§ 703. Uniform of friendly nation

Statutory text

Whoever, within the jurisdiction of the United States, with intent to deceive or mislead, wears any naval, military, police, or other official uniform, decoration, or regalia of any foreign state, nation, or government with which the United States is at peace, or anything so nearly resembling the same as to be calculated to deceive, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

1948
Pub. L. 80–645 · 62 Stat. 683
Enacted · 18 U.S.C. § 703
June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 732
Source evidence
Code source credit
June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 732
1994
Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994
Pub. L. 103–322 title XXXIII § 330016(1)(E) · 108 Stat. 1796
Substituted · 18 U.S.C. § 703
Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $250”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $250”.
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(E) in sections 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707, 708, 710, 711, 711a, 713, 715, 1164, and 1858 by striking “not more than $250” each place it appears and inserting “under this title”;

1 of 2 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 1 partial

Notes

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on section 246 of title 22, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Foreign Relations and Intercourse (July 8, 1918, ch. 138, 40 Stat. 821).

Words “upon conviction” were deleted as surplusage, since punishment cannot be imposed until a conviction is secured.

Reference to territories or places subject to jurisdiction of the United States was omitted in view of section 5 of this title defining the term “United States.”

Fine of “$250” was substituted for “$300” as being more consonant with the penalties provided for similar offenses in this chapter.

Words “unless such wearing thereof be authorized by such state, nation, or government” were deleted as unnecessary and undesirable since it is unthinkable that a friendly power would authorize such deceit.

Minor changes were made in phraseology.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $250”.

Credits

1948–1994 · 2 acts

1948June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 732
1994Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(E), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2146.

Show as published

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 732; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(E), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2146.)