Is it a Crime to Open or Take Someone’s Mail?

Most people will tell you staling mail is a “federal offense”. Well, the experienced Baltimore criminal defense lawyer Attorney Eric T. Kirk will tell you it is a state crime as well.

Under federal law:

‘Whoever steals or by deception obtains, any mail, from any post office, or station thereof, letter box, mail receptacle, or or from a letter or mail carrier, or secretes, embezzles, or destroys any such letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail, or any article or thing contained therein’, has committed a felony.

Source: 18 USC section 1708.

In contrast, the state crime is opening mail that is not addressed to you. An aggressive criminal defense lawyer in Baltimore may well be able to keep his or her client charged with the state crime from doing serious time. Whereas the federal penalty can be up to five years, the state penalty is a maximum of 6 days.

I’ve made a career of battling the State, to ensure a fair outcome for those I represent. I’d be happy to take a complimentary look at your case and offer my opinions and advice. Feel free to contact me today to schedule a discussion.