When most people think of illegal activities, burning money is probably not one of the first things that come to mind. However, did you know that it is in fact illegal to burn currency in the United States?
In this blog post, we will explore the reasons why burning money is illegal and what penalties you could face if you are caught. So, read on to learn more about this little-known law!
What is Money?
Before we get into the legality of burning money, let’s first define what money is. Money can be defined as anything that is accepted in exchange for goods and services or in the repayment of debts.
The Legal Tender
United States Currency In the United States, legal tender is defined as any coin or currency that is authorized by Congress to be used as a form of payment. This includes paper bills and coins that are issued by the U.S. Mint.
The legal tender status of currency ensures that creditors must accept it in exchange for goods and services. It also means that you can use currency to pay your taxes.
Currency
Currency is a type of money that is circulated within an economy. It is made up of paper bills and coins that are used to purchase goods and services. In the United States, the currency is the dollar.
US Legal Tender; US Currency
In the United States, our currency is made up of Federal Reserve notes that are issued by the Central Bank. These notes are legal tender, which means they must be accepted as payment for debts.
Now that we know what money is, let’s talk about why it’s illegal to burn it.
Why is Burning Money Illegal?
There are a few reasons why burning currency is illegal in the United States.
- First and foremost, it destroys valuable resources that could be put to better use. Minting and printing money is a costly process, and by purposely destroying bills or coins, you are wasting taxpayer money.
- In addition to being a waste of resources, burning money is also considered to be a form of vandalism. By defacing or destroying currency, you are damaging government property.
- Equally, burning currency can also be seen as a form of protest against the government. While you may have the right to free speech, this does not mean that you can damage or destroy government property.
- Burning money can also be harmful to the environment and create a fire hazard.
- Finally, burning money can be considered fraud or counterfeiting because it renders the currency unusable.
What are the Penalties for Burning Money?
The penalties for burning currency vary depending on the amount of money that is destroyed. If you are caught burning less than $5 worth of currency, you can be fined up to $100. However, if you are caught burning more than $5 worth of currency, you can be fined up to $250,000 and/or imprisoned for up to 20 years.
Title 18, Section 333 of the United States Code
Title 18, Section 333 of the United States Code makes it a federal offense to mutilate, cut, deface, disfigure, or perforate any coin or obligation of the United States with the intent to debase or destroy its value as currency. This law was enacted in order to prevent counterfeiting and other activities that would undermine the integrity of our currency.
Other Crimes Associated with Burning Money
In addition to violating Title 18, Section 333 of the United States Code, burning currency can also lead to other charges such as arson, fraud, or destruction of government property.
Arson:
Arson is the crime of intentionally setting fire to property with the intent to cause damage.
Fraud:
Fraud is the act of deception with the intention of gaining something of value. In the context of burning currency, fraud could be charged if it can be proven that you intended to deceive someone by making them believe that the currency was still usable. For example, if you burned a $20 bill and then tried to use it as payment, you could be charged with fraud.
Destruction of Government Property:
Destruction of government property is a federal offense that can be punishable by up to 10 years in prison. In the context of burning currency, this charge would apply if the money was burned on government property or if the bill was defaced with the intent to destroy its value.
Environmental Offences:
Environmental offences can also be charged in connection with burning currency. For example, if the money is burned in a public place, it could create a nuisance or be considered littering. If the fire from burning the money damages property, you could be charged with arson.
Why Prosecutions for Burning Money Are Rare
In the United States, it is actually surprisingly difficult to be successfully prosecuted for burning money. There are a number of reasons for this.
- First, the act of burning money generally does not cause any direct harm to another person.
- Second, the act of burning money is often done in protest or as a form of political expression, which is protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Examples of Prosecutions for Burning Money
That said, there have been a few notable cases in which people have been prosecuted for burning money.
- In 2006, for example, an Oregon man was fined $500 after he burned a $20 bill in front of a group of elementary school children. The man claimed that he was trying to make a point about the high cost of education.
- In another case, a man in Florida was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct after he set fire to a $5 bill in front of a police officer. The man claimed that he was protesting the government’s handling of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
So while it is technically possible to be prosecuted for burning money, it is quite rare. And in most cases, the punishment is relatively minor.
Why Would Someone Burn Money?
