7/25/2019 Federal Jurisdiction http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/federal-jurisdiction 1/25 Federal Jurisdiction It follows that a collateral attack may be made here for " acts or orders [of administrative ocers or agencies] which do not come clearly within the powers granted or which fall beyond the purview of the statute granting the agency or body its powers [such orders] are not merely erroneous, but are void. " * * * "They [ocers or agencies] are without power to act contrary to the provisions of the law or the clear legislative intendment, or to exceed the authority conferred on them by statute." [Emphasis added.] 73 C.J.S. !blic dmi#istrati$e %odies a#d roced!re & '() pp. 33+3,. #d see) -iebhardt $. asher) /30 Colo. '',) 0(1 .0d //17. 2la$ell $. E45E6 2 8E-24E C. 9 C. 2 E6:E4) 3'' . 0d (,/) (,3 + Colo; S!preme Co!rt /(<1. Martin Earl Fisher=s story About United States Jurisdiction he term ">#ited States" may be !sed i# a#y o#e of se$eral se#ses. It may be merely the #ame of a so$erei?# occ!pyi#? the positio# a#alo?o!s to that of other so$erei?#s i# a family of #atio#s. It may designate territory over which sovereignty of the United States extends) or it may be the collecti$e #ame of the States which are !#ited by a#d !#der the Co#stit!tio#. @oo$e# 9 lliso# Co. $. E$att) 30, >.S. <'0 A/(,'B <' S.Ct. 71) 1) ( -.Ed. /0'0 [bold emphasis added] he term ">#ited States") whe# !sed i# its territorial mea#i#?) e#compasses the areas of la#d de#ed i# rticle I) Sectio# ) Cla!se /7 A/;;/7B a#d ,;3;0) #othi#? more. I# this respect) the ">#ited States" is a separate 6atio# which is forei?# with respect to the States !#ited by a#d !#der the Co#stit!tio#) beca!se the ">#ited States" as s!ch has #e$er applied for admissio# to the >#io# of States k#ow# as the ">#ited States of merica". ccordi#?ly) stat!tory "citiDe#s of the >#ited States" who are "s!bect to the !risdictio# thereof" are de#ed i# the wordi#? of the so called /,th me#dme#t a#d of he Ci$il 4i?hts cts. t best) this so+called me#dme#t is a "pri$ate ct" rather tha# a p!blic act which desi?#ates a class of people who are !#iF!e to the territorial !risdictio# of the istrict of Col!mbia) the 2ederal erritories a#d ossessio#s) a#d the la#d which has bee# ceded by the -e?islat!res of the '1 States to the forei?# #atio#+state of the ">#ited States" for forts) ma?aDi#es) arse#als) dock+yards a#d "other #eedf!l b!ildi#?s" Asee /;;/7 a#d ,;3;0B. Collecti$ely) this territorial !risdictio# ca# be termed "he 2ederal Go#e" to disti#?!ish it !#iF!ely from the #atio# as a whole a#d from the '1 States of the >#io#. he "#atio#" ca#) therefore) be de#ed as the mathematical !#io# of the federal Do#e a#d the '1 States A!si#? the la#?!a?e of set theory.B he istrict of Col!mbia is tech#ically a corporatio# a#d is o#ly de#ed as a "State" i# its ow# codes a#d !#der I#ter#atio#al -aw Ae.?.) see I4C 771/AaBA/1BB. >6IE SES is a Corporatio# + here are wo Co#stit!tio#s
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he term ">#ited States" may be !sed i# a#y o#e of se$eral se#ses.
It may be merely the #ame of a so$erei?# occ!pyi#? the positio# a#alo?o!s to that of otherso$erei?#s i# a family of #atio#s. It may designate territory over which sovereignty of
the United States extends) or it may be the collecti$e #ame of the States which are !#ited
he term ">#ited States") whe# !sed i# its territorial mea#i#?) e#compasses the areas of la#d
de#ed i# rticle I) Sectio# ) Cla!se /7 A/;;/7B a#d ,;3;0) #othi#? more. I# this respect) the
">#ited States" is a separate 6atio# which is forei?# with respect to the States !#ited by a#d!#der the Co#stit!tio#) beca!se the ">#ited States" as s!ch has #e$er applied for admissio#
to the >#io# of States k#ow# as the ">#ited States of merica". ccordi#?ly) stat!tory
"citiDe#s of the >#ited States" who are "s!bect to the !risdictio# thereof" are de#ed i# the
wordi#? of the so called /,th me#dme#t a#d of he Ci$il 4i?hts cts. t best) this so+called
me#dme#t is a "pri$ate ct" rather tha# a p!blic act which desi?#ates a class of people who
are !#iF!e to the territorial !risdictio# of the istrict of Col!mbia) the 2ederal erritories a#d
ossessio#s) a#d the la#d which has bee# ceded by the -e?islat!res of the '1 States to the
forei?# #atio#+state of the ">#ited States" for forts) ma?aDi#es) arse#als) dock+yards a#d
"other #eedf!l b!ildi#?s" Asee /;;/7 a#d ,;3;0B. Collecti$ely) this territorial !risdictio# ca# be
termed "he 2ederal Go#e" to disti#?!ish it !#iF!ely from the #atio# as a whole a#d from the
'1 States of the >#io#. he "#atio#" ca#) therefore) be de#ed as the mathematical !#io# ofthe federal Do#e a#d the '1 States A!si#? the la#?!a?e of set theory.B
he istrict of Col!mbia is tech#ically a corporatio# a#d is o#ly de#ed as a "State" i# its ow#
codes a#d !#der I#ter#atio#al -aw Ae.?.) see I4C 771/AaBA/1BB.
>6IE SES is a Corporatio# + here are wo Co#stit!tio#s
# act to pro$ide a o$er#me#t for the istrict of Col!mbia.
%e it e#acted by the Se#ate a#d @o!se of 4eprese#tati$es of the >#ited States i# Co#?ress
assembled) hat all that part of the territory of the >#ited States i#cl!ded withi# the limits ofthe istrict of Col!mbia be) a#d the same is hereby) created i#to a ?o$er#me#t by the #ame
of the istrict of Col!mbia) by which #ame it is hereby co#stit!ted a body corporate for
m!#icipal p!rposes) a#d may co#tract a#d be co#tracted with) s!e a#d be s!ed) plead a#d be
impleaded) ha$e a seal) a#d eKercise all other powers of a m!#icipal corporatio# #ot
i#co#siste#t with the Co#stit!tio# a#d laws of the >#ited States a#d the pro$isio#s of this act.
he la#?!a?e of this act pro$ides that the ?o$er#me#t of the istrict Athe 2ederal
o$er#me#tB is a corporatio#) m!#icipal i# #at!re b!t still a corporatio#. 2!rthermore) istrict
citiDe#s A>#ited States citiDe#s + >. S. citiDe#sB will now be subject to cororation law as
well as law of the 4ep!blic.
