Federal · Title 16 — Conservation

16 U.S.C. § 480: Civil and criminal jurisdiction

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute clarifies that establishing a national forest does not change state criminal or civil jurisdiction over persons within it, except for federal offenses. State jurisdiction and citizens' rights remain unchanged.

Read the full statutory text

The jurisdiction, both civil and criminal, over persons within national forests shall not be affected or changed by reason of their existence, except so far as the punishment of offenses against the United States therein is concerned; the intent and meaning of this provision being that the State wherein any such national forest is situated shall not, by reason of the establishment thereof, lose its jurisdiction, nor the inhabitants thereof their rights and privileges as citizens, or be absolved from their duties as citizens of the State.

Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text

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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.