§ 1501. Assault on process server

Whoever knowingly and willfully obstructs, resists, or opposes any officer of the United States, or other person duly authorized, in serving, or attempting to serve or execute, any legal or judicial writ or process of any court of the United States, or United States magistrate judge; or

Whoever assaults, beats, or wounds any officer or other person duly authorized, knowing him to be such officer, or other person so duly authorized, in serving or executing any such writ, rule, order, process, warrant, or other legal or judicial writ or process—

Shall, except as otherwise provided by law, be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 769; Pub. L. 90–578, title IV, § 402(b)(2), Oct. 17, 1968, 82 Stat. 1118; Pub. L. 101–650, title III, § 321, Dec. 1, 1990, 104 Stat. 5117; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(F), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.) Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 245 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 140, 35 Stat. 1114).

The phrase “Except as otherwise expressly provided by law” was inserted because sections 2231, 2232, and 2233 of this title provide greater penalties for obstructing service of search warrants.

Mandatory provisions were rephrased in the alternative.

Minor changes were made in phraseology.

Editorial Notes Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $300” in last par.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries Change of Name

“United States magistrate judge” substituted for “United States magistrate” in text pursuant to section 321 of Pub. L. 101–650, set out as a note under section 631 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure. Previously, “United States magistrate” substituted for “United States commissioner” pursuant to Pub. L. 90–578. See chapter 43 (§ 631 et seq.) of Title 28.

Reference to United States magistrate or to magistrate deemed to refer to United States magistrate judge pursuant to section 321 of Pub. L. 101–650, set out as a note under section 631 of Title 28.

Short Title of 2002 Amendment

Pub. L. 107–204, title VIII, § 801, July 30, 2002, 116 Stat. 800, provided that: “This title [enacting sections 1348, 1514A, 1519, and 1520 of this title, amending section 523 of Title 11, Bankruptcy, and section 1658 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 994 and 1658 of Title 28] may be cited as the ‘Corporate and Criminal Fraud Accountability Act of 2002’.”

Short Title of 1982 Amendment

Pub. L. 97–291, § 1, Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1248, provided: “That this Act [enacting sections 1512 to 1515, 3579, and 3580 of this title, amending sections 1503, 1505, 1510, and 3146 of this title and Rule 32 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 1512 and 3579 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Victim and Witness Protection Act of 1982’.”