Title 18, Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-102
§1701 Obstruction of Mails Generally
Title 18 › PART I — CRIMES › CHAPTER 83 — POSTAL SERVICE › § 1701
Summary
Intentionally blocking mail or mail carriers risks a fine, up to six months' jail, or both.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §1701
Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whoever knowingly and willfully obstructs or retards the passage of the mail, or any carrier or conveyance carrying the mail, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §§ 324, 325 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, §§ 201, 202, 35 Stat. 1127). section 324 and 325 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., were consolidated with changes of phraseology necessary to effect consolidation. Words “carriage, horse, driver or”, “car, steamboat”, and “or vessel” were omitted as covered by “any carrier or conveyance”. The punishment provision is derived from said section 324 rather than from section 325 which provided only a fine of not more than $100 and related only to ferrymen.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $100”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 1701
Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102