Is it legal to read someone else's mail without their permission, even if the letter was already open?
2006-12-27 03:40:10 · 11 answers · asked by david p 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
If not legal, certainly rude. As someone else said, if you do not want it read, then not leaving it lying about is the best approach. After all, once open curiosity may get the better of most people.
Charles "That Cheeky Lad"
2006-12-27 03:44:19 · answer #1 · answered by Charles-CeeJay_UK_ USA/CheekyLad 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It would depend who "They" are.
Example if it was a policeman and they actually had a reason to look at your mail then yes.
But you could press charges if he/she was invading your privacy against your will and didn't have a warrent.
If a person reads your mail right out of your mail box, that would just be trespassing and invasion of property.
But, if the mail leads to some trace of illegal act, then no, they would have the authority to press charges against YOU and/or get away with it.
So it mostly depends on who it is, what's there cause, and HOW did they find you'r mail.
2006-12-27 03:53:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the precise circumstances, but in general, there's absolutely nothing illegal about reading something, no matter what it is. Tampering with the Royal Mail, however, is completely and utterly illegal (for example, opening someone else's mail without their express permission).
2006-12-27 03:43:00 · answer #3 · answered by PETER G 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
From what I understand it is a felony to read other people's mail if you open it or it is opened and hasn't been read by the person whom it is addressed to.
2006-12-27 04:00:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes. only the person it is addressed to should read the mail, anless or course you have changed your name or the name was spelt incorrectly then obviously if it is meant for you you can read it but it is completely unlawful for anyone else to read it without the consent of the adressee. x x
2006-12-27 03:46:37 · answer #5 · answered by love HB 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope. It's illegal to intercept the Royal Mail.
2006-12-30 12:54:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once it's opened, there may be a civil case, but it's not very strong. If the envelope was sealed and delivered through the US postal service, then it would be illegal to open the envelope unless it is addressed to you.
2006-12-27 03:42:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
If already open, I don't think it is illegal. It is a Federal crime if someone other than the addressee opens it. So if you open it, put it away if you don't want them to read.
2006-12-27 03:45:43 · answer #8 · answered by BB 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If the letter was still sealed or in your mailbox, it would be a felony. Since it was already open, it would be invasion of privacy at best.
2006-12-27 03:43:37 · answer #9 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
it's illegal but if you don't want people to read it put it in a safe place
2006-12-27 03:42:07 · answer #10 · answered by missree 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