Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 1385: Use of Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force as posse comitatus

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

Federal law prohibits willfully using armed forces as a posse or to enforce laws unless authorized by Constitution or Congress. Violation carries a fine and/or up to two years imprisonment.

Read the full statutory text

Whoever, except in cases and under circumstances expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress, willfully uses any part of the Army, the Navy, the Marine Corps, the Air Force, or the Space Force as a posse comitatus or otherwise to execute the laws shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.

Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text

Facing this? Know exactly what happens next.

MOFRD turns this code section into your situation: the deadlines that apply to you, the forms your county uses, and the resolution paths people in your position actually take. Free for 3 days — no card required.

Start your matter free Ask Law Link about this code

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.