Fill and Sign the Obstruction of Correspondence Form

51 Obstruction Of Correspondence (Taking of Mail) 18 USC § 1702 Title 18, United States Code, Section 1702, makes it a Federal crime or offense for anyone to obstruct the delivery of mail by taking or removing it from the United States mails. The Defendant can be found guilty of that offense only if all of the following facts are proved beyond a reasonable doubt: First: That the Defendant knowingly took mail [out of a post off ice] [out of an authorized depository for mail matter] [from a letter or mail carrier] [that had been in the custody of any letter or mail carrier] before delivery to the person to whom it was directed, as charged; and Second: That in doing so the Defendant acted willfully with design or intent to obstruct the correspondence. A private mail box or mail receptacle is an " authorized depository for mail matter," and mail has not been delivered until it has been removed from such a depository by the addressee or someone acting for the addressee. To "take" mail with " design to obstruct the correspondence" means to seize or take such mail for the purpose of preventing or obstructing its delivery to the person to whom it was directed. ANNOTATIONS AND COMMENTS 18 USC § 1702 provides: Whoever takes any letter, postal card, or package out of any post office or any authorized depository for mail matter, or from any letter or mail carrier, or which has been in any post office or authorized depository, or in the custody of any letter or mail carrier, before it has been delivered to the person to whom it was directed, with design to obstruct the correspondence [shall be guilty of an offense against the United States]. Maximum Penalty: Five (5) years imprisonment and applicable fine.