Summary of changes
Article 103a — Espionage
The text as it stood in the last Manual for Courts-Martial edition beside the current text, provision by provision, with every recorded amendment and the authority behind it — the whole Article in one view.
0 amended
0 added
0 removed
34 unchanged
No changes recorded for this Article —
its text is the same as the last Manual for Courts-Martial edition.
Showing every provision.
Provisions
32.a.
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Original text
Text of statute.
(a)(1) Any person subject to this chapter who, with intent or reason to believe that it is to be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of a foreign nation, communicates, delivers, or transmits, or attempts to communicate, deliver, or transmit, to any entity described in paragraph (2), either directly or indirectly, anything described in paragraph (3) shall be punished as a court-martial may direct, except that if the accused is found guilty of an offense that directly concerns (A) nuclear weaponry, military spacecraft or satellites, early warning systems, or other means of defense or retaliation against large scale attack, (B) war plans, (C) communications intelligence or cryptographic information, or (D) any other major weapons system or major element of defense strategy, the accused shall be punished by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct. (2) An entity referred to in paragraph (1) is—
Current text
Text of statute.
(a)(1) Any person subject to this chapter who, with intent or reason to believe that it is to be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of a foreign nation, communicates, delivers, or transmits, or attempts to communicate, deliver, or transmit, to any entity described in paragraph (2), either directly or indirectly, anything described in paragraph (3) shall be punished as a court-martial may direct, except that if the accused is found guilty of an offense that directly concerns (A) nuclear weaponry, military spacecraft or satellites, early warning systems, or other means of defense or retaliation against large scale attack, (B) war plans, (C) communications intelligence or cryptographic information, or (D) any other major weapons system or major element of defense strategy, the accused shall be punished by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct. (2) An entity referred to in paragraph (1) is—
32.a.(A)
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Original text
a foreign government;
Current text
a foreign government;
32.a.(B)
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a faction or party or military or naval force within a foreign country, whether recognized or unrecognized by the United States; or
Current text
a faction or party or military or naval force within a foreign country, whether recognized or unrecognized by the United States; or
32.a.(C)
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a representative, officer, agent, employee, subject, or citizen of such a government, faction, party, or force. (3) A thing referred to in paragraph (1) is a document, writing, code book, signal book, sketch, photograph, photographic negative, blueprint, plan, map, model, note, instrument, appliance, or information relating to the national defense. (b)(1) No person may be sentenced by court-martial to suffer death for an offense under this section (article) unless—
Current text
a representative, officer, agent, employee, subject, or citizen of such a government, faction, party, or force. (3) A thing referred to in paragraph (1) is a document, writing, code book, signal book, sketch, photograph, photographic negative, blueprint, plan, map, model, note, instrument, appliance, or information relating to the national defense. (b)(1) No person may be sentenced by court-martial to suffer death for an offense under this section (article) unless—
32.a.(C)(A)
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the members of the court-martial unanimously find at least one of the aggravating factors set out in subsection (c); and
Current text
the members of the court-martial unanimously find at least one of the aggravating factors set out in subsection (c); and
32.a.(C)(B)
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the members unanimously determine that any extenuating or mitigating circumstances are substantially outweighed by any aggravating circumstances, including the aggravating factors set out in subsection (c). (2) Findings under this subsection may be based on—
Current text
the members unanimously determine that any extenuating or mitigating circumstances are substantially outweighed by any aggravating circumstances, including the aggravating factors set out in subsection (c). (2) Findings under this subsection may be based on—
32.a.(C)(B)(A)
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Original text
evidence introduced on the issue of guilt or innocence;
Current text
evidence introduced on the issue of guilt or innocence;
32.a.(C)(B)(B)
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evidence introduced during the sentencing proceeding; or
Current text
evidence introduced during the sentencing proceeding; or
32.a.(C)(B)(C)
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all such evidence. (3) The accused shall be given broad latitude to present matters in extenuation and mitigation. (c) A sentence of death may be adjudged by a court-martial for an offense under this section (article) only if the members unanimously find, beyond a reasonable doubt, one or more of the following aggravating factors:
Current text
all such evidence. (3) The accused shall be given broad latitude to present matters in extenuation and mitigation. (c) A sentence of death may be adjudged by a court-martial for an offense under this section (article) only if the members unanimously find, beyond a reasonable doubt, one or more of the following aggravating factors:
32.a.(C)(B)(C)(1)
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The accused has been convicted of another offense involving espionage or treason for which either a sentence of death or imprisonment for life was authorized by statute.
