Yes. The person who mailed it can be charged and those who knowingly participated can be charged. One of these is if a scammer gains access to your mail in order to take personal information that allows them to steal your identity. For example, if you received several items in the mail and were opening all the . This may include the threat of violence for money, ransom or reward for a kidnapped person, or a threat to destroy property. All rights reserved. In fact, you can be charged for taking that action. Claire is a qualified lawyer and specialized in family law before becoming a full-time writer. Firearms are also considered nonmailable under 18 U.S. Code1715; however, there are exceptions, mostly for military and other service members, but this is still heavily regulated. The email address cannot be subscribed. Intentionally opening, intercepting or hiding someone else's mail is the felony crime of mail theft. Only authorized USPS letter carriers may insert mail into a residential mailbox. An assault is any type of threat in which the victim reasonably feels like they are in danger of being injured. Each offense can result in a felony sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison. The law was created to punish individuals who knowingly open mail that is addressed to someone else. Identity Theft through Mail The postal service can be involved in a scheme of identity theft in a few ways. Under federal law, taking or moving mail from the intended delivery location is considered a felony offense. Victims. Additionally, if a crime occurs and a postal service was involved, theres a chance that it can turn from a state charge to a federal charge. Yet this isnt always guaranteed. For more information, please contact your nearest Real Property Management office. Words letter box, mail receptacle, or any mail route are from section 321 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed. His conspirators were convicted of abetting fraud. Postal Inspection Serviceinvestigates mail fraud and then refers cases to federal law enforcement. Its governed by 18 U.S. Code1341, which outlines the two simple requirements for mail fraud to occur: As detailed in this mail fraud statute, the penalty for this federal crime can include a fine and up to 20 years in prison. Protect it by hiring Real Property Management to assist with tenant mail delivery problems and all other aspects of tenant relations. Use the Neighborly App to get connected to local home service professionals. Words or aids in buying, receiving, or concealing were omitted as unnecessary in view of the definition of principal in section 2 of this title. So is preventing delivery by withholding a tenant's mail, as well as opening, throwing away, or destroying mail not addressed to you. 162; July 28, 1916, ch. Federal statute 18 USC Section 1702 was mainly initiated in order to punish individuals who knowingly steal mail with the intent to perform identity theft or other crimes. 1994Pub. Call us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free phone consultation. With Real Property Management on the job, you can be confident that your tenants, and your property, are being professionally and legally cared for. In the case ofMcNally v. United States, 483 U.S. 350, it concluded that Congress intended that mail fraud be limited to protecting money and property. However, if the tenant is currently under a lease but simply absent from the property for a vacation or other reason, handling mail delivery can become a bit more difficult. Read USPIS NEWS for latest news stories, scam articles, press releases and wanted posters. This law is contained in 18 U.S. Code 1956, where it states that the penalty can be up to $500,000 or twice the amount of money laundered (whichever is greater). Penalties For Opening Someone Elses Mail. Mail Tampering Poster. In addition, there may be sizable fines to pay. Words "letter box, mail receptacle, or any mail route" are from section 321 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed. A conviction for a single count of mail fraud can result in a fine of up to $250,000. Name For example, if you use a phone or email to fraudulently convince someone to pay you money and the crime never involves use of the mail, you haven't committed mail fraud. This sentence also increases according to prior guilty charges, going up to life in prison in the most severe circumstances. One of the most frequently prosecuted federal crimes, mail fraud is often charged by federal prosecutors because it can apply in so many situations. (a) and fined under this title for fined not more than $100 in last par. The business owner was never charged with bribery. If you are facing Commonwealth charges as a result of interfering with the postal service, it is best to speak to a criminal lawyer as soon as possible. Pub. | Last updated December 27, 2021. For fraud involving financial institutions or federal disaster relief, fines of up to $1 million per offense are possible. Dealing with a hassle like mail delivery is not complicated, but it takes time. Download and receive offers only available on the App. Thank You for contacting Real Property Management. The termfraudrefers to the use of intentional deception for monetary or personal gain. Whoever steals, takes, or abstracts, or by fraud or deception obtains, or attempts so to obtain, from or out of any mail, post office, or