18 U.S.C. § 1581 — Peonage; obstructing enforcement

FEDERAL · 18 U.S.C. · Chapter 77

Peonage; obstructing enforcement

18 U.S.C. § 1581

Chapter77 — PEONAGE, SLAVERY, AND TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

This text of 18 U.S.C. § 1581 (Peonage; obstructing enforcement) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

18 U.S.C. § 1581.

Text

(a)Whoever holds or returns any person to a condition of peonage, or arrests any person with the intent of placing him in or returning him to a condition of peonage, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both. If death results from the violation of this section, or if the violation includes kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or the attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, the defendant shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for any term of years or life, or both.

(b)Whoever obstructs, or attempts to obstruct, or in any way interferes with or prevents the enforcement of this section, shall be liable to the penalties prescribed in subsection (a).

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(a) Whoever holds or returns any person to a condition of peonage, or arrests any person with the intent of placing him in or returning him to a condition of peonage, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both. If death results from the violation of this section, or if the violation includes kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or the attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, the defendant shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for any term of years or life, or both.
(b) Whoever obstructs, or attempts to obstruct, or in any way interferes with or prevents the enforcement of this section, shall be liable to the penalties prescribed in subsection (a).

Kathleen Britt, individually and as the Surviving Parent of Jason Britt, and as Personal Representative on behalf of Jason Britt, deceased v. Agape Baptist Church Inc., d/b/a Agape Boarding School, Julio Sandoval, individually and in his role as Dean of Students for Agape Boarding School, Safe, Sound and Secure Youth Ministries, Inc., Brent Jackson, Individually and in his role as Vocational Director and Staff Member for Agape Boarding School, Scott Dumar, Individually and in his role as Medical Director, Member of the Board of Directors and Staff Member for Agape Boarding School, Jon Wilke, Individually and in his role as Staff Member for Agape Boarding School, David Wilson, Individually and in his role as Staff Member for Agape Boarding School

(W.D. Missouri, 2025)

Source Credit

History

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 772; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147; Pub. L. 104–208, div. C, title II, §218(a), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–573; Pub. L. 106–386, div. A, §112(a)(1), Oct. 28, 2000, 114 Stat. 1486.)

Editorial Notes

Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §§444, 445 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, §§269, 270, 35 Stat. 1142).
Section consolidates sections 444 and 445 of said title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., with changes in phraseology to amplify and clarify their provisions.
Reference to persons causing or procuring was omitted as unnecessary in view of definition of "principal" in section 2 of this title.

Editorial Notes

Amendments
2000—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106–386 substituted "20 years" for "10 years" and inserted at end "If death results from the violation of this section, or if the violation includes kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or the attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, the defendant shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for any term of years or life, or both."
1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–208 substituted "10 years" for "five years".
1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–322 substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $5,000".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Pub. L. 104–208, div. C, title II, §218(d), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–574, provided that: "This section [amending this section and sections 1583, 1584, and 1588 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 994 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure] and the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to offenses occurring on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 30, 1996]."

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18 U.S.C. § 1581, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/usc/18/1581.