TO CREATE THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF MAIL THEFT; AND TO CREATE THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF THEFT OR UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION OF A MAIL RECEPTACLE KEY OR LOCK.

New mail crimes and victim repayment

Arkansas law creates two crimes: mail theft and theft or unauthorized copying of postal keys or locks. Mail includes letters, postcards, parcels, envelopes, packages, bags, and other sealed items addressed to another person, including their contents. Postal services include the United States Postal Service, its contractors, and commercial couriers. Mail theft covers knowingly taking, controlling, or transferring another person's mail without permission, intending to deprive them of it. That rule covers mail in postal mailboxes, other mail receptacles, postal offices or vehicles, or with a postal service. It also covers getting another person's mail through deception or threats with the same intent. Selling, receiving, possessing, transferring, buying, or hiding unlawfully obtained mail is also covered when the person knows or has reason to know it was obtained unlawfully. The second crime covers stealing a postal-service-approved key or lock for a mail receptacle. It also covers knowingly making, forging, or counterfeiting such a key, or possessing such a key or lock, for unlawful use, sale, or disposal. For either crime, a first offense is a Class D felony; a second or later offense is a Class A felony. Courts must also order full repayment to victims and anyone else who suffers financial loss from the crime. Either crime can be prosecuted where it occurred or where a direct or indirect victim lives or has a business.