Corporate law is pri$ate law e$e# tho!?ht the corporatio# is m!#icipal. e#erally we are led
to belie$e that these corporate laws are laws of the people beca!se they ha$e came from
Co#?ress... they are #ot) they are rivate laws and can only be alied by contract.
he >#ited States is a Corporatio#
!itle " U#S#$# %""&'d(
)*hen jurisdiction is challenged the burden of roof is on the government#)
)+o sanction can be imosed absent roof of jurisdiction#)
),nce challenged- jurisdiction cannot be .assumed.- it must be roved to exist/)Stanard v# ,lesen- 01 S#$t# 0&2
)!he law re3uires 45,,F ,F JU5IS6I$!I,+ to aear on the 5ecord of the
administrative agency and all administrative roceedings#) 7agans v# 8avine- 19"
U#S# "::
S!A+6I+; and JU5IS6I$!I,+
Sta#di#? is a reF!ireme#t ?ro!#ded i# rticle III of the >#ited States Co#stit!tio#)
a#d a defect i# sta#di#? ca##ot be wai$ed by the parties. Chapma# $. ier /
A3B #y la#ds reser$ed or acF!ired for the !se of the >#ited States) a#d !#der the eKcl!si$e or
co#c!rre#t !risdictio# thereof) or a#y place p!rchased or otherwise acF!ired by the >#ited
States by co#se#t of the le?islat!re of the State i# which the same shall be) for the erectio# of a
fort) ma?aDi#e) arse#al) dockyard) or other #eedf!l b!ildi#?.
s is readily appare#t) this s!bsectio#) a#d partic!larly its seco#d cla!se) bears a striki#?
resembla#ce to the /7th Cla!se of rticle I) Sec. of the Co#stit!tio#. his cla!se pro$ides;
he Co#?ress shall ha$e power. . . To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever ) o$ers!ch istrict A#ot eKceedi#? te# 5iles sF!areB as may) be Cessio# of partic!lar States) a#d the
accepta#ce of Co#?ress) become the Seat of the o$er#me#t of the >#ited States) a#d to
eKercise like !thority over all laces purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the !tate in
which the !ame shall be, for the "rection of #orts, $aga%ines, &rsenals, doc'()ards, and other
needful *uildings.
AEmphasis added.B he co#stit!tio#al phrase "eKcl!si$e le?islatio#" is the eF!i$ale#t of the
>#til the decisio# i# ravo) it had bee# ?e#erally accepted that whe# the >#ited States acF!iredproperty with the co#se#t of the state for a#y of the e#!merated p!rposes) it acF!ired eKcl!si$e
!risdictio# by operatio# of law) a#d a#y reser$atio# of a!thority by the state) other tha# the
ri?ht to ser$e ci$il a#d crimi#al process) was i#operable. !ee !urplus Trading Co. v. Coo' ) 0/
>.S. at <'0+'<. 8he# ravo held that a state mi?ht reser$e le?islati$e a!thority) e.?.) the ri?ht to
le$y certai# taKes) so lo#? as that did #ot i#terfere with the >#ited StatesP ?o$er#me#tal
f!#ctio#s) it became #ecessary for Co#?ress to ame#d / >.S.C. & 7A3B) by addi#? the words "so
as)" to restore crimi#al !risdictio# o$er those places pre$io!sly belie$ed to be !#der eKcl!si$e
2ederal le?islati$e !risdictio#. !ee @.4. 4ep. 6o. /<03) 7<th Co#?.) 3d Sess. / A/(,1BM S. 4ep. 6o.
/7) 7<th Co#?.) 3d Sess. / A/(,1B.
ravo also settled that the phrase "other #eedf!l b!ildi#?" was #ot to be strictly co#str!ed toi#cl!de o#ly military a#d #a$al str!ct!res) b!t was to be co#str!ed as "embraci#? whate$er
str!ct!res are fo!#d to be #ecessary i# the performa#ce of the f!#ctio# of the 2ederal
o$er#me#t." !ee +ames v. ravo Contracting Co.) 310 >.S. at /,0+,3. It therefore properly
embraces co!rtho!ses) c!stoms ho!ses) post oQces a#d locks a#d dams for #a$i?atio#
p!rposes.
he "str!ct!res" limitatio# does #ot) howe$er) pre$e#t the >#ited States from holdi#? or
acF!iri#? a#d ha$i#? !risdictio# o$er la#d acF!ired for other $alid p!rposes) s!ch as parks a#d
irri?atio# proects si#ce Cla!se /7 is #ot the eKcl!si$e method of obtai#i#? !risdictio#. he
>#ited States may also obtai# !risdictio# by reser$i#? it whe# so$erei?# title is tra#sferred to
the state !po# its e#try i#to the >#io# or by cessio# of !risdictio# after the >#ited States has
otherwise acF!ired the property. !ee Collins v. )osemite ar' Co.) 31, >.S. '/) '0(+31
A/(3BM +ames v. ravo Contracting Co.) 310 >.S. at /,0M!urplus Trading Co. v. Coo' ) 0/ >.S. at
"efe#se of lack of !risdictio# o$er the s!bect matter may be raised at a#y time) e$e# o#
appeal." @ill op e$elopers $. @oliday i#es Ser$ice Corp.) ,7 So. 0d. 3< A2la 0#d C /('B
"#ce challe#?ed) !risdictio# ca##ot be ass!med) it m!st be pro$ed to eKist." St!ck $. 5edical
EKami#ers) (, Ca 0d 7'/. 0// 0d 3(.
"here is #o discretio# to i?#ore that lack of !risdictio#." Joyce $. >S) ,7, 20d 0/'.
"he b!rde# shifts to the co!rt to pro$e !risdictio#." 4osemo#d $. -ambert) ,<( 20d ,/<.
" !#i$ersal pri#ciple as old as the law is that a proceedi#?s of a co!rt witho!t !risdictio# are a
#!llity a#d its !d?me#t therei# witho!t eLect either o# perso# or property." 6orwood $. 4e#eld)
3, C 30(M EK parte iambo#i#i) ,( . 730.
"J!risdictio# is f!#dame#tal a#d a !d?me#t re#dered by a co!rt that does #ot ha$e !risdictio#
to hear is $oid ab i#itio." I# 4e pplicatio# of 8yatt) 311 . /30M 4e Ca$itt) // 0d ,<.
"h!s) where a !dicial trib!#al has #o !risdictio# of the s!bect matter o# which it ass!mes toact) its proceedi#?s are absol!tely $oid i# the f!llest se#se of the term." illo# $. illo#) /7 07.
" co!rt has #o !risdictio# to determi#e its ow# !risdictio#) for a basic iss!e i# a#y case before
a trib!#al is its power to act) a#d a co!rt m!st ha$e the a!thority to decide that F!estio# i# the
rst i#sta#ce." 4esc!e rmy $. 5!#icipal Co!rt of -os #?eles) /7/ 0d M 33/ >S ',() (/ -. ed.
/<<<) <7 S.Ct. /,1(.
" depart!re by a co!rt from those reco?#iDed a#d established reF!ireme#ts of law) howe$er
close appare#t adhere#ce to mere form i# method of proced!re) which has the eLect of
I# order for a#y ?o$er#me#t a?e#cy) s!bsidiary or law to be applied to a# i#di$id!al merica#
CitiDe#) it m!st be rst pro$ed or ass!med that the ?o$er#me#t has !risdictio# i# this matter
o$er that partic!lar i#di$id!al for that time. Specically) before a# i#di$id!al ca# be char?ed a#d
co#$icted with a crime) the ?o$er#me#t oQcial or a?e#cy m!st pro$e !risdictio#. his is seldom
accomplished) a#d ma#y i#di$id!als lose a case a#d e$e# ?o to ail whe# #o o#e has pro$ed this
le?ally esse#tial iss!e.
6o where is this more commo# tha# i# I#ter#al 4e$e#!e Ser$ice cases a?ai#st so+called taK
protesters. he I4S almost #e$er attempts to pro$e !risdictio#. I# fact) !risdictio# is almost
#e$er e$e# addressed. If the i#di$id!al is correct i# hisRher claims that heRshe is #ot a taKpayer
as de#ed i# the I#ter#al 4e$e#!e Code) the# the I4S @S 6 J>4ISICI6 8ith #o !risdictio#
comes #o case a#d #o co#$ictio# %!t to wi#) !risdictio# 5>S be challe#?ed by the i#di$id!al)
a#d if challe#?ed s!ccessf!lly) the case is dismissed.
here are se$e# eleme#ts of !srisdictio#) all of which m!st be pro$ed by the prosec!tio# if
challe#?ed. If #ot challe#?ed) it will -8HS be ass!med by the co!rt that compete#t !risdictio#
is pro$ed a#d accepted by all parties.
