Title 47 — Telegraphs, Telephones, and RadiotelegraphsRelease 119-73

§22 Negligent injury to submarine cables; punishment

Title 47 › Chapter CHAPTER 2— - SUBMARINE CABLES › § 22

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Breaking or damaging an underwater telegraph cable through careless behavior that stops or interferes with telegraph communications is a misdemeanor. If convicted, the person can be jailed for up to 3 months, fined up to $500, or both, as the judge decides.

Full Legal Text

Title 47, §22

Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Any person who by culpable negligence shall break or injure a submarine cable in such manner as to interrupt or embarrass, in whole or in part, telegraphic communication, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction thereof, shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or to a fine not exceeding $500, or to both fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

47 U.S.C. § 22

Title 47 — Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73