Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 1381: Enticing desertion and harboring deserters

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

Federal law prohibits enticing military personnel to desert, aiding desertion, or harboring deserters. Violations are punishable by fine and/or up to three years imprisonment.

Read the full statutory text

Whoever entices or procures, or attempts or endeavors to entice or procure any person in the Armed Forces of the United States, or who has been recruited for service therein, to desert therefrom, or aids any such person in deserting or in attempting to desert from such service; or Whoever harbors, conceals, protects, or assists any such person who may have deserted from such service, knowing him to have deserted therefrom, or refuses to give up and deliver such person on the demand of any officer authorized to receive him— Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.

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.