Current text
The accused has been convicted of another offense involving espionage or treason for which either a sentence of death or imprisonment for life was authorized by statute.
32.a.(C)(B)(C)(2)
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In the commission of the offense, the accused knowingly created a grave risk of substantial damage to the national security.
Current text
In the commission of the offense, the accused knowingly created a grave risk of substantial damage to the national security.
32.a.(C)(B)(C)(3)
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In the commission of the offense, the accused knowingly created a grave risk of death to another person.
Current text
In the commission of the offense, the accused knowingly created a grave risk of death to another person.
32.a.(C)(B)(C)(4)
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Any other factor that may be prescribed by the President by regulations under section 836 of this title (article 36).
Current text
Any other factor that may be prescribed by the President by regulations under section 836 of this title (article 36).
32.b.
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Original text
Elements.
Current text
Elements.
32.b.(1)
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Espionage.
Current text
Espionage.
32.b.(1)(a)
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That the accused communicated, delivered, or transmitted any document, writing, code book, signal book, sketch, photograph, photographic negative, blueprint, plan, map, model, note, instrument, appliance, or information relating to the national defense;
Current text
That the accused communicated, delivered, or transmitted any document, writing, code book, signal book, sketch, photograph, photographic negative, blueprint, plan, map, model, note, instrument, appliance, or information relating to the national defense;
32.b.(1)(b)
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That this matter was communicated, delivered, or transmitted to any foreign government, or to any faction or party or military or naval force within a foreign country, whether recognized or unrecognized by the United States, or to any representative, officer, agent, employee, subject or citizen thereof, either directly or indirectly; and
Current text
That this matter was communicated, delivered, or transmitted to any foreign government, or to any faction or party or military or naval force within a foreign country, whether recognized or unrecognized by the United States, or to any representative, officer, agent, employee, subject or citizen thereof, either directly or indirectly; and
32.b.(1)(c)
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That the accused did so with intent or reason to believe that such matter would be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of a foreign nation.
Current text
That the accused did so with intent or reason to believe that such matter would be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of a foreign nation.
32.b.(2)
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Attempted espionage.
Current text
Attempted espionage.
32.b.(2)(a)
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That the accused did a certain overt act;
Current text
That the accused did a certain overt act;
32.b.(2)(b)
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That the act was done with the intent to commit the offense of espionage;
Current text
That the act was done with the intent to commit the offense of espionage;
32.b.(2)(c)
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That the act amounted to more than mere preparation; and
Current text
That the act amounted to more than mere preparation; and
32.b.(2)(d)
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That the act apparently tended to bring about the offense of espionage.
Current text
That the act apparently tended to bring about the offense of espionage.
32.b.(3)
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Espionage as a capital offense.
Current text
Espionage as a capital offense.
32.b.(3)(a)
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That the accused committed espionage or attempted espionage; and
Current text
That the accused committed espionage or attempted espionage; and
32.b.(3)(b)
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That the offense directly concerned (1) nuclear weaponry, military spacecraft or satellites, early warning systems, or other means of defense or retaliation against large scale attack, (2) war plans, (3) communications intelligence or cryptographic information, or (4) any other major weapons system or major element of defense strategy.
Current text
That the offense directly concerned (1) nuclear weaponry, military spacecraft or satellites, early warning systems, or other means of defense or retaliation against large scale attack, (2) war plans, (3) communications intelligence or cryptographic information, or (4) any other major weapons system or major element of defense strategy.
32.c.
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Explanation.
Current text
Explanation.
32.c.(1)
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Intent.
“Intent or reason to believe that the information is to be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of a foreign nation” means that the accused acted in bad faith and without lawful authority with respect to information that is not lawfully accessible to the public.
Current text
Intent.