If a#y eleme#t of the se$e# is #ot pro$ed) the case m!st be dismissed. he #ormal process i# a
case a?ai#st a so+called taK protester is to i?#ore the !risdictio# iss!e alto?ether) or else to
challe#?e !risdictio# while at the same time co#formi#? to proced!res a#d reF!ireme#ts that
ass!me !risdictio#. I# other words) o#e ca##ot alle?e the I4S has #o !risdictio# o$er o#e while
at the same time o#e co#ti#!es to le a 2orm /1,1 each year.
I# the $ery few I4S cases where !risdictio# is challe#?ed) almost always the !d?e will proclaim
!risdictio# from the be#ch. ["It is the opi#io# of this co!rt that the prosec!tio# has !risdictio# i#
this case) a#d eKercises it re?!larly) almost e$ery day. I do#Pt thi#k we #eed to ?o thro!?h all that
today."] his is a total $iolatio# of law a#d accepted co!rt proceed!res. %!t most federal !d?es
wo#Pt let that stop them %!t the o#e alle?i#? !risdictio# m!st pro$e !risdictio# if !risdictio# ischalle#?ed. >s!ally the defe#de#t char?ed with a crime is too i#timidated or i?#ora#t to
s!ccessf!lly challe#?e a !d?e o# this) b!t the !d?e 5>S be challe#?ed if heRshe proclaims that
the prosec!tio# AI4SB has !risdictio# i# this case. If heRshe is #ot s!ccessf!lly challe#?ed) almost
always the i#di$id!al will lose the case.
#e of the easiest a#d most commo# mea#s of alle?i#? !risdictio# o# the part of the
prosec!tio# AI4SB is to refer to the acc!sed as a "taKpayer." If that word is e$er !sed i# refere#ce
to the so+called taK protester)" it 5>S be immediately challe#?ed. ["I obect) yo!r @o#or. he
prosec!tio# has !st labeled me a taKpayer. 8hether or #ot I am a taKpayer is the $ery root iss!e
i# this case) a#d has #ot bee# pro$e# by the prosec!tio#. I respectf!lly reF!est that the word
PtaKpayerP be stricke# from the record a#d that the prosec!tio# be i#str!cted to #ot !se that
word a?ai# !#til it has pro$e# that I am i#deed a taKpayer."] If the defe#de#t does #ot challe#?e
that word) a#d similar tech#iF!es !sed by the I4S) the !d?e will ha$e le?al !sticatio# to
ass!me !risdictio#. f co!rse) if the defe#se has do#e its ob) the iss!e of taKpayer a#d
!risdictio# wo!ld already be established. he time to challe#?e !risdictio# is at the be?i##i#? of
the trial) #ot at the e#d whe# it looks like the i#di$id!al is abo!t to lose. If !risdictio# is to be
s!ccessf!lly challe#?ed) it m!st be at the $ery be?i##i#? of the trial. o allow the trial to co#ti#!e
at all is to admit to !risdictio#.
%elow are the se$e# iss!es of !risdictio# i# a#y a#d e$ery co!rt case. 4emember) if a#y o#e of
these se$e# are #ot pro$e# beyo#d a reaso#able do!bt) the case ca##ot co#ti#!e.
/. he acc!sed m!st be properly ide#tiedM ide#tied i# s!ch a fashio# there is #o room for
mistake# ide#tity. he i#di$id!al m!st be si#?led o!t from all othersM otherwise) a#yo#e
co!ld be s!bect to arrest a#d trial witho!t be#et of "wro#? party" defe#se. lmost
always the mea#s of ide#ticatio# is a perso#Ps proper #ame) %>) a#y mea#s of
ide#ticatio# is eF!ally $alid if said mea#s diLere#tiates the acc!sed witho!t do!bt. A%y
the way) there is #o co#stit!tio#ally $alid reF!ireme#t that yo! m!st ide#tify yo!rself to
the !d?e or to a#yo#e.B 2or stop a#d ide#tify iss!es A,th me#dme#tB see %row# $. eKas)
,,3 >S ,7 a#d Tole#der $ -awso#) ,</ >S 3'0.
0. he stat!te of oLe#se m!st be ide#tied by its proper or commo# #ame. #!mber is
i#s!Qcie#t. oday) a citiDe# may sta#d i# eopardy of crimi#al sa#ctio#s for alle?ed
$iolatio# of stat!tes) re?!latio#s) or e$e# low+le$el b!rea!cratic orders AeKample; Colorado
6atio#al 5o#!me#t S!peri#te#tde#tPs rders re?ardi#? a# !#leashed do?) or a do?
defecati#? o# a trailB. If a #!mber were to be deemed s!Qcie#t) ?o$er#me#t co!ld bri#?
#ew a#d diLere#t char?es at a#y time by alle?i#? clerical error. A"IPm sorry) yo!r @o#or. I
ass!med that the re?!latio# i#dicated by that #!mber was a le?itimate stat!te. 5y
secretary m!st ha$e made a# error."B 2or a#y act to be triable as a# oLe#se) it m!st bedeclared to be a crime. Char?es m!st #e?ate a#y eKceptio# formi#? part of the stat!tory
de#itio# of a# oLe#se) by aQrmati$e #o#+applicability. I# other words) a#y char?e m!st
aQrmati$ely #e?ate a#y eKceptio# fo!#d i# the law. EKample of eKceptio# from a case
where someo#e was o# trial for Sectio# 7013) 8ilf!ll 2ail!re to 2ileAa 2orm /1,1B; "...
thereof to make a ret!r# Aother tha# a ret!r# reF!ired !#der a!thority of <1/'B...
I#dictme#t or i#formatio# is defecti$e !#less e$ery fact which is a# eleme#t i# a prima
facie case of ?!ilt is stated. he ass!mptio# of a# eleme#t is #ot lawf!l. therwise) the
acc!sed will #ot be thoro!?hly i#formed. 0< >SC <1/0 is a #ecessary eleme#t of the
oLe#se. Si#ce <1/0 is#Pt cited) the i#formatio# is fatally defecti$e. dditio#ally) the
i#formatio# did #ot #e?ate the eKceptio# Aother tha# reF!ired !#der a!thority of sectio#
<1/'B." fter readi#? <1/0 a#d <1/') a#d k#owi#? that the esse#tial sectio# 7013
eleme#ts are; . 4eF!ired to perform. %. 2ailed to perform. C. 2ail!re was willf!l yo! may
wish to ask) "how ofte# is a $alid Sectio# 7013 i#dictme#t or other i#formatio# or
3. he acts of alle?ed oLe#se m!st be described i# #o#+pre!dicial la#?!a?e a#d detail so as
to e#able a perso# of a$era?e i#telli?e#ce to !#dersta#d #at!re of char?e Ato e#able
preparatio# of defe#seBM the act!al act or acts co#stit!ti#? the oLe#se complai#ed of. he
char?e m!st #ot be described by parroti#? the stat!teM #ot by the la#?!a?e of same. he
#ami#? of the acts of the oLe#se describe a specic oLe#se whereas the $erbia?e of astat!te describes o#ly a ?e#eral class of oLe#se. 2acts m!st be stated. Co#cl!sio#s ca##ot
be co#sidered i# the determi#atio# of probable ca!se.
