Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 1859: Surveys interrupted

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

It is unlawful to use threats or force to interrupt, hinder, or prevent authorized surveying of public or confirmed private lands. Violation can result in a fine and/or imprisonment up to three years.

Read the full statutory text
Whoever, by threats or force, interrupts, hinders, or prevents the surveying of the public lands, or of any private land claim which has been or may be confirmed by the United States, by the persons authorized to survey the same in conformity with the instructions of the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three 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.

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.