2016 US Code
Title 18 - Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Part I - Crimes
Chapter 45 - Foreign Relations
Sec. 953 - Private correspondence with foreign governments

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Citation 18 U.S.C. § 953 (2016)
Section Name §953. Private correspondence with foreign governments
Section Text

Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.

This section shall not abridge the right of a citizen to apply, himself or his agent, to any foreign government or the agents thereof for redress of any injury which he may have sustained from such government or any of its agents or subjects.

Source Credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 744; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

Editorial Notes HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §5 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, §5, 35 Stat. 1088; Apr. 22, 1932, ch. 126, 47 Stat. 132).

The reference to any citizen or resident within the jurisdiction of the United States not duly authorized "who counsels, advises or assists in such correspondence with such intent" was omitted as unnecessary in view of definition of principal in section 2.

Mandatory punishment provision was rephrased in the alternative.

Minor changes of arrangement and in phraseology were made.

AMENDMENTS

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $5,000" in first par.

Publication Title United States Code, 2012 Edition, Supplement 4, Title 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
Category Bills and Statutes
Collection United States Code
SuDoc Class Number Y 1.2/5:
Contained Within Title 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I - CRIMES
CHAPTER 45 - FOREIGN RELATIONS
Sec. 953 - Private correspondence with foreign governments
Contains section 953
Date 2016
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 6, 2017
Positive Law Yes
Disposition standard
Statutes at Large References 35 Stat. 1088
47 Stat. 132
62 Stat. 744
108 Stat. 2147
Public Law References Public Law 103-322
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