,. he acc!ser m!st be #amed. @e may be a# oQcer or a third party. Some positi$ely
ide#tiable perso# Ah!ma# bei#?B m!st acc!se. Some certai# perso# m!st take
respo#sibility for the maki#? of the acc!satio#) #ot a# a?e#cy or a# i#stit!tio#. his is the
o#ly $alid mea#s by which a citiDe# may be?i# to face his acc!ser. lso) the i#!red party
Acorp!s delictiB m!st make the acc!satio#. @earsay e$ide#ce may #ot be pro$ided. #yo#e
else testifyi#? that he heard that a#other party was i#!red does #ot F!alify as direct
e$ide#ce.
'. he acc!satio# m!st be made !#der pe#alty of per!ry. If per!ry ca##ot reach the
acc!ser) there is #o acc!satio#. therwise) a#yo#e may acc!se a#other falsely witho!t
risk.
<. o comply with the $e eleme#ts abo$e) that is for the acc!satio# to be $alid) the acc!sed
m!st be accorded d!e process. cc!ser m!st ha$e complied with law) proced!re a#d form
i# bri#?i#? the char?e. his i#cl!des co!rt+determi#ed probable ca!se) s!mmo#s a#d
#otice proced!re. If lawf!l process may be abro?ated i# placi#? a citiDe# i# eopardy) the#
a#y mea#s may be !tiliDed to depri$e a ma# of his freedom. ll political disse#t may be
stiOed by !tiliDatio# of defecti$e process.
7. he co!rt m!st be o#e of compete#t !risdictio#. o ha$e $alid process) the trib!#al m!st
be a creat!re of its co#stit!tio#) i# accord with the law of its creatio#) i.e. a# article III
!d?e.
8itho!t the limiti#? factor of a co!rt of compete#t !risdictio#) all citiDe#s wo!ld be i# eopardy
of loss of liberty bei#? imposed at a#y b!rea!cratPs whim. It is co#cei$able that the proced!re
co!ld de$ol$e to o#e i# which the acc!ser) the trier of facts) a#d the eKec!tio#er wo!ld all be o#e
a#d the same.
he rst siK eleme#ts abo$e deal primarily with the iss!e of perso#al !risdictio#. he se$e#th
eleme#t Aalso eleme#t U0B addresses s!bect matter a#d territorial !risdictio#. S!bect matter !risdictio# is co#ferred by acts co#trolled by lawM territorial !risdictio# attaches by $e#!e of the
parties i# relatio# to the co!rt a#d to a#y tra#s+!risdictio#al acts a#dRor acti$ities of the parties
AeKte#ded territorial !risdictio# is co#ferred by co#tro$ersial lo#?+arm stat!tesB.
S>55I6 > the -8 a#d the -IICS
-acki#? a#y of the se$e# eleme#ts or portio#s thereof) A!#less wai$ed) i#te#tio#ally or
!#i#te#tio#allyB all desi?#ed to e#s!re a?ai#st f!rther prosec!tio# Ado!ble eopardyBM to i#form
co!rt of facts alle?ed for determi#atio# of s!Qcie#cy to s!pport co#$ictio#) sho!ld o#e be
obtai#ed. therwise) there is #o lawf!l #otice) a#d char?e m!st be dismissed for fail!re to state
a# oLe#se. 8itho!t lawf!l #otice) there is #o perso#al !risdictio# a#d all proceedi#?s prior to
li#? of a proper trial doc!me#t i# complia#ce with the se$e# eleme#ts is $oid. lawf!l act is
always le?al b!t ma#y le?al acts by ?o$er#me#t are ofte# !#lawf!l. 5ost b!rea!crats lack
eleme#tary k#owled?e a#d i#ce#ti$e to comply with the ma#dates of co#stit!tio#al d!e process.
hey will make mistakes. 6!mbers beyo#d co!#t ha$e bee# co#$icted witho!t be#et of
?o$er#me#tal adhere#ce to these se$e# eleme#ts. oday) i#formatio#s are bei#? led a#d
prosec!ted by "accepted practice" rather tha# d!e process of law.
See Corp!s J!ris Sec!#d!m ACJSB) :ol!me 7) Sectio# ,) ttor#ey 9 clie#t; he attor#eyPs rst d!ty
is to the co!rts a#d the p!blic) #ot to the clie#t) a#d where$er the d!ties to his clie#t co#Oict with
those he owes as a# oQcer of the co!rt i# the admi#istratio# of !stice) the former m!st yield to
the latter. Clie#ts are also called "wards" of the co!rt i# re?ard to their relatio#ship with their
attor#eys. fter yo! ha$e read the fore?oi#?) ask yo!r attor#ey to see a copy of "re?ardi#?
-awyer iscipli#e 9 other r!les" lso Ca#o#s / thro!?h (.
Corp!s J!ris Sec!#d!m ass!mes co!rts will operate i# a lawf!l ma##er. If the acc!sed makes this
ass!mptio#) he may lear#) to his detrime#t) thro!?h eKperie#ce) that certai# F!estio#s of law)
i#cl!di#? the F!estio# of perso#al !risdictio#) may #e$er be raised a#d addressed) especially
whe# the acc!sed is represe#ted by the bar. ASometimes lice#sed co!#sel appears to take o# the
characteristics of a foK ?!ardi#? the he# ho!se.B
J!risdictio#) o#ce challe#?ed) is to be pro$e#) #ot by the co!rt) b!t by the party attempti#? to
assert !risdictio#. he b!rde# of proof of !risdictio# lies with the asserter. he co!rt is o#ly to
r!le o# the s!Qcie#cy of the proof te#dered. Se 5c6!tt $. 5C) 0( >S /7. he ori?i#s of this
doctri#e of law may be fo!#d i# 5aKeldPs -essee $ -e$y) , >S 31.
6E; oday the co!rts are !#co#cer#ed with F!estio#s s!ch as whether or #ot the /<th or /7th
ame#dme#ts were e$er lawf!lly ratied. If the co!rts were to address this type of F!estio#
ho#estly) the ?o$er#me#t) with its h!?e b!rea!cracy a#d patro# special i#terests wo!ld be
placed i# eopardy. his pote#tial threat is #ot allowed #or will it e$er be. It is m!ch easier for the
co!rts to label s!ch pote#tial threats as political F!estio#s) poi#t to the late#ess of the clock a#d
ref!se to hear or r!le. 8hate$er the political !?er#a!t does) it !ses the facade of law to !stify or
reco#cile it. he o#ly way s!ch F!estio#s will ha$e force a#d eLect is if the ?e#eral p!blic
becomes aware a#d co#cer#ed with !stice bei#? based !po# law a#d #ot !st policy based o# a
facade of law.
If yo! do!bt s!ch words) please be ass!red that they are #ot !st words b!t are) i# fact) a#d
artic!latio# of the !#writte#) !#spoke#) prese#t p!blic policy) as e#forced by the co!rts i#
deali#? with challe#?es to ?o$er#me#tal acts a#d a!thority. 2or doc!me#tatio#) see >S $ 8H6E
8JS) ' C4 , i# the >S istrict Co!rt for the 6orther# istrict of Illi#ois) Easter# i$isio# a#d J!d?e Shad!rPs opi#io# o# the /<th me#dme#t. Ho! will see the be?i##i#?s a#d threat of
disbarme#t of a certai# "a??ressi$e" lice#sed attor#ey.
o be tr!ly eLecti$e i# the co!rts i# a#y challe#?e to ?o$er#me#tal power a#d a!thority) the
challe#?er m!st possess a ?ood !#dersta#di#? of politics. his is especially so si#ce ?o$er#me#t
a#d the co!rts are primarily co#cer#ed with a p!blic perceptio# of the bala#ci#? of the scales of
!stice rather tha# the attai#me#t of tr!e !stice !#der the law.
