Title 18, Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-102
§1860 Bids at Land Sales
Title 18 › PART I — CRIMES › CHAPTER 91 — PUBLIC LANDS › § 1860
Summary
You must not agree with someone not to bid on or buy U.S. government land at a public sale, or try to stop others from bidding or buying by threats, teaming up, or unfair tactics. Violators can be fined up to $1,000, jailed up to one year, or both.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §1860
Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whoever bargains, contracts, or agrees, or attempts to bargain, contract, or agree with another that such other shall not bid upon or purchase any parcel of lands of the United States offered at public sale; or Whoever, by intimidation, combination, or unfair management, hinders, prevents, or attempts to hinder or prevent, any person from bidding upon or purchasing any tract of land so offered for sale— Shall be fined not more than $1,000 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., § 113 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 59, 35 Stat. 1099). Imprisonment provision was reduced from “two years” to “one year,” thus placing the offense in the category of misdemeanors which may be prosecuted on information. The lesser punishment seems adequate. Minor changes were made in phraseology and arrangement.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 1860
Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102