PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

Places U.S. defense sites in Palau under U.S. special maritime and territorial authority under section 7, title 18. That authority, tied to section 321 of the Compact of Free Association, applies only to U.S. citizens and nationals and to aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence while they are in Palau. If those people do on those sites an act that would be a crime under Guam law (as in force at the time), they are treated the same and face the same punishment. The District Court of Guam has the authority to try U.S. crimes there, and it can appoint magistrate judges for the Palau sites. Those magistrates have the powers and status of magistrates under chapter 43, title 28, and can try and sentence petty offenses (section 1(3), title 18), including Commanding Officer rule violations, without the limits in section 3401(b), title 18.

Title 48, §1934

Territories and Insular Possessions, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Maritime and territorial jurisdiction

With respect to section 321 of the Compact of Free Association and its related agreements, the jurisdictional provisions set forth in subsection (b) of this section shall apply only to the citizens and nationals of the United States and aliens lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence who are in Palau.

(b)Defense sites

The defense sites of the United States established in Palau in accordance with the Compact of Free Association and its related agreements are within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States as set forth in section 7, title 18.

(c)Offenses

(1)Any person referred to in subsection (a) of this section who within or upon such defense sites is guilty of any act or omission which, although not made punishable by any enactment of Congress, would be punishable if committed or omitted within the jurisdiction of the territory of Guam by the laws thereof, in force at the time of such act or omission, shall be guilty of a like offense and subject to a like punishment.

(2)The District Court of Guam shall have jurisdiction to try all criminal offenses against the United States, including the laws of Guam made applicable to the defense sites in Palau by virtue of subsection (c)(1) of this section, committed by any person referred to in subsection (a) of this section.

(3)The District Court of Guam may appoint one or more magistrate judges for the defense sites in Palau. Such Magistrate Judges shall have the power and the status of Magistrate Judges appointed pursuant to chapter 43, title 28: Provided however, That such Magistrate Judges shall have the power to try persons accused of, and sentence persons convicted of, petty offenses, as defined in section 1(3), title 18, including violations of regulations for the maintenance of peace, order, and health issued by the Commanding Officer on such defense sites, without being subject to the restrictions provided for in section 3401(b), title 18.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Compact of Free Association, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (b), is the Compact of Free Association between the United States and the Government of Palau, which is contained in section 201 of Pub. L. 99–658, set out as a note under section 1931 of this title. Section 1 of title 18, referred to in subsec. (c)(3), was repealed by Pub. L. 98–473, title II, § 218(a)(1), Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2027. Codification Section was formerly set out as a note under section 1681 of this title. Section was enacted as part of title II of Pub. L. 99–658, not as part of title I of Pub. L. 99–658 which comprises this part.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Words “magistrate judges” and “Magistrate Judges” substituted for “magistrates” and “Magistrates”, respectively, wherever appearing in subsec. (c)(3) pursuant to section 321 of Pub. L. 101–650, set out as a note under section 631 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.

§1934 Jurisdiction