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Title 21, Food and DrugsRelease 119-110

§882 Injunctions

Title 21 › CHAPTER 13 — DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND CONTROL › SUBCHAPTER I — CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT › Part E — Administrative and Enforcement Provisions › § 882

Last updated Sep 23, 2026|Official source

Summary

Federal district courts and courts in U.S. territories can order people or sites to stop breaking the rules in this part of the law. If someone is accused of breaking that court order, they can ask for a jury trial under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. If a State thinks its residents are being harmed by an action that breaks sections 823(g), 829(e), or 831, the State may sue in federal district court. The State can ask the court to stop the bad conduct, make the person comply, get money (including penalties under section 842(b)), or other relief the court finds proper. Before filing, the State must give a copy of the complaint to the Attorney General and the U.S. Attorney for the district, or, if that is not possible, serve them the same day the suit is filed. The United States may join the case, speak on issues, and appeal. Service must follow Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(i)(1). State attorneys general may use their usual state powers to investigate and gather evidence. The case can be filed where the defendant is found, lives, or does business, or wherever section 1391 allows. Individuals do not get a private right to sue here. The State cannot sue the United States, an Indian Tribe lawfully carrying out a contract or compact under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.), or federal or tribal employees acting within their official duties.

Full Legal Text

Title 21, §882

Food and Drugs, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Jurisdiction
The district courts of the United States and all courts exercising general jurisdiction in the territories and possessions of the United States shall have jurisdiction in proceedings in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to enjoin violations of this subchapter.
(b)Jury trial
In case of an alleged violation of an injunction or restraining order issued under this section, trial shall, upon demand of the accused, be by a jury in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
(c)State cause of action pertaining to online pharmacies
(1)In general
In any case in which the State has reason to believe that an interest of the residents of that State has been or is being threatened or adversely affected by the action of a person, entity, or Internet site that violates the provisions of section 823(g), 829(e), or 831 of this title, the State may bring a civil action on behalf of such residents in a district court of the United States with appropriate jurisdiction—
(A)to enjoin the conduct which violates this section;
(B)to enforce compliance with this section;
(C)to obtain damages, restitution, or other compensation, including civil penalties under section 842(b) of this title; and
(D)to obtain such other legal or equitable relief as the court may find appropriate.
(2)Service; intervention
(A)Prior to filing a complaint under paragraph (1), the State shall serve a copy of the complaint upon the Attorney General and upon the United States Attorney for the judicial district in which the complaint is to be filed. In any case where such prior service is not feasible, the State shall serve the complaint on the Attorney General and the appropriate United States Attorney on the same day that the State’s complaint is filed in Federal district court of the United States. Such proceedings shall be independent of, and not in lieu of, criminal prosecutions or any other proceedings under this subchapter or any other laws of the United States.
(B)Upon receiving notice respecting a civil action pursuant to this section, the United States shall have the right to intervene in such action and, upon so intervening, to be heard on all matters arising therein, and to file petitions for appeal.
(C)Service of a State’s complaint on the United States as required in this paragraph shall be made in accord with the requirements of rule 4(i)(1) of the Federal Rule of Civil Procedure.
(3)Powers conferred by State law
For purposes of bringing any civil action under paragraph (1), nothing in this chapter shall prevent an attorney general of a State from exercising the powers conferred on the attorney general of a State by the laws of such State to conduct investigations or to administer oaths or affirmations or to compel the attendance of witnesses of or the production of documentary or other evidence.
(4)Venue
Any civil action brought under paragraph (1) in a district court of the United States may be brought in the district in which the defendant is found, is an inhabitant, or transacts business or wherever venue is proper under section 1391 of title 28. Process in such action may be served in any district in which the defendant is an inhabitant or in which the defendant may be found.
(5)No private right of action
No private right of action is created under this subsection.
(6)Limitation
No civil action may be brought under paragraph (1) against—
(A)the United States;
(B)an Indian Tribe or tribal organization, to the extent such tribe or tribal organization is lawfully carrying out a contract or compact under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act [25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.]; or
(C)any employee of the United States or such Indian tribe or tribal organization, provided such agent or employee is acting in the usual course of business or employment, and within the scope of the official duties of such agent or employee therewith.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, referred to in subsecs. (a), (b), and (c)(2)(C), are set out in the Appendix to Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure. This subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (c)(2)(A), was in the original “this title”, meaning title II of Pub. L. 91–513, Oct. 27, 1970, 84 Stat. 1242, and is popularly known as the “Controlled Substances Act”. For complete classification of title II to the Code, see second paragraph of

Short Title

note set out under section 801 of this title and Tables. This chapter, referred to in subsec. (c)(3), was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 91–513, Oct. 27, 1970, 84 Stat. 1236. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 801 of this title and Tables. The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(6)(B), is Pub. L. 93–638, Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2203, which is classified principally to chapter 46 (§ 5301 et seq.) of Title 25, Indians. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 5301 of Title 25 and Tables.

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 117–215 substituted “823(g)” for “823(f)” in introductory provisions. 2008—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 110–425 added subsec. (c).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 2008 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 110–425 effective 180 days after Oct. 15, 2008, except as otherwise provided, see section 3(j) of Pub. L. 110–425, set out as a note under section 802 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

21 U.S.C. § 882

Title 21, Food and Drugs

Last Updated

Sep 23, 2026

Release point: 119-110