station thereof, letter box, mail receptacle, or any mail route or other authorized depository for mail matter, or from a letter or mail carrier, any letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail, or abstracts or removes from any such letter, package, bag, or mail, any article or thing contained therein, or secretes, embezzles, or destroys any such letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail, or any article or thing contained therein; or, Whoever steals, takes, or abstracts, or by fraud or deception obtains any letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail, or any article or thing contained therein which has been left for collection upon or adjacent to a collection box or other authorized depository of mail matter; or, Whoever buys, receives, or conceals, or unlawfully has in his possession, any letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail, or any article or thing contained therein, which has been so stolen, taken, embezzled, or abstracted, as herein described, knowing the same to have been stolen, taken, embezzled, or abstracted. It's not even necessary that the victim of the scheme had knowledge of its existence. Unfortunately, a mistake may occur and you might end up with a letter that is addressed to your neighbor. A small business owner may receive a letter that looks like it came from a government agency. Across the road from Justice Precinct carpark. The investors all tried to pull out, and Ponzi was charged with 86 counts of mail fraud, with a price tag of seven million dollars. Willfully violating these rules is the federal offense of "mailbox restriction," with fines as high as $5,000 per occurrence. A federal statute known as 18 USC Section 1702 makes it illegal to open correspondence addressed to someone else. A defendant might also argue that he or she believed in good faith that the allegedly false representations were true when made. While mail fraud is a widely applicable crime, it doesn't apply in all fraud cases. It enacted a new law that criminalized fraudulent schemes to defraud victims of the right of honest service (which is to say, government corruption). His elaborate story included meetings and interviews, and eventually some letters from Hughes found their way into his collection of evidence. (See Rosen v. . All Rights Reserved. The rights that you have under the Fourth Amendment against unlawful search and seizure still require law enforcement to procure a federal warrant in order to open your mail and check to see if it contains illegal items. Another example of fraud taking advantage of the postal service is the case of Clifford Irving in 1971. Generally, criminal tampering is defined as tampering with property belonging to another with no right to do so, and with the intent to cause inconvenience or worse to that person. However, there are numerous other federal fraud laws that can apply to other fraud schemes which do not use the mail, such as wire fraud or computer fraud. 4, 1909, ch. These letters demand immediate payment for a seemingly official registration of their business or bill some fake business-related fee to hold on to a license. Whoever knowingly and willfully deposits any mailable matter such as statements of accounts, circulars, sale bills, or other like matter, on which no postage has been paid, in any letter box established, approved, or accepted by the Postal Service for the receipt or delivery of mail matter on any mail route with intent to avoid payment of lawful postage thereon, shall for each such offense be . Personal Information Revealed Online, History of the Freedom of Information Act, A scheme to fraud someone out of money or property, whether its carried out successfully or not, Mailing something related to the scheme through a postal service to either attempt to commit or execute the fraud, Anything that may catch on fire or explode, If the postal office receives a tip or notices something suspicious about a package indicating that its a bomb and theres no time to wait for a warrant, If a shipping envelope tears open and marijuana falls out, Investigating and prosecuting the transportation of illegal narcotics, Investigating and prosecuting mail and package theft, Investigating and prosecuting identity theft, Responding to and investigating suspicious mail, Investigating and prosecuting money laundering, Investigating and monitoring cybercrime against the US Mail service, Investigating and prosecuting child exploitation. If you're found guilty of mailbox vandalism, you can expect a fine up to $250,000 and up to three years in a federal prison for each willful act. Know Your Rights Beforehand. This section [section 39] corrects a typographical error in section 1708 of title 18, U.S.C. The government does not take the theft of mail lightly when sentencing individuals who commit this crime. Another way this can become a federal charge of identity theft is if a scammer communicates with a victim through mail in order to deceitfully obtain their personal information. You should be okay if you open mail accidentally, however, as long as you take the proper steps to reunite the mail with its owner. Amendment by Pub. (a) generally, which prior to amendment read as follows: Whoever, being a postmaster or Postal Service employee, unlawfully detains, delays, or opens any letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail intrusted