Penalty Info

Home / United States / Postal offences

Postal offencesPossibly — unconfirmed

Possibly — unconfirmed

Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.

Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed

§ 1708 — Theft / receipt of stolen mailPossibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0 (no mandatory prison) – 5 years
Fine
Per § 3571 cap (see fine-cap note)

0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.

§ 1709 — Theft by a postal employeePossibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0 (no mandatory prison) – 5 years
Fine
Per § 3571 cap (see fine-cap note)

0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.

Reported — not yet confirmed.

§§ 1702–1703 — Obstruction of correspondence / delay or destruction by a postal employeePossibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0 (no mandatory prison) – 5 years
Fine
Per § 3571 cap (see fine-cap note)

0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.

Reported — not yet confirmed.

§ 1701 — Obstruction of mailsPossibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0 (no mandatory prison) – 6 months
Fine
Per § 3571 cap (see fine-cap note)

0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.

Reported — not yet confirmed.

Source

Statute
18 U.S.C. Chapter 83 (§§ 1691–1710)
Official source
uscode.house.gov
Verification status
§ 1708 verified from official text; §§ 1701–1703, 1709 reported, not yet confirmed.
Last verified
2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not “your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: State law, priors, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.