18 U.S.C. § 291: Purchase of claims for fees…

Summary

Prohibits certain federal officials from buying any claim against the United States that pays fees, mileage, or expenses to witnesses, jurors, deputy marshals, or other court officers for less than the full amount owed. Judges, clerks, federal prosecutors, marshals, magistrate judges, and other U.S. employees who do this will be fined under federal law.

Title 18, §291

Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Whoever, being a judge, clerk, or deputy clerk of any court of the United States or a Territory or Possession thereof, or a United States district attorney, assistant attorney, marshal, deputy marshal, magistrate judge, or other person holding any office or employment, or position of trust or profit under the United States, directly or indirectly purchases at less than the full face value thereof, any claim against the United States for the fee, mileage, or expenses of any witness, juror, deputy marshal, or any other officer of such court, shall be fined under this title.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 193 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 104, 35 Stat. 1107). Word “Possession” was inserted to clarify scope of section. Minor changes were made in phraseology.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $1,000”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Words “magistrate judge” substituted for “magistrate” in text pursuant to section 321 of Pub. L. 101–650, set out as a note under section 631 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure. Previously, “magistrate” substituted for “commissioner” pursuant to Pub. L. 90–578. See chapter 43 (§ 631 et seq.) of Title 28.

§291 Purchase of Claims for Fees by Court Officials