Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 1363: Buildings or property within special maritime and territorial jurisdiction

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

Federal law criminalizes willful and malicious destruction or injury of property within U.S. maritime jurisdiction, punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment; up to 20 years if a dwelling or human life is endangered.

Read the full statutory text

Whoever, within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, willfully and maliciously destroys or injures any structure, conveyance, or other real or personal property, or attempts or conspires to do such an act, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both, and if the building be a dwelling, or the life of any person be placed in jeopardy, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.

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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.