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§ 1652. Citizens as pirates

Type Statute
Publication 2026-03-26
State In force
Department United States Congress
Source OLRC
Reform history JSON API
§ 1652. Citizens as pirates

Whoever, being a citizen of the United States, commits any murder or robbery, or any act of hostility against the United States, or against any citizen thereof, on the high seas, under color of any commission from any foreign prince, or state, or on pretense of authority from any person, is a pirate, and shall be imprisoned for life.

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 774.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 495 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 304, 35 Stat. 1147).

Words “Notwithstanding the pretense of such authority,” were omitted as surplusage.

This document does not substitute reading the official United States Code published by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies resulting from the conversion to this format.