PRIA Logo™
Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and RadiotelegraphsRelease 119-110

§33 Jurisdiction and Venue of Actions and Offenses

Title 47 › CHAPTER 2 — SUBMARINE CABLES › § 33

Last updated Sep 23, 2026|Official source

Summary

Federal district courts have the power to hear crimes and civil lawsuits under this law. That includes acts that happen inside U.S. territorial waters or on a U.S. ship outside those waters, as long as the ship is a U.S. vessel. You can appeal district court decisions the same way as in other federal cases. Criminal cases must start in the district where the offense happened, or if none, where the offender is found. Civil cases can start in any district where the defendant can be found and served.

Full Legal Text

Title 47, §33

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

The district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction over all offenses against this chapter and of all suits of a civil nature arising thereunder, whether the infraction complained of shall have been committed within the territorial waters of the United States or on board a vessel of the United States outside of said waters: Provided, That in case such infraction is committed outside of the territorial waters of the United States the vessel on board of which it has been committed is a vessel of the United States. From the decrees and judgments of the district courts in actions and suits arising under this chapter appeals and writs of error shall be allowed as now provided by law in other cases. Criminal actions and proceedings for a violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be commenced and prosecuted in the district court for the district within which the offense was committed, and when not committed within any judicial district, then in the district court for the district within which the offender may be found; and suits of a civil nature may be commenced in the district court for any district within which the defendant may be found and shall be served with process.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Abolition of Writs of ErrorWrits of error were abolished, and relief previously obtainable by writs of error declared to be obtainable by appeal, by act Jan. 31, 1928, ch. 14, § 1, 45 Stat. 54. See note preceding section 1 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

47 U.S.C. § 33

Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs

Last Updated

Sep 23, 2026

Release point: 119-110