Title 18, Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-102
§1519 Destruction, Alteration, or Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations and Bankruptcy
Title 18 › PART I — CRIMES › CHAPTER 73 — OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE › § 1519
Summary
Deliberately changing, hiding, or faking records or objects to impede, obstruct, or influence federal investigations or bankruptcy cases (or in connection with one) can bring fines and up to 20 years' prison.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §1519
Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whoever knowingly alters, destroys, mutilates, conceals, covers up, falsifies, or makes a false entry in any record, document, or tangible object with the intent to impede, obstruct, or influence the investigation or proper administration of any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States or any case filed under title 11, or in relation to or contemplation of any such matter or case, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 1519
Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102