§2194 — Title 18 Crimes and Criminal Procedure | U.S. Code

Summary

Makes it a crime to force, threaten, trick, or take advantage of someone who is drunk or on drugs to get them to go aboard certain ships to work or to sign a contract to work. It covers ships that trade between states, trade with other countries, and U.S. vessels on the high seas or on U.S. navigable waters. Trying to do any of these things, or knowingly keeping someone aboard after getting them there, is also illegal. The person can be fined under federal law, jailed for up to one year, or both.

Title 18, §2194

Crimes and Criminal Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Whoever, with intent that any person shall perform service or labor of any kind on board of any vessel engaged in trade and commerce among the several States or with foreign nations, or on board of any vessel of the United States engaged in navigating the high seas or any navigable water of the United States, procures or induces, or attempts to procure or induce, another, by force or threats or by representations which he knows or believes to be untrue, or while the person so procured or induced is intoxicated or under the influence of any drug, to go on board of any such vessel, or to sign or in anywise enter into any agreement to go on board of any such vessel to perform service or labor thereon; or Whoever knowingly detains on board of any such vessel any person so procured or induced to go on board, or to enter into any agreement to go on board, by any means herein defined— Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 144 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 82, 35 Stat. 1103). Reference to persons aiding or abetting was omitted as unnecessary as such persons are made principals by section 2 of this title. Minor changes were made in phraseology and arrangement.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1996—Pub. L. 104–294 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $1,000” in last par.

§2194 Shanghaiing sailors