§ 498. — Military or naval discharge certificates.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 18USC498]
TITLE 18--CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I--CRIMES
CHAPTER 25--COUNTERFEITING AND FORGERY
Sec. 498. Military or naval discharge certificates
Whoever forges, counterfeits, or falsely alters any certificate of
discharge from the military or naval service of the United States, or
uses, unlawfully possesses or exhibits any such certificate, knowing the
same to be forged, counterfeited, or falsely altered, shall be fined
under this title \1\ or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
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\1\ See 1994 Amendment note below.
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(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. 136 (Mar. 4, 1917, ch.
180, 39 Stat. 1182).
Reference to any person causing, procuring, aiding or assisting was
omitted as unnecessary as such persons are made principals by section 2
of this title.
At the end of this section words ``in the discretion of the court''
were omitted as unnecessary, as the punishment provisions, being framed
in the alternative by the use of the disjunctive ``or,'' vest in the
court the power to impose a fine or prison sentence in its discretion.
Changes in phraseology were made.
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.
