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VOLUME 7 - CHAPTER 103
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103.7 Mail Theft And Mail Fraud

    103.7.2 Mail Theft And Mail Fraud: Miscellaneous Issues

    103.7.2.1 Mail Theft And Mail Fraud: Applicability Of Theft/Larceny Issues
    103.7.2.2 Mail Theft: Misdelivered and Misaddressed Mail
    103.7.2.3 Mail Theft and Fraud: Whether Limited To State-Law Duties
    103.7.2.4 Mail Theft And Mail Fraud: Materiality Is An Element

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VOLUME 7 - CHAPTER 103

    103.7.2.1    Mail Theft And Mail Fraud: Applicability Of Theft/Larceny Issues

    See FORECITE National™ 103.1.2 [Theft/Larceny: Miscellaneous Issues].

    See FORECITE National™ 103.2.2 [Theft/Larceny By False Pretenses: Miscellaneous Issues].

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VOLUME 7 - CHAPTER 103

    103.7.2.2    Mail Theft: Misdelivered And Misaddressed Mail

PRACTICE NOTE: It has been held that 18 USC 1708 criminalizing theft of mail does not apply to misaddressed mail because such mail is no longer in the possession of the Post Office once it has been delivered to the address written on the letter. (See U.S. v. Lavin (3rd Cir. 1977) 567 F2d 579, 583; U.S. v. Anton (9th Cir.1976) 547 F2d 493, 495 [section 1708 applies to misaddressed mail so long as the named recipient has filed a change of address form but the letter is mistakenly delivered to the recipient’s prior address]; but see United States v. Coleman (2nd Cir. 1999) 196 F3d 83, 85 [discussing conflict in circuits].)

See generally, FORECITE National™ 305.20.3 [Theft/Larceny].

See FORECITE National™ 103.7.1.2 [Mail Theft And Mail Fraud: Federal Circuit Model Instructions And Notes].

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VOLUME 7 - CHAPTER 103

    103.7.2.3    Mail Theft And Mail Fraud: Whether Limited To State-Law Duties

PRACTICE NOTE: The 5th Circuit limits mail fraud prosecutions to frauds involving breaches of state-law duties. (See U.S. v. Brumley (5th Cir. 1997) 116 F3d 728, 734; but see United States v. Martin (7th Cir. 1999) 195 F3d 961, 965 [7th Circuit restates its position and that of four other circuits that the fraud element of mail fraud under 18 USC 1341 may be predicated on breached fiduciary duties created by federal law].)

See generally, FORECITE National™ 305.20.3 [Theft/Larceny].

See FORECITE National™ 103.7.1.2 [Mail Theft And Mail Fraud: Federal Circuit Model Instructions And Notes].

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VOLUME 7 - CHAPTER 103

    103.7.2.4    Mail Theft And Mail Fraud: Materiality Is An Element

PRACTICE NOTE:  See Neder v. U.S. (1999) 527 US 1, 25 [119 SCt 1827; 144 LE2d 35] [materiality of falsehood is an element of the federal mail fraud (18 USC 1341), wire fraud (18 USC 1343) and bank fraud statutes (18 USC 1344)].