{"id":158,"date":"2026-07-22T02:52:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T02:52:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fedlaws.org\/?p=158"},"modified":"2026-07-22T02:52:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T02:52:15","slug":"18-usc-1752-restricted-buildings-protests-and-penalties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fedlaws.org\/?p=158","title":{"rendered":"18 USC 1752: Restricted Buildings, Protests, and Penalties"},"content":{"rendered":"

18 U.S.C. 1752 is the federal statute that makes it a crime to knowingly enter or remain in a restricted building or grounds, disrupt government business there, block access, commit violence inside the perimeter, or fly a drone into or above it. A basic violation is a Class A misdemeanor carrying up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. If the person used or carried a deadly weapon or firearm, or the offense caused significant bodily injury, the maximum jumps to ten years and a $250,000 fine.1<\/a><\/sup>Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 USC 1752 Restricted Building or Grounds<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

What the Statute Prohibits<\/h2>\n

Section 1752 lists five distinct offenses. Each one requires that the person acted “knowingly,” but the additional intent required varies.<\/p>\n

Unauthorized entry or remaining.<\/strong> The simplest violation, and the one prosecutors charge most often. The government has to prove you entered or stayed in a restricted area and lacked authorization. No intent to cause harm or disruption is needed.<\/p>\n

Disruptive conduct.<\/strong> Disorderly behavior in or near a restricted area is only criminal here if the person specifically intended to impede government business and the conduct actually did impede it. Noise alone near the White House is not enough.<\/p>\n

Blocking access.<\/strong> Obstructing entry to or exit from a restricted building or grounds, again with intent to disrupt government business. Human chains across an entrance and barricaded doorways are the paradigm cases.<\/p>\n

Physical violence.<\/strong> Any act of violence against a person or property inside the perimeter, under subsection (a)(4). This one does not require intent to disrupt government functions. The violence itself is the offense \u2014 assaults, broken fencing, smashed windows all qualify.<\/p>\n

Operating a drone.<\/strong> Knowingly and willfully flying an unmanned aircraft system into or above a restricted area carries the same penalty structure as the other offenses.1<\/a><\/sup>Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 USC 1752 Restricted Building or Grounds<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Where the Law Applies<\/h2>\n

The statute defines “restricted buildings or grounds” as any posted, cordoned-off, or otherwise restricted area falling into one of three categories.<\/p>\n