Us Code § 436 - Convict labor contracts

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 436 — Convict labor contracts, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 436. Convict labor contracts

Whoever, being an officer, employee, or agent of the United States or any department or agency thereof, contracts with any person or corporation, or permits any warden, agent, or official of any penal or correctional institution, to hire out the labor of any prisoners confined for violation of any laws of the United States, shall be fined under this title 1 or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 703; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §§708, 709 (Feb. 23, 1887, ch. 213, §§1, 2, 24 Stat. 411).

This section consolidates sections 708 and 709 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., as the offense and penalty provisions, respectively.

Words "department or agency thereof" were inserted to clarify scope of section. See definition of department and agency in section 6 of this title.

To retain uniformity words "shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and," were omitted. The reference to misdemeanor is now covered by the definition in section 1 of this title.

Words "on conviction thereof" were omitted as unnecessary since punishment can follow only upon conviction.

The minimum punishment provisions "less than one year nor" and "less than $500 nor" were deleted to conform to the policy followed by codifiers of 1909 Criminal Code. (See reviser's note under section 203 of this title.)

Changes were also made in phraseology.


Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322, which directed the amendment of this section by substituting "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $5,000", was executed by making the substitution for "fined not more than $1,000", to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

1 See 1994 Amendment note below.

About This Section

18 U.S.C. § 436 is part of Title 18 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 18 U.S.C. § 436. 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

Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.

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Sources

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 436

What does United States Code § 436 cover?

Section 436 ("Convict labor contracts") 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.

How do I cite Us Code § 436?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 436" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

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.

How does Us Code § 436 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.