Title 18, Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-102
§1700 Desertion of Mails
Title 18 › PART I — CRIMES › CHAPTER 83 — POSTAL SERVICE › § 1700
Summary
Anyone in charge of mail who abandons it before delivery can be fined or jailed for up to one year.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §1700
Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whoever, having taken charge of any mail, voluntarily quits or deserts the same before he has delivered it into the post office at the termination of the route, or to some known mail carrier, messenger, agent, or other employee in the Postal Service authorized to receive the same, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 322 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 199, 35 Stat. 1126). Minor changes were made in phraseology.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $500”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 1700
Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102