Federal · Title 14 — Coast Guard

14 U.S.C. § 2711: Deserters; payment of expenses incident to apprehension and delivery; penalties

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

Desertion from the Coast Guard during wartime is a criminal offense punishable by court martial, resulting in dismissal or dishonorable discharge and barring future military service unless disability is removed by board review.

Read the full statutory text

The Coast Guard may, pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary, make such expenditures as are deemed necessary for the apprehension and delivery of deserters, stragglers, and prisoners. No individual who is convicted by court martial for desertion from the Coast Guard in time of war, and as the result of such conviction is dismissed or dishonorably discharged from the Coast Guard shall afterwards be enlisted, appointed, or commissioned in any military or naval service under the United States, unless the disability resulting from desertion, as established by this section is removed by a board of commissioned officers of the Coast Guard convened for consideration of the case, and the action of the Board is approved by the Secretary; or unless he is restored to duty in time of war.

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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.