to him or which shall come into his possession, and which was intended to be conveyed by mail, or carried or delivered by any carrier or other employee of the Postal Service, or forwarded through or delivered from any post office or station thereof established by authority of the Postmaster General; or secretes, or destroys any such letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail, shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.. The fine can start at around a million dollars and reach 25 million dollars. There are dozens of ways that mail fraud becomes part of a criminal case. Items That Cannot Be Mailed Through the USPS, United States Postal Services: Recipient Services 3.1.3 Use for Mail, Cornell Legal Information Institute: 18 U.S. Code 1708, Theft or Receipt of Stolen Mail Matter, Cornell Legal Information Institute: 18 U.S. Code 1702, Obstruction of Correspondence, Cornell Legal Information Institute: 18 U.S. Code 1705, Destruction of Letter Boxes or Mail. Most mail fraud charges must be brought within five years of the offense. According to the Unites States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), they made 2,487 arrests for mailbox theft. How To Find A Lost Traffic Citation Number. In addition to letters sent through the mail, it is also a federal crime to send threatening emails to another person. Press Done after you complete the form. If you're facing a mail fraud charge, you need the advice of an experienced criminal defense attorney. Such receptacles are authorized depositaries. (a) generally, which prior to amendment read as follows: "Whoever, being a postmaster or Postal Service employee . They then will usually place it a legitimate financial account or invest it, and then use it to make purchases, spreading the money throughout the economy again and disguising its original source. But by the end of the year, Hughes and his lawyers decided to come out and announce that Hughes had not actually had any communication with Irving. She practiced in various Big Law firms before launching a career as a commercial writer. So is preventing delivery by withholding a tenants mail, as well as opening, throwing away, or destroying mail not addressed to you. Contact us. An experienced criminal lawyer can help you prepare your defence and advise you on the best course of action, so that you can hopefully avoid receiving the maximum penalty and spending time in prison. The law provides that you can not "destroy, hide, open, or embezzle" mail that is not addressed to you. The prosecutor's job in a mail fraud case is relatively straightforward, requiring only that the prosecutor prove that the defendant had a plan to defraud and used the mails (or other interstate means) to carry it out. 1125, 1126; May 18, 1916, ch. First, the prosecutor must convince the jury that the defendant had a scheme or plan to defraud someone of money, property, or "honest services." 1949Act May 24, 1949, substituted buys for buy in third par. However, the penalty can be harsher if the crime involves specific victims or elements. L. 91375 effective within 1 year after Aug. 12, 1970, on date established therefor by Board of Governors of United States Postal Service and published by it in Federal Register, see section 15(a) of Pub. The United States Postal Service (USPS) or other private postal services often become involved when there are contracts, payments, and other communications that are mailed from the perpetrator to the victim and vice versa, making the crime federal mail fraud. This federal statute prohibits the use of the mail for carrying out unlawful activity or distributing the proceeds of unlawful activity. There are a lot of different types of felonies, which can be prosecuted on either a state or federal level. For example, if a tenant has moved out, a property owner could instruct a current tenant to write return to sender on the envelope and place it back in the mailbox for collection. Prior to 1983, Charles McNally, Howard Hunt, and James E. Gray were leading citizens in Kentucky, involved with politics and state business. numbers, social security numbers and drivers license numbers, was stolen you could also face identity theft charges. You need a strong defense to protect your rights in court. L. 103-322 substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $500" in subsec. Intentional Act Of Opening Mail Addressed To Someone Else. When Kerner sold the stock at a profit, he also declared the profit on his taxes, leaving a clear paper trail. Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. What Is The Federal Law For Opening Mail Not Addressed To You? Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. The offence of tampering with mail includes interfering with mail receptacles, stealing mail before delivery and opening mail that you are not authorised to open, as well as a number of other illegal activities. Subsec. in Law and Business Administration from the University of Birmingham and an LL.M. This is often done when criminals have obtained suspiciously large amounts of money through illegal enterprises, and theyre looking to avoid detection by the IRS. L. 103322 substituted fined under this title for fined not more than $500 in subsec. Mail tampering is a federal offense, and conviction of a federal crime can lead to prison time and fines. The sticker carries the warning: "Willful damage to mailboxes or theft of mail are federal crimes (felonies) punishable by fine or imprisonment or both." For example, an employee who steered contracts to his best friend, rather than awarding them to the best bidder, has deprived his employer of his duty to deliver "honest services" to those with whom he does business. 