Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-73
§2193 Revolt or mutiny of seamen
Title 18 › Part PART I— - CRIMES › Chapter CHAPTER 107— - SEAMEN AND STOWAWAYS › § 2193
Summary
A crew member of a U.S. ship who, on the high seas or other U.S. maritime waters, illegally takes the captain's command by force, trickery, or threats, or removes or gives away the captain’s authority, commits mutiny. They can be fined under federal law, imprisoned for up to 10 years, or both.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §2193
Crimes and Criminal Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whoever, being of the crew of a vessel of the United States, on the high seas, or on any other waters within the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction of the United States, unlawfully and with force, or by fraud, or intimidation, usurps the command of such vessel from the master or other lawful officer in command thereof, or deprives him of authority and command on board, or resists or prevents him in the free and lawful exercise thereof, or transfers such authority and command to another not lawfully entitled thereto, is guilty of a revolt and mutiny, and shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 484 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 293, 35 Stat. 1146). Punishment provision for mandatory fine and imprisonment was rephrased in the alternative so as to vest power in the court to impose either a fine, or imprisonment, or both, in its discretion.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $2,000”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 2193
Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73