract, or agree with another that such other shall not bid upon or purchase any parcel of lands of the United States offered at public sale; or Whoever, by intimidation, combination, or unfair management, hinders, prevents, or attempts to hinder or prevent, any person from bidding upon or purchasing any tract of land so offered for sale— Shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 113 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 59, 35 Stat. 1099). Imprisonment provision was reduced from “two years” to “one year,” thus placing the offense in the category of misdemeanors which may be prosecuted on information. The lesser punishment seems adequate. Minor changes were made in phraseology and arrangement.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 1860
Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73