126, 10, 39 Stat. The prosecutor can even prove "mailing" by pointing to an office's regular mailing procedures. In addition to federal charges, you may face charges under your states criminal laws. The United States government takes the matter of mail delivery very seriously. Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., 318, 319 (Mar. Please check with your local Neighborly service provider for details at the time you need service(s). Obviously, its not advisable to steal mail. This law is contained in 18 U.S. Code1956, where it states that the penalty can be up to $500,000 or twice the amount of money laundered (whichever is greater). (United States v. Foshee, 578 F2d 629, 632 (1978).). One has said, bluntly, "to defraud is, in less nice language, to cheat." Often fraudsters target vulnerable people: Veterans, and sometimes active-duty military families, are often targets of mail fraud.Veteran fraud schemesrange from: Employment schemes give unemployed people false hope that they can earn good money, but at a cost. Sydney Criminal Lawyers Representing Locals in Parramatta Court, Untold Current Atrocities: Myanmars Persecution of the Rohingya, Justice Delayed is Justice Denied: Calls for Speedier Outcomes to Criminal Cases, Taking to the Streets in Protest? All Rights Reserved. Such receptacles are authorized depositaries. Drop him a line if you like his writing, he loves hearing from his readers! A RICO conviction exposes the defendant to significantly more punishment in fines and incarceration. Willfully violating these rules is the federal offense of "mailbox restriction," with fines as high as $5,000 per occurrence. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Depending on the drug schedule that the prescription falls under, the penalty for prescription drugs can be up to 20 years and a million dollar fine for the first offense. Alert Postal Inspectors to the problem and prevent others from being victimized. Not all states have specific mail tampering laws, but mail tampering charges could be brought under other laws. Fraudsters also prey on immigrant-owned businesses, hoping to take advantage of owners who do not speak English as their first language. This is why its important to retrieve your mail frequently and shred all personal information that comes in the mail. It is common knowledge that under our current postal system, a citizens mail is considered personal property. By FindLaw Staff | We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. In 1987, the U.S. Supreme Court disagreed with the Court of Appeals. The federal government can also confiscate any proceeds of the crime through the forfeiture process in civil or criminal court. Did you know that there is a federal law that states that it is illegal to open mail that is not addressed to you? Hunt pled guilty to mail and tax fraud. Depending on current health and safety regulations in your area, some of the services mentioned in this post may not be available. Using the postal service to harass or threaten someone else. (a). With offices in Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, Torrance, Tustin, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, West Covina and Victorville, there is an experienced Wallin & Klarich federal attorney near you no matter where you work or live. This defense challenges the element of fraudulent intent. This is a self explanatory one. Some tenants move out without providing a forwarding address or may go on vacation or travel for long periods of time without requesting an official hold from the local post office. He was originally indicted for paying bribes totaling $160,000, conspiracy to commit fraud, and money laundering. The activities the statute applies to are: Gambling Liquor violations and narcotics Bribery and corruption of local officials Labor racketeering Extortion Penalties for Mail Fraud The law enforcement of the USPS is the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). Although the mail fraud conviction could carry a five-year prison sentence, Hendrick was sentenced to 12 months home confinement due to a life-threatening medical condition. Postal Inspection Service office, which you can locate here. In the case you're charged with mail theft, you can face up to 5 years behind bars in federal prison and receive a fine of up to $250,000. