46 U.S.C. § 70504 – Jurisdiction and venue

(a) Jurisdiction.— Jurisdiction of the United States with respect to a vessel subject to this chapter is not an element of an offense. Jurisdictional issues arising under this chapter are preliminary questions of law to be determined solely by the trial judge.
(b) Venue.— A person violating section 70503 or 70508 of this title shall be tried in the district court of the United States for—
1. (1) the district at which the person enters the United States; or
2. (2) the District of Columbia.

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
70504	46 App.:1903(f).	Pub. L. 96–350, § 3(f), Sept. 15, 1980, 94 Stat. 1160; Pub. L. 99–570, title III, § 3202, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–97; Pub. L. 99–640, § 17, Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3554; Pub. L. 104–324, § 1138(a)(5), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3989.

2008—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110–407 inserted “or 70508” after “70503” in introductory provisions.