2016 US Code
Title 49 - Transportation
Subtitle VI - Motor Vehicle and Driver Programs
Part C - Information, Standards, and Requirements
Chapter 327 - Odometers
Sec. 32710 - Civil actions by private persons

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Citation 49 U.S.C. § 32710 (2016)
Section Name §32710. Civil actions by private persons
Section Text

(a) Violation and Amount of Damages.—A person that violates this chapter or a regulation prescribed or order issued under this chapter, with intent to defraud, is liable for 3 times the actual damages or $10,000, whichever is greater.

(b) Civil Actions.—A person may bring a civil action to enforce a claim under this section in an appropriate United States district court or in another court of competent jurisdiction. The action must be brought not later than 2 years after the claim accrues. The court shall award costs and a reasonable attorney's fee to the person when a judgment is entered for that person.

Source Credit

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1055; Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title I, §31206(2), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 761.)

Editorial Notes
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
32710(a) 15:1989(a)(1). Oct. 20, 1972, Pub. L. 92–513, §409, 86 Stat. 963.
32710(b) 15:1989(a)(2), (b).

In subsection (a), the words "this chapter or a regulation prescribed or order issued under this chapter" are substituted for "requirement imposed under this subchapter" for consistency.

In subsection (b), the words "A person may bring a civil action to enforce a claim" are substituted for "An action to enforce any liability created . . . may be brought" for consistency with rule 2 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 App. U.S.C.). The word "appropriate" is added for clarity. The words "without regard to the amount in controversy" are omitted because jurisdiction is now allowed under 28:1331 without regard to the amount in controversy. The words "after the claim accrues" are substituted for "from the date on which the liability arises" to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "The court shall award . . . to the person when a judgment is entered for that person" are substituted for "in the case of any successful action to enforce the foregoing liability . . . as determined by the court" for clarity.

AMENDMENTS

2012—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 112–141 substituted "$10,000" for "$1,500".

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2012 AMENDMENT

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of Title 23, Highways.

Publication Title United States Code, 2012 Edition, Supplement 4, Title 49 - TRANSPORTATION
Category Bills and Statutes
Collection United States Code
SuDoc Class Number Y 1.2/5:
Contained Within Title 49 - TRANSPORTATION
SUBTITLE VI - MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMS
PART C - INFORMATION, STANDARDS, AND REQUIREMENTS
CHAPTER 327 - ODOMETERS
Sec. 32710 - Civil actions by private persons
Contains section 32710
Date 2016
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 6, 2017
Positive Law Yes
Disposition standard
Statutes at Large References 86 Stat. 963
108 Stat. 1055
126 Stat. 761
Public Law References Public Law 92-513, Public Law 103-272, Public Law 112-141
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