Title 25, IndiansRelease 119-102
§202 Inducing Conveyances by Indians of Trust Interests in Lands
Title 25 › CHAPTER 5 — PROTECTION OF INDIANS › § 202
Summary
Anyone who persuades an Indian to sign or file papers that transfer land the United States holds in trust for that Indian is breaking the law. On a first conviction the person can be fined up to $500. On a second conviction the court may fine up to $500, or jail the person up to one year, or both. Leases and other contracts allowed by law are not covered.
Full Legal Text
Title 25, §202
Indians, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
It shall be unlawful for any person to induce any Indian to execute any contract, deed, mortgage, or other instrument purporting to convey any land or any interest therein held by the United States in trust for such Indian, or to offer any such contract, deed, mortgage, or other instrument for record in the office of any recorder of deeds. Any person violating this provision shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $500 for the first offense, and if convicted for a second offense may be punished by a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment not exceeding one year, or by both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court. This section shall not apply to any lease or other contract authorized by law to be made.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Codification Section was formerly classified to section 115 of Title 18, Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure, prior to the general revision and enactment of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, by act June 25, 1948, ch. 645, § 1, 62 Stat. 683.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
25 U.S.C. § 202
Title 25, Indians
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102