Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and RadiotelegraphsRelease 119-102

§22 Negligent Injury to Submarine Cables; Punishment

Title 47 › CHAPTER 2 — SUBMARINE CABLES › § 22

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

Anyone who carelessly breaks or damages an underwater telegraph cable and interrupts messages commits a misdemeanor and can be punished by up to three months' jail, a $500 fine, or both.

Full Legal Text

Title 47, §22

Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Any person who by culpable negligence shall break or injure a submarine cable in such manner as to interrupt or embarrass, in whole or in part, telegraphic communication, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction thereof, shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or to a fine not exceeding $500, or to both fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

47 U.S.C. § 22

Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102