18 U.S.C. § 498 | Military or naval discharge certificates

1 See 1994 Amendment note below.

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  or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

June 25, 1948, ch. 645 62 Stat. 712 Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(K)Sept. 13, 1994108 Stat. 2147(, ; , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Mar. 4, 1917, ch. 180 39 Stat. 1182Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940, ed., § 136 (, ).

section 2 of this titleReference to any person causing, procuring, aiding or assisting was omitted as unnecessary as such persons are made principals by .

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.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 103–3221994—, 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.