Communication Lines, Stations, or Systems (18 USC 1362)
- Destruction
- Interference
- Obstruction
- Delay
Title 18 U.S.C. Section 1362 is concerned with malicious mischief as it refers to communication mechanisms operated or controlled by the United States or intended for use by the military or a civil defense agency. This section of the U.S. code prohibits the destruction of, interference with, obstruction or delay of communication over phone or cable lines or other communication used for military defense functions. Even though this provision is very old, the breadth of the language is such that it can be used to charge those who launch denial of service attacks against the military or whose actions result in a significant disruption in military computer network communications. Since the provision has a maximum five year term of imprisonment, it qualifies as a felony offense \(of interest to military criminal investigation organizations and U.S. Attorney\'s Offices\) even when such conduct may not otherwise meet that threshold under 18 U.S.C. Section 1030.