#ce it is realiDed that the co!rt is primarily co#cer#ed with politics) it the# becomes #ecessary
for a#y challe#?er to become procie#t i# the political are#a. %y politics) we speak) #ot of the
electoral process) b!t of the politics of associatio#.
Teepi#? this i# mi#d) a#d tr!ly !#dersta#di#? the co#cept) a ma# acc!sed of breaki#? a "r!le"
for which he may s!Ler pe#alties of impriso#me#t) #e a#d costs witho!t be#et of trial or
Co#stit!tio#al safe?!ards) may $ery will co#sider bri#?i#? a crimi#al char?e a?ai#st himself
directly i# co!rt a#d thereby bl!#t his ad$ersariesP attack. o the !#i#itiated) this may so!#d like
mad#ess) b!t to the political scholar desti#ed to appear before a "master" to a#swer to alle?edr!le $iolatio# of the !#a!thoriDed practice of law) the self+acc!satory ro!te to the co!rts may be
the o#ly hope of $ictoryM both le?al a#d political.
J>4ISICI6 by @oward 2reema#
so!rce; 6@ J,J
he Co#stit!tio# of the !#ited States me#tio#s three areas of !risdictio# i# which the co!rts may
operate;
$ommon 8aw
Commo# -aw is based o# odVs -aw. #ytime someo#e is char?ed !#der the Commo# -aw) there
m!st be a Wdama?ed partyX. Ho! are free !#der the Commo# -aw to do a#ythi#? yo! please) as
lo#? as yo! do #ot i#fri#?e o# the life) liberty or property of someo#e else. Ho! ha$e a ri?ht to
make a WfoolX of yo!rself pro$ided yo! do #ot i#fri#?e o# the life) liberty or property of someo#e
else. he Commo# -aw does #ot allow for a#y ?o$er#me#t actio# which pre$e#ts a ma# from
maki#? a fool of himself. 2or i#sta#ce) whe# yo! cross o$er state li#es i# most states) yo! will
see a si?# which says) W%>CT-E H>4 SE %E-S Y IVS @E -8.X his ca##ot be Commo# -aw)
beca!se who wo!ld yo! i#!re if yo! did #ot b!ckle !pN 6obody. his wo!ld be compelled
performa#ce. %!t Commo# -aw ca##ot compel performa#ce. #y $iolatio# of Commo# -aw is a
C4I5I6- C) a#d is p!#ishable.
E3uity 8aw
EF!ity -aw is law which Wcompels performa#ceX. It compels yo! to perform to the eKact letter of
a#y co#tract that yo! are !#der. So) if yo! ha$e compelled performa#ce) there m!st be a
co#tract somewhere) a#d yo! are bei#? compelled to perform !#der the obli?atio# of the
co#tract. 6ow this ca# o#ly be a ci$il actio#Z#ot crimi#al. I# EF!ity J!risdictio#) yo! ca##ot be
tried crimi#ally) b!t yo! ca# be compelled to perform to the letter of the co#tract. If yo! the#
ref!se to perform as directed by the co!rt) yo! ca# be char?ed with co#tempt of co!rt) this is a
crimi#al actio#. re o!r seat belts !#der EF!ity lawsN 6o. hey are #ot) beca!se yo! ca##ot be
pe#aliDed or p!#ished for #ot keepi#? to the letter of the co#tract. [his has of co!rse cha#?ed
si#ce the p!blishi#? of the article) so read o#.ZEd.]
his is Wci$ilX !risdictio# of Compelled erforma#ce which also has a Crimi#al e#alties for #ot
adheri#? to the letter of the co#tract) b!t this o#ly applies to I#ter#atio#al Co#tracts. 6ow we
ca# see what !risdictio# the seat belt laws Aa#d all traQc laws) b!ildi#? codes) ordi#a#ces) taK
codes) etc.B are !#der. 8he#e$er there is a pe#alty for fail!re to perform As!ch as willf!l fail!re
to leB that is dmiraltyR5aritime -aw a#d there m!st be a $alid i#ter#atio#al co#tract i# force.
@owe$er) the co!rts do#Vt wa#t to admit that they are operati#? !#der dmiraltyR5aritime
[hereafter #oted by R5] J!risdictio#) so they took the i#ter#atio#al law or -aw 5ercha#t a#d
adopted it i#to o!r codes. his is what the SC decided i# the Erie 4ailroad case Y that the
decisio#s will be based o# commercial law or b!si#ess law a#d that it will ha$e crimi#al pe#alties
associated with it. Si#ce they were i#str!cted #ot to call it R5 J!risdictio#) they call it Stat!tory
J!risdictio#.
/ >.S. Code & 7 + Special maritime a#d territorial !risdictio# of the >#ited States de#ed
C!rre#t thro!?h !b. -. //,+3. ASee !blic -aws for the c!rre#t Co#?ress.B
he term Wspecial maritime a#d territorial !risdictio# of the >#ited StatesX) as !sed i# this title)
i#cl!des;
'9( he hi?h seas) a#y other waters withi# the admiralty a#d maritime !risdictio# of the >#ited
States a#d o!t of the !risdictio# of a#y partic!lar State) a#d a#y $essel belo#?i#? i# whole or i#
part to the >#ited States or a#y citiDe# thereof) or to a#y corporatio# created by or !#der the
laws of the >#ited States) or of a#y State) erritory) istrict) or possessio# thereof) whe# s!ch
$essel is withi# the admiralty a#d maritime !risdictio# of the >#ited States a#d o!t of the
!risdictio# of a#y partic!lar State.
'D( #y $essel re?istered) lice#sed) or e#rolled !#der the laws of the >#ited States) a#d bei#? o#
a $oya?e !po# the waters of a#y of the reat -akes) or a#y of the waters co##ecti#? them) or
!po# the Sai#t -awre#ce 4i$er where the same co#stit!tes the I#ter#atio#al %o!#dary -i#e.
':( #y la#ds reser$ed or acF!ired for the !se of the >#ited States) a#d !#der the eKcl!si$e or
co#c!rre#t !risdictio# thereof) or a#y place p!rchased or otherwise acF!ired by the >#ited
States by co#se#t of the le?islat!re of the State i# which the same shall be) for the erectio# of a
fort) ma?aDi#e) arse#al) dockyard) or other #eedf!l b!ildi#?.
'1( #y isla#d) rock) or key co#tai#i#? deposits of ?!a#o) which may) at the discretio# of the
reside#t) be co#sidered as appertai#i#? to the >#ited States.
'"( #y aircraft belo#?i#? i# whole or i# part to the >#ited States) or a#y citiDe# thereof) or to
a#y corporatio# created by or !#der the laws of the >#ited States) or a#y State) erritory) district)or possessio# thereof) while s!ch aircraft is i# Oi?ht o$er the hi?h seas) or o$er a#y other waters
withi# the admiralty a#d maritime !risdictio# of the >#ited States a#d o!t of the !risdictio# of
a#y partic!lar State.
'&( #y $ehicle !sed or desi?#ed for Oi?ht or #a$i?atio# i# space a#d o# the re?istry of the
>#ited States p!rs!a#t to the reaty o# ri#ciples o$er#i#? the cti$ities of States i# the
EKploratio# a#d >se of !ter Space) I#cl!di#? the 5oo# a#d ther Celestial %odies a#d the
Co#$e#tio# o# 4e?istratio# of bects -a!#ched i#to !ter Space) while that $ehicle is i# Oi?ht)
which is from the mome#t whe# all eKter#al doors are closed o# Earth followi#? embarkatio#
!#til the mome#t whe# o#e s!ch door is ope#ed o# Earth for disembarkatio# or i# the case of a
forced la#di#?) !#til the compete#t a!thorities take o$er the respo#sibility for the $ehicle a#d for
perso#s a#d property aboard.
