2017 US Code
Title 18 - Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Part I - Crimes
Chapter 25 - Counterfeiting and Forgery
Sec. 512 - Forfeiture of certain motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts

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Citation 18 U.S.C. § 512 (2017)
Section Name §512. Forfeiture of certain motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts
Section Text

(a) If an identification number for a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part is removed, obliterated, tampered with, or altered, such vehicle or part shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture to the United States unless—

(1) in the case of a motor vehicle part, such part is attached to a motor vehicle and the owner of such motor vehicle does not know that the identification number has been removed, obliterated, tampered with, or altered;

(2) such motor vehicle or part has a replacement identification number that—

(A) is authorized by the Secretary of Transportation under chapter 301 of title 49; or

(B) conforms to applicable State law;


(3) such removal, obliteration, tampering, or alteration is caused by collision or fire or is carried out as described in section 511(b) of this title; or

(4) such motor vehicle or part is in the possession or control of a motor vehicle scrap processor who does not know that such identification number was removed, obliterated, tampered with, or altered in any manner other than by collision or fire or as described in section 511(b) of this title.


(b) All provisions of law relating to—

(1) the seizure and condemnation of vessels, vehicles, merchandise, and baggage for violation of customs laws, and procedures for summary and judicial forfeiture applicable to such violations;

(2) the disposition of such vessels, vehicles, merchandise, and baggage or the proceeds from such disposition;

(3) the remission or mitigation of such forfeiture; and

(4) the compromise of claims and the award of compensation to informers with respect to such forfeiture;


shall apply to seizures and forfeitures under this section, to the extent that such provisions are not inconsistent with this section. The duties of the collector of customs or any other person with respect to seizure and forfeiture under such provisions shall be performed under this section by such persons as may be designated by the Attorney General.

(c) As used in this section, the terms "identification number", "motor vehicle", and "motor vehicle scrap processor" have the meanings given those terms in section 511 of this title.

Source Credit

(Added Pub. L. 98–547, title II, §201(a), Oct. 25, 1984, 98 Stat. 2769; amended Pub. L. 103–272, §5(e)(4), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1373.)

Editorial Notes AMENDMENTS

1994—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 103–272 substituted "chapter 301 title 49" for "the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966".

Publication Title United States Code, 2012 Edition, Supplement 5, 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 25 - COUNTERFEITING AND FORGERY
Sec. 512 - Forfeiture of certain motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts
Contains section 512
Date 2017
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 12, 2018
Positive Law Yes
Disposition standard
Statutes at Large References 98 Stat. 2769
108 Stat. 1373
Public Law References Public Law 98-547, Public Law 103-272
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