Us Code § 396 - Recovery of penalties and forfeitures generally

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 396 — Recovery of penalties and forfeitures generally, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 396. Recovery of penalties and forfeitures generally

All the penalties and forfeitures which may be incurred for offenses against title 48 of the Revised Statutes may be sued for, prosecuted, and recovered in such court, and be disposed of in such manner, as any penalties and forfeitures which may be incurred for offenses against the laws relating to the collection of duties, except when otherwise expressly prescribed.

(R.S. §4305.)


Editorial Notes

References in Text

Title 48 of the Revised Statutes, referred to in text, was in the original "this Title", meaning title 48 of the Revised Statutes, consisting of R.S. §§4131 to 4305. For complete classification of R.S. §§4131 to 4305 to the Code, see Tables.

Codification

R.S. §4305 derived from act Dec. 31, 1792, ch. 1, §29, 1 Stat. 298.

CHAPTER 9—PROTECTION OF NAVIGABLE WATERS AND OF HARBOR AND RIVER IMPROVEMENTS GENERALLY

SUBCHAPTER I—IN GENERAL

Sec.
400.
Continuing authority programs.
401.
Construction of bridges, causeways, dams or dikes generally; exemptions.
402.
Construction of bridges, etc., over Illinois and Mississippi Canal.
403.
Obstruction of navigable waters generally; wharves; piers, etc.; excavations and filling in.
403a.
Creation or continuance of obstruction of navigable waters.
403b.
Lighting at docks and boat launching facilities.
404.
Establishment of harbor lines; conditions to grants for extension of piers, etc.
405.
Establishment and modification of harbor lines on Potomac and Anacostia Rivers.
406.
Penalty for wrongful construction of bridges, piers, etc.; removal of structures.
407.
Deposit of refuse in navigable waters generally.
407a.
Deposit of debris of mines and stamp works.
408.
Taking possession of, use of, or injury to harbor or river improvements.
408a.
Expediting approval of modifications and alterations of projects by non-Federal interests.
409.
Obstruction of navigable waters by vessels; floating timber; marking and removal of sunken vessels.
410.
Exception as to floating loose timber, sack rafts, etc.; violation of regulations; penalty.
411.
Penalty for wrongful deposit of refuse; use of or injury to harbor improvements, and obstruction of navigable waters generally.
412.
Liability of masters, pilots, etc., and of vessels engaged in violations.
413.
Duty of United States attorneys and other Federal officers in enforcement of provisions; arrest of offenders.
414.
Removal by Secretary of the Army of sunken water craft generally; liability of owner, lessee, or operator.
415.
Summary removal of water craft obstructing navigation; liability of owner, lessee, or operator.
416.
Appropriations for removal of sunken water craft.
417.
Expenses of investigations by Department of the Army.
418.
Provisions for protection of New York Harbor unaffected.
419.
Regulation by Secretary governing transportation and dumping of dredgings, refuse, etc., into navigable waters; oyster lands; appropriations.
419a.
Management practices to extend capacity and useful life of dredged material disposal areas.
420.
Piers and cribs on Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers.
421.
Deposit of refuse, etc., in Lake Michigan near Chicago.
422.
Modification and extension of harbor lines at Chicago.
423.
Establishment of pierhead and bulkhead lines in Wilmington Harbor, California.
424.
Establishment of pierhead or bulkhead lines in Newport Harbor, California.
424a.
Modification of harbor lines in Newport Harbor, California.
425.
Omitted.
426.
Investigations concerning erosion of shores of coastal and lake waters.
426–1.
Coastal Engineering Research Center; establishment; powers and functions.
426–2.
Board on Coastal Engineering Research.
426–3.
Transfer of functions of Beach Erosion Board.
426a.
Additional investigations concerning erosion of shores of coastal and lake waters; payment of costs; "shores" defined.
426b.
Applicability of existing laws; projects referred to Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors.
426c.
Report by Coastal Engineering Research Center.
426d.
Payment of expenses.
426e.
Federal aid in protection of shores.
426e–1.
Shore protection projects.
426e–2.
Clarification of munition disposal authorities.
426e–3.
Coastal storm damage reduction contracts.
426f.
Reimbursements.
426g.
Storm and hurricane restoration and impact minimization program.
426g–1.
State and regional plans.
426h.
Repealed.
426h–1.
Definitions.
426i.
Shore damage prevention or mitigation.
426i–1.
Repealed.
426i–2.
National coastal data bank.
426j.
Repealed.
426k.
Five year demonstration program to temporarily increase diversion of water from Lake Michigan at Chicago, Illinois.
426l.
Protection of Lake Ontario.
426m.
Collection and removal of drift and debris from publicly maintained commercial boat harbors and adjacent land and water areas.
426n.
Technical assistance to States and local governments; cost sharing.
426o.
Great Lakes material disposal.
426o–1.
Great Lakes dredging levels adjustment.
426o–2.
Great Lakes navigation and protection.
426p.
Corps of Engineers.
427 to 430. Repealed.