'0( #y place o!tside the !risdictio# of a#y #atio# with respect to a# oLe#se by or a?ai#st a
#atio#al of the >#ited States.
'2( o the eKte#t permitted by i#ter#atio#al law) a#y forei?# $essel d!ri#? a $oya?e ha$i#? a
sched!led depart!re from or arri$al i# the >#ited States with respect to a# oLe#se committed by
'(8ith respect to oLe#ses committed by or a?ai#st a #atio#al of the >#ited States as that term
is !sed i# sectio# /1/ of the Immi?ratio# a#d 6atio#ality ctZ
'A( the premises of >#ited States diplomatic) co#s!lar) military or other >#ited States
o$er#me#t missio#s or e#tities i# forei?# States) i#cl!di#? the b!ildi#?s) parts of b!ildi#?s) a#d
la#d app!rte#a#t or a#cillary thereto or !sed for p!rposes of those missio#s or e#tities)
irrespecti$e of ow#ershipM a#d
'( reside#ces i# forei?# States a#d the la#d app!rte#a#t or a#cillary thereto) irrespecti$e ofow#ership) !sed for p!rposes of those missio#s or e#tities or !sed by >#ited States perso##el
assi?#ed to those missio#s or e#tities.
6othi#? i# this para?raph shall be deemed to s!persede a#y treaty or i#ter#atio#al a?reeme#t
with which this para?raph co#Oicts. his para?raph does #ot apply with respect to a# oLe#se
committed by a perso# described i# sectio# 30</AaB of this title.
Commo#wealth of !erto 4ico) !am) the :ir?i# Isla#ds) the r!st erritory of the acic Isla#ds)
a#d a#y territory or possessio# of the >#ited States.
+CIE+ 7 >SC Sec. 7' +E A7B he term P>#ited StatesP mea#s the States) the istrict of Col!mbia)
a#d the Commo#wealth of !erto 4ico. CIE+ I-E 7 C@E4 3 +@E+ Sec. 7'. e#itio#s
+S>E+ 8he# !sed i# this chapter) eKcept where the co#teKt reF!ires otherwise + AdB the term
P>#ited StatesP mea#s the States Ai#cl!di#? !erto 4icoB a#d the territories a#d possessio#s of
the >#ited States Ai#cl!di#? the istrict of Col!mbiaBM AeB the term PStateP mea#s a#y o#e of the
States Ai#cl!di#? !erto 4icoB or territories or possessio#s of the >#ited States
>S Code e#es the term ">#ited States" / R /1
+CIE+ 7 >SC Sec. /'1aa +ECIE+ I-E 7 C@E4 7% +@E+ Sec. /'1aa. e#itio#s AeB
P>#ited StatesP mea#s a#y of the States) erritories) or istricts Ai#cl!di#? possessio#s a#d the
istrict of Col!mbiaB of the >#ited States.
+ECIE+ I-E 7 C@E4 3' S>%C@E4 II art +@E+ Sec. /31/. e#itio#s A'B he term
P>#ited StatesP mea#s the se$eral States a#d erritories a#d the istrict of Col!mbia a#d !erto
4ico. A<B he term PStateP i#cl!des a erritory a#d the istrict of Col!mbia a#d !erto 4ico.
+CIE+ 7 >SC Sec. /3'( +ECIE+ I-E 7 C@E4 3' S>%C@E4 II art % s!bpart $ii +@E+
Sec. /3'(. dmi#istratio# cB P>#ited StatesP a#d PStateP de#ed 6otwithsta#di#? sectio# /31/ of
this title) for p!rposes of this s!bpart) the terms P>#ited StatesP a#d PStateP mea#s A26E /B
the '1 States) the istrict of Col!mbia) a#d the Commo#wealth of !erto 4ico.
+CIE+ 7 >SC Sec. /'</ +ECIE+ I-E 7 C@E4 37 S>%C@E4 I +@E+ Sec. /'</.
e#itio# of terms +S>E+ AaB 8he# !sed i# this chapter + A/B he term P>#ited StatesP mea#s
the se$eral States) istrict of Col!mbia) a#d !erto 4ico.
+CIE+ 7 >SC Sec. /(30 +ECIE+ I-E 7 C@E4 '1 S>%C@E4 I +@E+ Sec. /(30. 4!ral
i#d!strialiDatio# assista#ce A%B he term P>#ited StatesP mea#s the se$eral States) the istrict of
Col!mbia) the Commo#wealth of !erto 4ico) the :ir?i# Isla#ds) !am) merica# Samoa) a#d the
other territories a#d possessio#s of the >#ited States.
+CIE+ 7 >SC Sec. 0//< +ECIE+ I-E 7 C@E4 '3 +@E+ Sec. 0//<. e#itio#s +S>E+
s !sed i# this chapter; AeB he term P>#ited StatesP mea#s the '1 States of the >#ited States of
merica.
+CIE+ 7 >SC Sec. 0,1/ +ECIE+ I-E 7 C@E4 '7 S>%C@E4 II art +@E+ Sec. 0,1/.
e#itio#s a#d r!les of co#str!ctio# AbB he terms P>#ited StatesP a#d Pthis co!#tryP mea#s the
>#ited States of merica) its territories a#d possessio#s) a#d the Commo#wealth of !erto 4ico.
+CIE+ 7 >SC Sec. 0710 +ECIE+ I-E 7 C@E4 <1 +@E+ Sec. 0710. e#itio#s AhB heterm P>#ited StatesP mea#s the forty+ei?ht co#ti?!o!s States of the >#ited States of merica a#d
the istrict of Col!mbia.
+CIE+ 7 >SC Sec. 010 +ECIE+ I-E 7 C@E4 </ +@E+ Sec. 010. e#itio# AdB P>#ited
StatesP mea#s a#y of the States) territories) or districts of the >#ited States.
+CIE+ 7 >SC Sec. 0(10 +ECIE+ I-E 7 C@E4 <0 +@E+ Sec. 0(10. e#itio#s A/B the
term P>#ited StatesP mea#s the se$eral States a#d the istrict of Col!mbia.
+CIE+ 7 >SC Sec. 3,10 +ECIE+ I-E 7 C@E4 <' +@E+ Sec. 3,10. e#itio#s AmB he
term P>#ited StatesP mea#s the se$eral States a#d the istrict of Col!mbia) i#cl!di#? a#y
territory or possessio#.
+CIE+ 7 >SC Sec. ,310 +ECIE+ I-E 7 C@E4 7, +@E+ Sec. ,310. e#itio#s AB he
term P>#ited StatesP mea#s the fty States of the >#ited States of merica) the territories a#d
possessio#s of the >#ited States of merica) a#d the istrict of Col!mbia.
+CIE+ 7 >SC Sec. ,,10 +ECIE+ I-E 7 C@E4 7' +@E+ Sec. ,,10. e#itio#s A<B heterm P>#ited StatesP mea#s the fty States of the >#ited States) the istrict of Col!mbia) the
Commo#wealth of !erto 4ico) !am) merica# Samoa) the :ir?i# Isla#ds of the >#ited States)
the Commo#wealth of the 6orther# 5aria#a Isla#ds) a#d a#y other territory or possessio# of the
>#ited States.
+CIE+ 7 >SC Sec. ,'3/ +ECIE+ I-E 7 C@E4 7< S>%C@E4 II +@E+ Sec. ,'3/.
e#itio#s A/0B the term P>#ited StatesP mea#s the se$eral States a#d the territories a#d
possessio#s of the >#ited States) eKcept that for p!rposes of sectio#s ,'30) ,'3,AaB) a#d ,'37
of this title) a#d para?raph A7B of this sectio#) s!ch term mea#s the forty+ei?ht co#ti?!o!s States
i# the co#ti#e#tal >#ited States.
