16 U.S.C. § 559c: Powers of officers and…

Summary

Up to 1,000 Forest Service special agents and law enforcement officers, if the Secretary picks them and they get special training, have extra law-enforcement powers when doing their jobs. They can carry guns and enforce drug laws, including marijuana and other controlled substances, on National Forest land and outside those lands when the crimes started on or affect the National Forest or when suspects flee. They can arrest people (with a warrant, or without one if they have probable cause or see the crime), serve warrants and other legal papers, and search or seize people, places, or vehicles with or without a warrant as allowed by federal law.

Title 16, §559c

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For the purposes of sections 559b to 559f of this title, if specifically designated by the Secretary and specially trained, not to exceed 1,000 special agents and law enforcement officers of the Forest Service when in the performance of their duties shall have authority to—

(1)carry firearms;

(2)conduct, within the exterior boundaries of the National Forest System, investigations of violations of and enforce section 841 of title 21 and other criminal violations relating to marijuana and other controlled substances that are manufactured, distributed, or dispensed on National Forest System lands and to conduct such investigations and enforcement of such laws outside the exterior boundaries of the National Forest System for offenses committed within the National Forest System or which affect the administration of the National Forest System (including the pursuit of persons suspected of such offenses who flee the National Forest System to avoid arrest);

(3)make arrests with a warrant or process for misdemeanor violations, or without a warrant or process for violations of such misdemeanors that any such officer or employee has probable cause to believe are being committed in his presence or view, or for a felony with a warrant or without a warrant if he has probable cause to believe that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing such felony, for offenses committed within the National Forest System or which affect the administration of the National Forest System;;

(4)serve warrants and other process issued by a court or officer of competent jurisdiction;

(5)search with or without warrant or process any person, place, or conveyance according to Federal law or rule of law; and

(6)seize with or without warrant or process any evidentiary item according to Federal law or rule of law.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1988—Pub. L. 100–690, § 6254(b)(1), in introductory provision substituted “1,000 special agents and law

Enforcement

officers” for “500 officers and employees”, and struck out “within the boundaries of the National Forest System” after “shall have authority”. Par. (2). Pub. L. 100–690, § 6254(b)(2), inserted “, within the exterior boundaries of the National Forest System,” after “conduct” and “and to conduct such investigations and

Enforcement

of such laws outside the exterior boundaries of the National Forest System for offenses committed within the National Forest System or which affect the administration of the National Forest System (including the pursuit of persons suspected of such offenses who flee the National Forest System to avoid arrest)” before semicolon at end. Par. (3). Pub. L. 100–690, § 6254(b)(3), inserted “, for offenses committed within the National Forest System or which affect the administration of the National Forest System;” before semicolon at end.

§559c Powers of Officers and Employees of Forest Service

Summary

Title 16, §559c

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Enforcement

Enforcement

Citations & Metadata