        

SUBCHAPTER II—OIL POLLUTION OF COASTAL WATERS

431 to 437. Repealed.

        

SUBCHAPTER III—NEW YORK HARBOR, HARBOR OF HAMPTON ROADS, AND HARBOR OF BALTIMORE

441.
Deposit of refuse prohibited; penalty.
442.
Liability of officers of towing vessel.
443.
Permit for dumping; penalty for taking or towing boat or scow without permit.
444.
Dumping at other place than designated dumping grounds; penalty; person liable; excuses for deviation.
445.
Equipment and marking of boats or scows.
446.
Inspectors; appointment, powers, and duties.
447.
Bribery of inspector; penalty.
448.
Return of permit; penalty for failure to return.
449.
Disposition of dredged matter; persons liable; penalty.
450.
Liability of vessel.
451.
Supervisor of harbor; appointment and duties.
451a.
Harbors subject to this subchapter.
451b.
Waters included within subchapter.
452.
Taking shellfish or otherwise interfering with navigation in New York Harbor channels; penalty; arrest and procedure.
453.
Regulations for navigation of Ambrose Channel; exclusion of tows and sailing vessels.
454.
Consent of Congress to obstruction of waters by New York City.

        

SUBCHAPTER IV—POTOMAC RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES IN DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

461 to 464. Repealed.

        

SUBCHAPTER V—NAVIGABLE WATERS OF MARYLAND

465.
Authority to dredge; riparian rights of United States.

        

SUBCHAPTER VI—WATER POLLUTION CONTROL

466 to 466g. Transferred.
466g–1.
Controversies involving construction or application of interstate compacts and pollution of waters.
466h to 466n. Transferred or Repealed.

        

SUBCHAPTER VII—DAM INSPECTION PROGRAM

467.
Definitions.
467a.
Inspection of dams.
467b.
Investigation reports to Governors.
467c.
Determination of danger to human life and property.
467d.
National dam inventory.
467e.
Interagency Committee on Dam Safety.
467f.
National dam safety program.
467f–1.
Lock and dam security.
467f–2.
Rehabilitation of high hazard potential dams.
467g.
Research.
467g–1.
Dam safety training.
467g–2.
Public awareness and outreach for dam safety.
467h.
Reports.
467i.
Statutory construction.
467j.
Authorization of appropriations.
467k to 467m. Repealed.
467n.
Recovery of dam modification costs required for safety purposes.
467o.
National low-head dam inventory.

        

SUBCHAPTER I—IN GENERAL

About This Section

33 U.S.C. § 396 is part of Title 33 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 33 U.S.C. § 396. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 396

What does United States Code § 396 cover?

Section 396 ("Recovery of penalties and forfeitures generally") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

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Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

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Sources & Verification

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