Federal · Title 10 — Armed Forces

10 U.S.C. § 903a: Art. 103a. Espionage

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

This statute defines espionage as unlawfully communicating national defense information to a foreign government or agent with intent to harm the United States. Conviction can result in death or imprisonment depending on the severity and nature of information disclosed.

Read the full statutory text
Any person subject to this chapter who, with intent or reason to believe that it is to be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of a foreign nation, communicates, delivers, or transmits, or attempts to communicate, deliver, or transmit, to any entity described in paragraph (2), either directly or indirectly, anything described in paragraph (3) shall be punished as a court-martial may direct, except that if the accused is found guilty of an offense that directly concerns (A) nuclear weaponry, military spacecraft or satellites, early warning systems, or other means of defense or retaliation against large scale attack, (B) war plans, (C) communications intelligence or cryptographic information, or (D) any other major weapons system or major element of defense strategy, the accused shall be punished by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct. a foreign government; a faction or party or military or naval force within a foreign country, whether recognized or unrecognized by the United States; or a representative, officer, agent, employee, subject, or citizen of such a government, faction, party, or force. A thing referred to in paragraph (1) is a document, writing, code book, signal book, sketch, photograph, photographic negative, blueprint, plan, map, model, note, instrument, appliance, or information relating to the national defense. the members of the court-martial unanimously find at least one of the aggravating factors set out in subsection (c); and the members unanimously determine that any extenuating or mitigating circumstances are substantially outweighed by any aggravating circumstances, including the aggravating factors set out in subsection (c). evidence introduced on the issue of guilt or innocence; evidence introduced during the sentencing proceeding; or all such evidence. The accused shall be given broad latitude to present matters in extenuation and mitigation. The accused has been convicted of another offense involving espionage or treason for which either a sentence of death or imprisonment for life was authorized by statute. In the commission of the offense, the accused knowingly created a grave risk of substantial damage to the national security. In the commission of the offense, the accused knowingly created a grave risk of death to another person. Any other factor that may be prescribed by the President by regulations under section 836 of this title (article 36).

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.