Federal · Title 33 — Navigation and Navigable Waters

33 U.S.C. § 1481: Violations; penalties

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

Willfully violating chapter provisions, refusing lawful orders, or obstructing compliance constitutes a criminal offense. A defense exists if the accused used due diligence and reasonably believed compliance risked serious harm to human life.

Read the full statutory text

willfully violates a provision of this chapter or a regulation issued thereunder; or willfully refuses or fails to comply with any lawful order or direction given pursuant to this chapter; or willfully obstructs any person who is acting in compliance with an order or direction under this chapter. In a criminal proceeding for an offense under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this section it shall be a defense for the accused to prove that he used all due diligence to comply with any order or direction that he had reasonable cause to believe that compliance would have resulted in serious risk to human life.

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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.