postal mailbox usage

[Ranger__101]

It's not uncommon at all for building owners who are required to buy a specific item and it's use is restricted.

Mailboxes - They are purchaes by the business or resident and use and policy is done by Federal Law

Key Boxes - Many buildings are required to have emergency key boxes and the state and city laws dictate use and policy.

Emergency Elevator Key - Same issue business much buy the boxes and use is dictated by laws.

[txinvestigator1]

The postal inspectors are aggressive about investigating and enforcing violations around here.

[Ranger__101]

Can't blame them. Like many departments lately they have to justify their existance.

[FotoTomas]

I was advised by an assistant US Attny that the presence of the official mail was the key. A privately owned mailbox is a recepticle for the mail BUT without mail present is mearly a box. If someone were to put a flyer in a mailbox without mail there is no problem. If the postman were to drop mail into the box prior to the flyer being removed you now have a case of interfearence. Same goes for damage. If you damage a mailbox containing US Mail then the law is broken. Damage an empty, privately owned, mailbox and you are subject to local or state penalties. US owned mailboxes are a different situation. I asked this question out of personal curiosity at a pistol match attended by said Assistant US Attorney "SO" no promises as to its accuracy. (He was not shooting well)

[Nole795]

I was advised by an assistant US Attny that the presence of the official mail was the key. A privately owned mailbox is a recepticle for the mail BUT without mail present is mearly a box. If someone were to put a flyer in a mailbox without mail there is no problem. If the postman were to drop mail into the box prior to the flyer being removed you now have a case of interfearence. Same goes for damage. If you damage a mailbox containing US Mail then the law is broken. Damage an empty, privately owned, mailbox and you are subject to local or state penalties. US owned mailboxes are a different situation. I asked this question out of personal curiosity at a pistol match attended by said Assistant US Attorney "SO" no promises as to its accuracy. (He was not shooting well)

Sorry but that was incorrect information. A person cannot place non-mailable items into a mail box...period. If you damage/vandalize a mailbox, you can be subject to federal arrest, regardless if it has mail in it. If mail is damaged during the vandalizing of the mailbox, then there is an additional federal charge. Every district differs on what merits a federal prosecution and that is what the AUSA may have been hinting at during your discussion.

[FotoTomas]

May well be as we were discussing some of the stuff that crossed his desk and was not prosecuted. I stand corrected. I did think I asked the question right but hell that does not mean it was understood correctly.