CITE

    18 USC Sec. 963                                             01/05/2009

EXPCITE

    TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
    PART I - CRIMES
    CHAPTER 45 - FOREIGN RELATIONS

HEAD

    Sec. 963. Detention of armed vessel

STATUTE

      (a) During a war in which the United States is a neutral nation,
    the President, or any person authorized by him, may detain any
    armed vessel owned wholly or in part by citizens of the United
    States, or any vessel, domestic or foreign (other than one which
    has entered the ports of the United States as a public vessel),
    which is manifestly built for warlike purposes or has been
    converted or adapted from a private vessel to one suitable for
    warlike use, until the owner or master, or person having charge of
    such vessel, shall furnish proof satisfactory to the President, or
    to the person duly authorized by him, that the vessel will not be
    employed to cruise against or commit or attempt to commit
    hostilities upon the subjects, citizens, or property of any foreign
    prince or state, or of any colony, district, or people with which
    the United States is at peace, and that the said vessel will not be
    sold or delivered to any belligerent nation, or to an agent,
    officer, or citizen of such nation, by them or any of them, within
    the jurisdiction of the United States, or upon the high seas.
      (b) Whoever, in violation of this section takes, or attempts to
    take, or authorizes the taking of any such vessel, out of port or
    from the United States, shall be fined under this title or
    imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.
      In addition, such vessel, her tackle, apparel, furniture,
    equipment, and her cargo shall be forfeited to the United States.

SOURCE

    (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 746; Pub. L. 103-322, title
    XXXIII, Sec. 330016(1)(L), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

      Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Secs. 32, 36 (June 15, 1917,
    ch. 30, title V, Secs. 2, 6, 40 Stat. 221, 222; Mar. 28, 1940, ch.
    72, Sec. 5, 54 Stat. 79).
      Section consolidates said sections of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed.
      Words "within the United States" were substituted for "within the
    jurisdiction" etc., in view of the definition of United States in
    section 5 of this title.
      Mandatory punishment provision was rephrased in the alternative.
      The conspiracy provision of said section 36 was omitted as
    covered by section 371 of this title. See reviser's note under that
    section.
      Changes in phraseology were also made.
                                AMENDMENTS
      1994 - Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103-322 substituted "fined under this
    title" for "fined not more than $10,000".

DELEGATION OF FUNCTIONS

      For delegation to Secretary of Homeland Security of authority
    vested in President by this section, see section 1(l) of Ex. Ord.
    No. 10637, Sept. 16, 1955, 20 F.R. 7025, as amended, set out as a
    note under section 301 of Title 3, The President.