§ 497. — Letters patent.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 18USC497]
TITLE 18--CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I--CRIMES
CHAPTER 25--COUNTERFEITING AND FORGERY
Sec. 497. Letters patent
Whoever falsely makes, forges, counterfeits, or alters any letters
patent granted or purporting to have been granted by the President of
the United States; or
Whoever passes, utters, or publishes, or attempts to pass, utter, or
publish as genuine, any such letters patent, knowing the same to be
forged, counterfeited or falsely altered--
Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten
years, or both.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 712; Pub. L. 103-322, title XXXIII,
Sec. 330016(1)(K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Sec. 71 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321,
Sec. 27, 35 Stat. 1094).
Mandatory punishment provision was rephrased in the alternative.
Changes were made in phraseology.
Amendments
1994--Pub. L. 103-322 substituted ``fined under this title'' for
``fined not more than $5,000''.