There are a number of reasons why someone might burn money.
- In some cases, it may be done as part of a religious or spiritual ritual. For example, in Hinduism, there is a practice known as “homa” in which money is burned as an offering to the gods.
- In other cases, people may burn money as a form of protest. This was the case with the Oregon man who was fined $500 for burning a $20 bill in front of elementary school children. The man claimed that he was trying to make a point about the high cost of education.
- And in some cases, people may simply enjoy setting fire to money. After all, it is one of the few things in life that we can burn without any immediate consequences.
So whether you’re looking to make a statement, protest the government, or just have some fun, burning money is always an option. Just be aware that you may face some minor legal repercussions if you do it in public.
Are There Any Exceptions to The Law Against Burning Money?
There are a few notable exceptions to the law against burning money.
Protests
One exception is if the money is burned as part of a protest. For example, in 2016, several people burned $1 bills in front of the Trump International Hotel in New York City to protest then-president-elect Donald Trump’s policies.
Similarly, in 2012, Occupy Wall Street protesters burned $20 bills to symbolize their belief that the American economy was unfair. And in 2010, Tea Party activists burned copies of The stimulus bill to protest government spending.
In each of these cases, the protesters were exercising their right to free speech and were not arrested or charged with a crime.
Religious Reasons
Another exception is if the money is burned for religious reasons. For example, some Hindus burn their deceased loved ones’ money as part of the cremation process.
And in some cultures, it’s customary to burn paper money at weddings or funerals to ensure that the deceased has enough money in the afterlife.
So long as the money is burned as part of a religious ceremony and not for any other purpose, it’s typically allowed.
Artistic Expression
Another exception is if the money is burned as part of an artistic expression. For example, in 2017, British artist David Hockney created a piece of art called “Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)” which sold for $90 million at auction. The artwork features a man swimming in a pool with a burned $20 bill floating in the water.
While Hockney’s artwork may have some people burning with rage, it’s not actually illegal. So long as the money is burned as part of a work of art, it’s typically allowed.
Other Exceptions
There are a few other exceptions to the law against burning money. For example, if the money is so badly damaged that it’s no longer usable, it can be disposed of by burning it.
And if the government decides to demonetize a currency (like when the United States switched from the gold standard to paper currency), then it’s legal to burn the old currency.
Of course, even in these cases, it’s generally best to consult with an attorney before setting fire to your money.
Can you Get in Trouble for Simply Having Burned Money in your Possession, Even if You Didn’t Actually Set it on Fire Yourself?
If you didn’t burn the money yourself, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. However, if you’re caught with burned money in your possession, it’s possible that the authorities could assume that you’re the one who burned it.
This is especially true if the amount of burned money is large or if there are other suspicious circumstances (like if the money was burned in a public place). In these cases, you could be charged with a crime even if you didn’t actually do the burning yourself.
Of course, every situation is different and it’s always best to consult with an attorney if you’re unsure about whether or not you could be facing charges.
How Can You Tell Whether a Bill has Been Burned or Not – is There a Way to Salvage Partially-Burned Bills?
It can be difficult to tell whether a bill has been burned or not, especially if it’s only partially burned. However, there are a few things you can look for that may indicate that a bill has been burned:
- The edges of the bill may be blackened or singed.
- There may be holes in the bill.
- The bill may be smaller than usual if part of it has been burned away.
- The serial numbers on the bill may be illegible.
If you’re not sure whether a bill has been burned or not, your best bet is to take it to a bank or credit union and ask them to examine it. They’ll be able to tell you for sure whether the bill is still valid or not.
In some cases, partially-burned bills can be salvaged if they’re brought to a bank or credit union within a certain time frame. However, this is typically only allowed if the bill was burned accidentally (like if it was caught in a fire). If the bill was burned on purpose, it’s usually not possible to salvage it.
Of course, every situation is different and it’s always best to consult with an attorney if you’re unsure about whether or not you can salvage a partially-burned bill.
Its is a Wrap!
So there you have it – everything you need to know about burning money. Just remember that it’s generally illegal to do so unless you’re burning money as part of a religious ceremony or as part of a work of art.
If you have any other questions about the law, be sure to consult with an attorney. They’ll be able to give you specific legal advice that applies to your situation.
This article is not intended as legal advice.