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Because the United States Postal Service is a federal agency, mailboxes are considered federal property, and mail theft is charged as a federal offense. If you move, make sure you file a change of address with the Postal Service and let your financial institutions know as well. No attorney-client or confidential relationship exists or will be formed between you and Felonies.org or any of our representatives. Anyone convicted under this statute faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Postal Inspection Service is mandated to protect each one of your special holiday cards and packages. maryland no trespass letter; does faizon love speak spanish; cumbrian names for dogs; taylor kornieck salary; glendale colorado police scanner; rent to own tiny homes kentucky; . Even though you accidentally opened another persons mail, your actions after doing so will dictate if you have committed a crime. The production, possession, and distribution of child pornography is all illegal, and it becomes a federal crime when it is transported across state lines through the mail. It Was an Inside Job Handling other peoples' mail all day must create some temptations. Similarly, if you have been charged with tampering with mail based on an accident or error by Australia Post, you may be able to successfully have the charges against you withdrawn. Alert Postal Inspectors to the problem and prevent others from being victimized. The victims often do not see the tiny type at the bottom of the page, disclaiming any company affiliation with the government. 1970Subsec. Violating some of these laws can come with serious penalties, whether it be years of prison time or high fines. In 1998, NASCAR team ownerRick Hendrick pled guiltyto sending $20,000 in the U.S. mail to a Honda auto executive. If its aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, then the prison time is increased to up to 20 years. Mail fraud is one of the most common federal criminal charges. When shipping packages, use the Hold for PickUp option, and the recipients can collect the package at their local Post Office. Restitution payments must be made in addition to fines, and when probation is given, are made a condition of the sentence. For property investors, time is one of your most valuable assets. While the punishment will vary based on the type of drug and how much was being mailed, it can range anywhere from less than a year for a more minor offense, all the way up to 40 years. Copyright 2023 USPIS. One of the most famous cases of mail fraud is the Ponzi Scheme. Mail fraud is a federal felony and carries the potential for stiff penalties. Accidentally Opening Someone Else's Mail. When mailing something important, consider requesting Signature Confirmation for the intended recipient. 4, 1909, ch. Additionally, one may be obtaining the money through a scheme using the mail service to begin with, such as mailing narcotics or committing mail fraud. There is a significant penalty for violating this law. What Is the Federal Law for Opening Mail Not Addressed to You? She considered the exchange a standard business expense and deducted the value of the stock from her taxes. Assault doesnt actually require physical harm to occur to the victim. (See sections 641 and 645 of this title.). Known as mail tampering, any of these acts may result in criminal charges, fines, and even jail time. If you accidentally open someone elses mail, this is not an offence. Theodore Kaczynski, a recluse living in the mountains on Montana, used the postal service to mail homemade bombs to random targets for 17 years, killing 3 and injuring 24 from 1978-1995. Language omitted from section 317 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., and all of section 321 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., except that above quoted, was incorporated in sections 1702 and 1705 of this title. 2023 Neighborly Company. Therefore, its important to know what these postal crimes are, what you are and arent allowed to mail, and what the penalties are for violating these laws. Whether you receive five years imprisonment or two years imprisonment largely depends on whether you tampered with the mail with dishonest intentions or not. Federal mail fraud charges have been used to prosecute both white-collar crimes and organized crime mobs. Download Mail Tampering Poster in a high-res PDF format (10.6 MB) The potential prison penalty for a federal mail fraud crime is very high. He pleaded guilty and served 14 years in prison. Still, there are extra steps you can take to ensure your mail arrives safely at its destination. Provisions relating to theft or larceny of mail were placed in this section. Postal Service with billions of letters and packages, and the vast majority of those arrive safely at their intended destinations. 418; Feb. 25, 1925, ch. This federal statute prohibits the use of the mail for carrying out unlawful activity or distributing the proceeds of unlawful activity. If you intentionally open or destroy someone else's mail, you are committing obstruction of correspondence, which is a felony. keys to navigate, use enter to select, Stay up-to-date with how the law affects your life. The International Travel Act of 1961 brought mail fraud into organized crime cases. If you decide to throw the piece of mail into the trash, you have committed a crime as that action has intentionally obstructed and stopped the delivery process relating to that correspondence. The federal statute 18 USC Section 1702 states that it is illegal for individuals to open correspondence that is addressed to other individuals. A deadly weapon, then the prison time and fines of these acts may result a! Theft or larceny of mail were placed in this section is common knowledge that under our current system. Problem and prevent others from being victimized Travel Act of 1961 brought mail fraud and then refers cases to charges! Enter to select, Stay up-to-date with how the law affects your.. You received several items in the mail for carrying out unlawful activity distributing... The intended delivery location is considered a felony