“Intent or reason to believe that the information is to be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of a foreign nation” means that the accused acted in bad faith and without lawful authority with respect to information that is not lawfully accessible to the public.
32.c.(2)
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National defense information.
“Instrument, appliance, or information relating to the national defense” includes the full range of modern technology and matter that may be developed in the future, including chemical or biological agents, computer technology, and other matter related to the national defense.
Current text
National defense information.
“Instrument, appliance, or information relating to the national defense” includes the full range of modern technology and matter that may be developed in the future, including chemical or biological agents, computer technology, and other matter related to the national defense.
32.c.(3)
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Original text
Espionage as a capital offense.
Capital punishment is authorized if the government alleges and proves that the offense directly concerned (1) nuclear weaponry, military spacecraft or satellites, early warning systems, or other means of defense or retaliation against large scale attack, (2) war plans, (3) communications intelligence or cryptographic information, or (4) any other major weapons system or major element of defense strategy. See R.C.M. 1004 concerning presentencing proceedings in capital cases.
Current text
Espionage as a capital offense.
Capital punishment is authorized if the government alleges and proves that the offense directly concerned (1) nuclear weaponry, military spacecraft or satellites, early warning systems, or other means of defense or retaliation against large scale attack, (2) war plans, (3) communications intelligence or cryptographic information, or (4) any other major weapons system or major element of defense strategy. See R.C.M. 1004 concerning presentencing proceedings in capital cases.
32.d.
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Original text
Maximum punishment.
Current text
Maximum punishment.
32.d.(1)
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Original text
Espionage as a capital offense.
Death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct.
Current text
Espionage as a capital offense.
Death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct.
32.d.(2)
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Espionage or attempted espionage.
Any punishment, other than death, that a court-martial may direct.
Current text
Espionage or attempted espionage.
Any punishment, other than death, that a court-martial may direct.
32.e.
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Sample specification.
In that __________ (personal jurisdiction data), did, (at/on board—location) (subject-matter jurisdiction, if required), on or about _____ 20 __, with intent or reason to believe it would be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of __________, a foreign nation, (attempt to) (communicate) (deliver) (transmit) __________ (description of item), (a document) (a writing) (a code book) (a sketch) (a photograph) (a photographic negative) (a blueprint) (a plan) (a map) (a model) (a note) (an instrument) (an appliance) (information) relating to the national defense, [(which directly concerned (nuclear weaponry) (military spacecraft) (military satellites) (early warning systems) (__________, a means of defense or retaliation against a large scale attack) (war plans) (communications intelligence) (cryptographic information) (_____, a major weapons system) (_____, a major element of defense strategy)] to __________ ((a representative of) (an officer of) (an agent of) (an employee of) (a subject of) (a citizen of)) ((a foreign government) (a faction within a foreign country) (a party within a foreign country) (a military force within a foreign country) (a naval force within a foreign country)) (indirectly by __________).
Current text
Sample specification.
In that __________ (personal jurisdiction data), did, (at/on board—location) (subject-matter jurisdiction, if required), on or about _____ 20 __, with intent or reason to believe it would be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of __________, a foreign nation, (attempt to) (communicate) (deliver) (transmit) __________ (description of item), (a document) (a writing) (a code book) (a sketch) (a photograph) (a photographic negative) (a blueprint) (a plan) (a map) (a model) (a note) (an instrument) (an appliance) (information) relating to the national defense, [(which directly concerned (nuclear weaponry) (military spacecraft) (military satellites) (early warning systems) (__________, a means of defense or retaliation against a large scale attack) (war plans) (communications intelligence) (cryptographic information) (_____, a major weapons system) (_____, a major element of defense strategy)] to __________ ((a representative of) (an officer of) (an agent of) (an employee of) (a subject of) (a citizen of)) ((a foreign government) (a faction within a foreign country) (a party within a foreign country) (a military force within a foreign country) (a naval force within a foreign country)) (indirectly by __________).
“Original text” is the state captured the first time a provision was edited under change tracking — i.e. the text as published in the last Manual for Courts-Martial edition. Provisions edited without being “marked as changed” (typos, formatting) are not recorded here; see the recent revisions feed and the site-wide changes log.