Is it crime to intercept certified mail?

[redman24]

What is the name of your state? Tennessee

If I send a USPS certified letter to my son who is 18 years old at her mother's address, and his mother signs for it, is she obligated to give it to my son? And is she committing a crime if she doesn't?

 

[cbg]

There's some relevant post hx

 

[doucar]

If you are concerned, pay the extra fee, if there is one, and have it delivered to addressee only. Then your son will have to sign for it himself.

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

https://faq.usps.com/s/article/What-is-Restricted-Delivery#:~:text=Restricted Delivery permits the mailer,the recipient (or agent).

 

[redman24]

But I just want to know if it's a crime for a parent to sign for but not complete delivery of a certified letter addressed to an 18 year old adult college student who used to live at the same address. That's what my question is

 

[STEPHAN]

If you are concerned, pay the extra fee, if there is one, and have it delivered to addressee only. Then your son will have to sign for it himself.

I use this all the time. Since Covid this does not really mean anything, they don't really follow this instruction.

 

[Zigner]

But I just want to know if it's a crime for a parent to sign for but not complete delivery of a certified letter addressed to an 18 year old adult college student who used to live at the same address. That's what my question is

Strictly as posed, the answer to your question is likely "no". I don't believe there's any duty on the parent to actually deliver the item to the (adult) child.

However, if the person who signs for the mail acts to prevent delivery of the item, that could be a federal felony.

To be clear: If mom signs for the item then tosses it on the pile of mail that's waiting for kiddo to come home from school, then there's likely no crime. However, if mom tosses that mail in the trash, or shreds it (etc.), then there could be a problem. That's what I'm trying to point out.

Of course, your question, as posed, is entirely lacking in details that could affect the answer(s), and I suspect that you are not actually there to witness any acts on mom's part, so everything is hypothetical.

 

[Just Blue]

But I just want to know if it's a crime for a parent to sign for but not complete delivery of a certified letter addressed to an 18 year old adult college student who used to live at the same address. That's what my question is

The child that wants nothing to do with you and you wanted to TPR so you wouldn't have to support him? That child?

IF it is a crime, it would be up to the mail recipient to file a complaint.

How would you know that the mother didn't give the letter to her child? Perhaps the kid just wants nothing to do with you.

 

[Zigner]

The child that wants nothing to do with you and you wanted to TPR so you wouldn't have to support him? That child?

IF it is a crime, it would be up to the mail recipient to file a complaint.

How would you know that the mother didn't give the letter to her child? Perhaps the kid just wants nothing to do with you.

Even further, kiddo could have told mom just to toss it. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[adjusterjack]

And is she committing a crime if she doesn't?

So what if it is?

Do you think the postal authorities are going to put her in jail for it?

 

[Bali Hai Again]

But I just want to know if it's a crime for a parent to sign for but not complete delivery of a certified letter addressed to an 18 year old adult college student who used to live at the same address. That's what my question is

You might find your answer here: https://www.uspis.gov/report

Be aware that the trap you are setting for the mother doesn’t get sprung on you.

 

[quincy]

What is the name of your state? Tennessee

If I send a USPS certified letter to my son who is 18 years old at her mother's address, and his mother signs for it, is she obligated to give it to my son? And is she committing a crime if she doesn't?

In Michigan it could be a crime. See http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-445-33

Tennessee could have a similar law.

But it is possible, maybe even likely, that mom and son communicate with each other on a semi-regular basis and son tells mom what to do with mail received in his name at her address.