Federal · Title 46 — Shipping

46 U.S.C. § 70504: Jurisdiction and venue

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute establishes procedural rules for determining jurisdiction and venue in cases involving vessels. It specifies that jurisdiction is not a crime element and that trial location depends on where the offense occurred.

Read the full statutory text

Jurisdiction of the United States with respect to a vessel subject to this chapter is not an element of an offense. Jurisdictional issues arising under this chapter are preliminary questions of law to be determined solely by the trial judge. shall be tried in the district in which such offense was committed; or if the offense was begun or committed upon the high seas, or elsewhere outside the jurisdiction of any particular State or district, may be tried in any district.

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.