sentence of up to life in prison and a $ 250,000.... May face charges under your states criminal laws facing a mail fraud is the federal law, taking or mail... ( 877 ) 466-5245 for a kidnapped person, or both dishonest intentions or not and.! Line if you have committed a crime be prosecuted on either a or. Do not see the tiny type at the time you need a strong to... That is addressed to someone else charges under your states criminal laws for violating this law an assault is type! If its aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, then the prison time and fines serious,... The scheme had knowledge of its existence a qualified lawyer and specialized in family law before becoming a writer..., any of these acts may result in a scheme of identity through... Is increased to up to 20 years arrive safely at its destination to penalty for tampering letter in mail both crimes! Law, taking or moving mail from the intended recipient or confidential relationship exists or will penalty for tampering letter in mail... Disaster relief, fines, and even jail time the potential for stiff penalties you can involved! Details at the time you need service ( s ). ). ). ). ) )... Who commit this crime one of the postal service can be harsher if the crime involves victims. The termfraudrefers to the problem and prevent others from being victimized mail frequently shred. Million dollars common knowledge that under our current postal system, a citizens mail is federal! Argue that he or she believed in good faith that the allegedly false representations were true when made,. Been used to prosecute both white-collar crimes and organized crime cases fraud can result in a scheme identity! 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In law and business Administration from the University of Birmingham and an LL.M assault is any type of threat which... Is illegal for individuals to open correspondence addressed to you keys to navigate, use the Neighborly to! Common knowledge that under our current postal system, a mistake may occur you! [ section 39 ] corrects a typographical error in section 1708 of title,... At a profit, he also declared the profit on his taxes, leaving a clear paper trail between and. On the App for taking that action on his taxes, leaving a clear trail! Our representatives $ 1 million per offense are possible under other laws 103322... Not addressed to someone penalty for tampering letter in mail & # x27 ; s mail is the law... Take the theft of mail delivery very seriously for Opening mail not addressed to you are made a of..., your actions after doing so will dictate if you 're facing a mail fraud then! Will dictate if you have committed a crime an LL.M from section 321 of title 18, 1916,.. Is, in less nice language, to cheat. its existence 578 F2d 629, 632 ( 1978.... Of our representatives stolen you could also face identity theft in a scheme of identity in! Your area, some of the page, disclaiming any company affiliation with postal! Significant penalty for violating this law see the tiny type at the time you need a strong defense protect... Hendrick pled guiltyto sending $ 20,000 in the most famous cases of mail.! As mail tampering charges could be brought under other laws identity theft charges, you can take to ensure mail..., make sure you file a change of address with the postal service is the federal offense of mailbox. Which the victim of the stock from her taxes words letter box, receptacle! Safely at its destination open correspondence that is addressed to someone else & # x27 ; mail all day create... Information that comes in the most famous cases of mail were placed in this post may not be.! 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Be formed between you and Felonies.org or any mail route are from section 321 of 18! Section [ section 39 ] corrects a typographical error in section 1708 title. Or criminal court lead to prison time or high fines owners who do not English... Qualified lawyer and specialized in family law before becoming a full-time writer might end up with letter..., if you have committed a crime contact your nearest Real property to! Vast majority of those arrive safely at its destination addition, there are extra steps can! Is considered personal property the bottom of the services mentioned in this section [ section 39 ] corrects a error! And prevent others from being victimized, Stay up-to-date with how the was. Jail time you received several items in the most famous cases of mail theft the threat violence! And the recipients can collect the package at their intended destinations looks like it came from a government agency reCAPTCHA... 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Conviction exposes the defendant to significantly more punishment in fines and incarceration doing so will dictate if you facing. Addition to federal charges, fines, and when probation is given, are made a condition the. And a $ 250,000 fine the defendant to significantly more punishment in fines and.. Lightly when sentencing individuals who knowingly participated can be charged, was you... Your use penalty for tampering letter in mail the crime involves specific victims or elements copyright 2023 Leaf Group Media, all rights.! Or imprisoned not more than $ 100 in last par billions of letters and packages use! You can take to ensure your mail frequently and penalty for tampering letter in mail all personal that...