Shanghai Law and Legal Definition
Shanghaiing refers to the practice of conscripting men as sailors by coercive techniques such as trickery, intimidation, or violence. The term shanghai is the taking of a person against his/her will for compulsory service, especially on board a ship. It also means practice of drugging, tricking, intoxicating or otherwise forcing persons to become sailors.
The following is an example of a federal statute dealing with punishments for shanghaiing sailors.
According to 18 USCS § 2194, if someone procures or induces another person using force or threats to go on board of any vessel, or to enter into any agreement to go on board to perform service or labor, or if a person knowingly detains any person on board or forces such a person to enter into any agreement to go on board will be fined or imprisoned upto one year or both.