+CIE+ 7 >SC Sec. '<10 +ECIE+ I-E 7 C@E4 7 S>%C@E4 I +@E+ Sec. '<10.
e#itio#s A<B >#ited States he term P>#ited StatesP i#cl!des each of the States) the istrict of
Col!mbia) !erto 4ico) a#d the territories a#d possessio#s of the >#ited States.
+CIE+ 7 >SC Sec. <110 +ECIE+ I-E 7 C@E4 ( +@E+ Sec. <110. e#itio#s A0'B State
he term PStateP mea#s a#y of the se$eral States) the istrict of Col!mbia a#d the
Commo#wealth of !erto 4ico. A0<B >#ited States he term P>#ited StatesP mea#s collecti$ely the
se$eral States) the istrict of Col!mbia) a#d the Commo#wealth of !erto 4ico.
+CIE+ 7 >SC Sec. </10 +ECIE+ I-E 7 C@E4 (1 +@E+ Sec. </10. e#itio#s A/'B State
a#d >#ited States he terms PStateP a#d P>#ited StatesP i#cl!de the '1 States of the >#itedStates) the istrict of Col!mbia) a#d the Commo#wealth of !erto 4ico.
+CIE+ 7 >SC Sec. <010 +ECIE+ I-E 7 C@E4 (/ +@E+ Sec. <010. e#itio#s +S>E+
s !sed i# this chapter; A/'B State a#d >#ited States he term + AB PStateP mea#s each of the '1
States of the >#ited States) the istrict of Col!mbia) a#d the Commo#wealth of !erto 4icoM a#d
A%B P>#ited StatesP mea#s the '1 States of the >#ited States) the istrict of Col!mbia) a#d the
Commo#wealth of !erto 4ico.
+CIE+ >SC Sec. //1/ +ECIE+ I-E C@E4 /0 S>%C@E4 I +@E+ Sec. //1/.
e#itio#s A3B he term P>#ited StatesP) eKcept as otherwise specically herei# pro$ided) whe#
+CIE+ /1 >SC Sec. //3 +ECIE+ I-E /1 S!btitle 4 I C@E4 0 +@E+ Sec. //3.
Secretary of efe#se A3B I# this s!bsectio#) the term P>#ited StatesP) whe# !sed i# a ?eo?raphic
se#se) i#cl!des the territories a#d possessio#s of the >#ited States.
+CIE+ /1 >SC Sec. /0, +ECIE+ I-E /1 S!btitle 4 I C@E4 3 +@E+ Sec. /0,.
etectio# a#d mo#itori#? of aerial a#d maritime tra#sit of ille?al dr!?s; epartme#t of efe#se
to be lead a?e#cy AcB >#ited States e#ed. + I# this sectio#) the term P>#ited StatesP mea#s the
la#d area of the se$eral States a#d a#y territory) commo#wealth) or possessio# of the >#ited
States.
+CIE+ /0 >SC Sec. 00/ +ECIE+ I-E /0 C@E4 3 S>%C@E4 I +@E+ Sec. 00/.
e#itio#s Pthe co#ti#e#tal >#ited StatesP mea#s the States of the >#ited States a#d the istrict
of Col!mbia.
+CIE+ /0 >SC Sec. ,11/ +ECIE+ I-E /0 C@E4 ,/ +@E+ Sec. ,11/. e#itio#s
+S>E+ 2orp!rposes of this chapter + A0/B State he term PStateP mea#s a#y State) the istrict
of Col!mbia) the Commo#wealth of !erto 4ico) or the :ir?i# Isla#ds. A03B >#ited States he term
P>#ited StatesP mea#s the se$eral States) the istrict of Col!mbia) the Commo#wealth of !erto
4ico) a#d the :ir?i# Isla#ds.
+CIE+ /' >SC Sec. <( +ECIE+ I-E /' C@E4 0 S>%C@E4 I: +@E+ Sec. <(. e#itio#s
+S>E+ s !sed i# this s!bchapter + AkB he term P>#ited StatesP mea#s the se$eral States) the
istrict of Col!mbia) a#d the erritories a#d possessio#s of the >#ited States.
+CIE+ /' >SC Sec. 331 +ECIE+ I-E /' C@E4 ( +@E+ Sec. 331. e#itio#s A,B he
term P>#ited StatesP i#cl!des the se$eral States) the istrict of Col!mbia) the Commo#wealth of
!erto 4ico) a#d a#y territory or i#s!lar possessio# of the >#ited States.
+CIE+ /' >SC Sec. //7/ +ECIE+ I-E /' C@E4 0, +@E+ Sec. //7/. e#itio#s
+S>E+ s !sed i# this chapter AbB he term PStateP i#cl!des the istrict of Col!mbia) !erto
4ico) the :ir?i# Isla#ds) a#d !am. AcB he term Ppossessio# of the >#ited StatesP mea#s a#ypossessio# of the >#ited States which is #ot #amed i# s!bsectio# AbB of this sectio#.
>S Code e#es the term ">#ited States" , R /1
+CIE+ /' >SC Sec. 0/1< +ECIE+ I-E /' C@E4 , +@E+ Sec. 0/1<. e#itio#s A7B he
term P>#ited StatesP mea#s the States) the istrict of Col!mbia) a#d the Commo#wealth of
!erto 4ico.
+CIE+ /' >SC Sec. 331/ +ECIE+ I-E /' C@E4 <1 +@E+ Sec. 331/. e#itio#s
+S>E+ 2or p!rposes of this chapter + A33B >#ited States he term P>#ited StatesP mea#s the
se$eral States a#d i#cl!des the !ter Co#ti#e#tal Shelf. A3,B State he term PStateP mea#s each
of the se$eral States a#d the istrict of Col!mbia. A3'B !ter Co#ti#e#tal Shelf he term P!ter
Co#ti#e#tal ShelfP has the same mea#i#? as s!ch term has !#der sectio# /33/AaB of title ,3.
+CIE+ /' >SC Sec. ,110 +ECIE+ I-E /' C@E4 << S>%C@E4 I +@E+ Sec. ,110.
e#itio#s +S>E+ AaB 2or p!rposes of this s!bchapter + A'B the term PStateP mea#s a#y of the
se$eral States of the >#ited States) the istrict of Col!mbia) the Commo#wealth of !erto 4ico)
the :ir?i# Isla#ds) merica# Samoa) !am) the Commo#wealth of the 6orther# 5aria#a Isla#ds)
a#d the r!st erritory of the acic Isla#dsM A<B the term P>#ited StatesP mea#s the se$eral States
of the >#ited States) the istrict of Col!mbia) the Commo#wealth of !erto 4ico) the :ir?i#
Isla#ds) merica# Samoa) !am) the Commo#wealth of the 6orther# 5aria#a Isla#ds) a#d the
r!st erritory of the acic Isla#dsM a#d
+CIE+ /' >SC Sec. ,703a +ECIE+ I-E /' C@E4 73 S>%C@E4 III +@E+Sec. ,703a.
>#ited States Commercial Ce#ters A0B the term PStateP mea#s a#y of the se$eral States) the
istrict of Col!mbia) or a#y commo#wealth) territory) or possessio# of the >#ited StatesM a#d A3B
the term P>#ited StatesP mea#s the se$eral States) the istrict of Col!mbia) a#d a#y
commo#wealth) territory) or possessio# of the >#ited States.
