Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Pennsylvania Statutes Title 51 Pa.C.S.A. Military Affairs § 6009. Desertion

Current as of January 01, 2022 | Updated by FindLaw Staff

(a) Offense defined.--Any member of the State military forces who:

(1) without authority goes or remains absent from his unit, organization or place of duty with intent to remain away from there permanently;

(2) quits his unit, organization or place of duty with intent to avoid hazardous duty or to shirk important service; or

(3) without being regularly separated from one of the State military forces, enlists or accepts an appointment in the same or another one of the State military forces, or in one of the armed forces of the United States, without fully disclosing the fact that he has not been regularly separated or enters any foreign armed service, except when authorized by the United States;

is guilty of desertion.

(b) Commissioned officer tendering resignation.--Any commissioned officer of the State military forces who, after tender of his resignation and before notice of its acceptance, quits his post or proper duties without leave and with intent to remain away from there permanently is guilty of desertion.

(c) Punishment.--Any person found guilty of desertion or attempt to desert shall be punished, if the offense is committed in time of war, by confinement of not more than five years or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct. If the desertion or attempt to desert occurs at any other time, the person shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

Back to chapter list
Previous part of code Next part of code
Back to chapter list

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Pennsylvania Statutes Title 51 Pa.C.S.A. Military Affairs § 6009. Desertion - last updated January 01, 2022 | https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-51-pacsa-military-affairs/pa-csa-sect-51-6009/

Read this complete Pennsylvania Statutes Title 51 Pa.C.S.A. Military Affairs § 6009. Desertion on Westlaw. Westlaw subscription required.

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature or via Westlaw before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Search all Pennsylvania Codes

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About the Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to find an attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard