Any citizen of the United States who, within the jurisdiction thereof, accepts and exercises a commission to serve a foreign prince, state, colony, district, or people, in war, against any prince, state, colony, district, or people, with whom the United States is at peace, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 745; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(I), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)
Historical and Revision NotesBased on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 21 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 9, 35 Stat. 1089).
Mandatory punishment provision was rephrased in the alternative.
Minor changes in phraseology were made.
Editorial Notes
Amendments1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $2,000”.