Destruction of veterans' memorials
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
(a) Whoever, in a circumstance described in subsection (b), injures or destroys, or to injure or destroy, any structure, plaque, statue, or other monument on public property commemorating the service of any person or persons in the armed forces of the United States shall be , imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.
(b) A circumstance described in this subsection is that—
(1) in committing the offense described in subsection (a), the defendant travels or causes another to travel in , or uses the mail or an instrumentality of ; or
(2) the structure, plaque, statue, or other monument described in subsection (a) is located on property owned by, or under the jurisdiction of, the Federal Government.
History: (Added Pub. L. 108–29, §2(a), May 29, 2003, 117 Stat. 772.)
Simplified explanation
It is a federal crime to willfully damage or destroy a monument, statue, plaque, or other structure on public property that honors people who served in the U.S. armed forces. The crime applies when the memorial is on federal property or the offender crosses state lines or uses the mail or interstate commerce.