+CIE+ /< >SC Sec. ,<1l+3 +ECIE+ I-E /< C@E4 / S>%C@E4 -I art + @E+ Sec.
,<1l+3. e#itio#s +S>E+ s !sed i# this part) the term P>#ited StatesP shall i#cl!de the
istrict of Col!mbia a#d the terms P>#ited StatesP a#d PStatesP may) to the eKte#t practicable)
i#cl!de the Commo#wealth of !erto 4ico) the :ir?i# Isla#ds) !am) merica# Samoa) the r!st
erritory of the acic Isla#ds) a#d the Commo#wealth of the 6orther# 5aria#a Isla#ds.
+CIE+ /< >SC Sec. ('/ +ECIE+ I-E /< C@E4 /< +@E+ Sec. ('/. e#itio#s AeB P>#ited
StatesP shall i#cl!de all areas !#der the so$erei?#ty of the >#ited States) the r!st erritory of the
acic Isla#ds) a#d the Ca#al Go#e
+CIE+ /' >SC Sec. ,1( +ECIE+ I-E /' C@E4 7, +@E+ Sec. ,1(. e#itio#s+S>E+ 2or p!rposes of this chapter + A3B the term P>#ited StatesP mea#s each of the se$eral
States) the istrict of Col!mbia) the Commo#wealth of !erto 4ico) !am) the :ir?i# Isla#ds) the
Commo#wealth of the 6orther#
>S Code e#es the term ">#ited States" ' R /1
5aria#a Isla#ds) merica# Samoa) a#d a#y other territory or possessio# of the >#ited StatesM a#d
+CIE+ /< >SC Sec. 0,10 +ECIE+ I-E /< C@E4 ,, +@E+ Sec. 0,10. e#itio#s A/'B he
term P>#ited StatesP mea#s the se$eral States of the >#io#) the istrict of Col!mbia) the
Commo#wealth of !erto 4ico) merica# Samoa) the :ir?i# Isla#ds) !am) a#d the r!st erritory
of the acic Isla#ds) i#cl!di#? the o$er#me#t of the 6orther# 5aria#a Isla#ds.
+CIE+ /( >SC Sec. 01(' +ECIE+ I-E /( C@E4 // +@E+ Sec. 01('. e#itio#s
+S>E+ 2or the p!rposes of this chapter + A/B he term PSecretaryP mea#s the Secretary of the
reas!ry. A0B he term P>#ited StatesP i#cl!des the se$eral States) the istrict of Col!mbia) a#d
the Commo#wealth of !erto 4ico.
+CIE+ /( >SC Sec. 0<1/ +ECIE+ I-E /( C@E4 /, +@E+ Sec. 0<1/. e#itio#s A/1B he
term P>#ited StatesP i#cl!des the se$eral States) the istrict of Col!mbia) a#d a#y territory or
area the forei?# relatio#s for which the >#ited States is respo#sible.
+CIE+ 01 >SC Sec. /17e +ECIE+ I-E 01 C@E4 < +@E+ Sec. /17e. e#itio#s A<BP>#ited StatesP i#cl!des the se$eral States) territories) a#d possessio#s of the >#ited States)
!erto 4ico) a#d the istrict of Col!mbiaM
+CIE+ 00 >SC Sec. /3<1 +ECIE+ I-E 00 C@E4 /' S>%C@E4 I: +@E+ Sec. /3<1.
e#itio#s +S>E+ AaB 2or the p!rposes of s!bchapters I to I: of this chapter + A/B he term
Pperso#P i#cl!des part#erships) corporatio#s) a#d associatio#s. A0B he term P>#ited StatesP) whe#
!sed i# a ?eo?raphical se#se) mea#s the States) the istrict of Col!mbia) the erritories of laska
the term P>#ited StatesP i#cl!des the se$eral States of the >#ited States) the istrict of Col!mbia)
the Commo#wealth of !erto 4ico)
>S Code e#es the term ">#ited States" R /1
!am) merica# Samoa) the >#ited States :ir?i# Isla#ds) the Commo#wealth of the 6orther#
5aria#a Isla#ds) the r!st erritory of the acic Isla#ds) a#d a#y other Commo#wealth) territory)
or possessio# of the >#ited States.
+CIE+ 33 >SC Sec. /,10 +ECIE+ I-E 33 C@E4 07 +@E+ Sec. /,10. e#itio#s AdB
P>#ited StatesP i#cl!des the se$eral States) the istrict of Col!mbia) the Commo#wealth of !erto
4ico) the Ca#al Go#e) the territories a#d possessio#s of the >#ited States) a#d the r!st erritory
of the acic Isla#ds.
+CIE+ 3< >SC Sec. ,<17 +ECIE+ I-E 3< C@E4 7 +@E+ Sec. ,<17. ri#cipal oQceM
territorial scope of acti$itiesM a?e#t for ser$ice of process +S>E+ AaB he corporatio# i#itially
shall ha$e its pri#cipal oQce i# the istrict of Col!mbia a#d later at s!ch place as may be
determi#ed by the board of tr!stees. he corporatio# shall ha$e the ri?ht to co#d!ct its acti$ities
i# the >#ited States a#d elsewhere b!t shall establish a tropical bota#ical ?arde# or ?arde#s o#ly
i# the >#ited States. 2or p!rposes of this s!bsectio#) the term P>#ited StatesP i#cl!des a#ycommo#wealth) territory) or possessio# of the >#ited States.
+CIE+ ,/ >SC Sec. 3'7 +ECIE+ I-E ,/ C@E4 < +@E+ Sec. 3'7. e#itio#s dB he term
^>#ited States^ whe# !sed i# a ?eo?raphical se#se shall i#cl!de a#y State of the >#ited States)
the istrict of Col!mbia) !erto 4ico) the :ir?i# Isla#ds) !ter Co#ti#e#tal Shelf la#ds as de#ed
the !risdictio# of the >#ited States or a#y >#ited States base or possessio# withi# a forei?#
co!#try.
+CIE+ ,0 >SC Sec. ,/1 +ECIE+ I-E ,0 C@E4 7 S>%C@E4 II +@E+ Sec. ,/1.e#itio#s relati#? to employme#t AhB State he term ^State^ i#cl!des the istrict of Col!mbia)
the Commo#wealth of !erto 4ico) the :ir?i# Isla#ds) !am) a#d merica# Samoa. AiB >#ited
States he term ^>#ited States^ whe# !sed i# a ?eo?raphical se#se mea#s the States) the
istrict of Col!mbia) the Commo#wealth of !erto 4ico) the :ir?i# Isla#ds) !am) a#d merica#
Samoa.
+CIE+ ,0 >SC Sec. 30/< +ECIE+ I-E ,0 C@E4 3 S>%C@E4 :II +@E+ Sec. 30/<.
e#itio#s +S>E+ s !sed i# this chapter) the terms ^State^) ^States^) a#d ^>#ited States^
i#cl!de the se$eral States) the istrict of Col!mbia) the Commo#wealth of !erto 4ico) the :ir?i#
Isla#ds) !am) a#d merica# Samoa.
+CIE+ ,0 >SC Sec. 3,// +ECIE+ I-E ,0 C@E4 ,0 S>%C@E4 II +@E+ Sec. 3,//.
e#itio#s A?B ^State^ i#cl!des the istrict of Col!mbia a#d the Commo#wealth of !erto 4ico.
AhB ^>#ited States^ i#cl!des the Commo#wealth of !erto 4ico.
+CIE+ ,0 >SC Sec. (<1/ +ECIE+ I-E ,0 C@E4 /13 S>%C@E4 I +@E+ Sec. (<1/.
e#itio#s A07B he terms ^>#ited States^ a#d ^State^ i#cl!de the se$eral States of the >#ited