§461 Enforcement by Courts; Employment of Land or Naval Forces

Summary

District courts must hear complaints about captures that happen in U.S. waters or within one marine league of the shore. They also handle cases where a ship is equipped or armed for war, its fighting force is increased, a military expedition is started, a vessel is captured under U.S. protection, or someone holding a foreign armed ship ignores a U.S. court order — when those acts break this subchapter and sections 958 to 962 of title 18. The President, or someone he authorizes, may use U.S. land forces, naval forces, or militia to seize and hold those vessels and any prizes. The forces can be used to enforce the rules and penalties, to return prizes when a court orders it, and to stop expeditions leaving U.S. territory against a foreign state or colony with which the United States is at peace.