{"id":352118,"date":"2023-08-22T08:30:27","date_gmt":"2023-08-22T13:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/piracy-and-privateering.html"},"modified":"2023-08-22T08:30:27","modified_gmt":"2023-08-22T13:30:27","slug":"piracy-and-privateering","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/piracy-and-privateering.html","title":{"rendered":"Piracy Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Piracy Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Natalie Moritz<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Piracy under U.S. law refers to violent or criminal acts committed on the high seas, such as seizing ships or harming crew members, and includes privateering and related offenses. Modern cases like U.S. v. Ali<\/i> and U.S. v. Said<\/i> show how U.S. courts prosecute piracy regardless of nationality or location.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Piracy laws also criminalize acts like outfitting ships for hostile purposes or receiving stolen goods from pirate activity. The U.S. government prosecutes piracy as a serious international crime, even when committed by foreign nationals.<\/p>\n

This article reviews piracy laws in the United States and how they apply in modern times.<\/p>\n

A piracy\u00a0conviction can have life-altering consequences. If you are facing this type of charge, reach out to a criminal defense attorney<\/a> near you for legal advice. An attorney can\u00a0help you understand your charges, which likely involve complex U.S. and international law.<\/p>\n

What Is Piracy?<\/h2>\n

Piracy is defined in\u00a018 U.S. Code Chapter 81<\/a>. A number of criminal acts are covered under the\u00a0federal definition of piracy<\/a>. What makes those acts piracy \u2014 rather than just, for example, theft or murder \u2014 is that these crimes take place on the “high seas.” This means that an act of piracy happens outside\u00a0territorial waters, where no one nation has jurisdiction.<\/p>\n

Territorial water is the body of saltwater next to the shores of a country that extends for a\u00a0specific distance. Crimes occurring within that territory are charged under the laws of the country. Crimes outside that territory \u2014 on the high seas \u2014 are normally charged based on the laws of the land under whose flag the ship flies.<\/p>\n

U.S. law defines acts of piracy that endanger the safe navigation of ships as:<\/p>\n