If you're over 18, can your parents open and withhold your mail from you if you live with them?

Ok. To try to make a long story short. I'm 24 and was forced to move back in with my parents because I had a freak accident with my right shoulder which tore my labrum, a doctor thinks (didn't have insurance, need an MRI, and I'm right handed) and now I can't write or do much with my right arm, and it's making it extremely difficult to find a new job, especially given my field is in non-profits.

Things with my parents have not been going well. I won't go into details, but, they're on the verge of kicking me out. Tough situation, but, there's a lot of dysfunction that doesn't really have to do with me. I'm just trying to survive here.

Anyhow, recently I took the GRE test for grad school . I suppose the test results came in within the last few days (my parents and I have been going at eachother viciously the last few days). Tonight I was looking for a razor blade in my parents' bathroom because mine dulled out and I desperately needed to shave, and I find my test results, opened, hidden away in a drawer.

I know I've heard it's against the law to open someone else's mail if they are your child and over the age of 18...is that true? Is there anything I can do about this? They not only opened it, but hid it away from me. I'm in semi-disbelief here. Seriously, wt eff.


Locked since the author received the answer to his question.

 

So. . .how did you do?

 

Obviously they can.

 

You shouldn't go through your parents' bathroom drawers like that.

 

This is a betrayal of trust. It is your mail and it is addressed to you.

The only time my parents have opened my mail is if I got important letters while on holidays, then they opened them after they asked if it was okay and told me what they said.

 

How did the razor thing work out?

 

I knew exactly where they were because my dad has given them to me in the past. Yeah, probably shouldn't have, but they weren't home.

It's not only that, but I feel like there was malicious intent behind it. They knew I was waiting for these results.

I got an 1100 and a 5.5/6 on the analytical writing. Could have done better on quantitative, but I got two questions that involved ridiculous calculations and while I should have guessed on them I didn't and guessed on the last 9 questions, so I only got a 570 on Q.

 

The thing is, it's not right to open someone else's personal mail without their permission, regardless of the law.

Here you go.

 

i think i speak for everybody when i say "lol"

 

I think it's one of those "they can, but they shouldn't" things. While it may or may not be technically legal, the fact is that you can't really do anything about it since you're living in their home and receiving mail at that address by choice. One option in the future may be to get a P.O. box. If you're feeling particularly vindicitve, start stealing their mail right back!

 

It's actually a felony to open someone else's mail and withhold it from them, even if you're living under the same roof. It was addressed to me. very clearly.

 

You know what you've gotta do now, don't you?

 

hahahaha that made me lol

 

So, what are you going to do?

I am wondering why they think they had a right to open the mail and hide it, and what they were going to say about it being opened when you eventuall would find out.

Anything wrong with handing you the unopened letter and asking you to to open it and tell them how you went?

 

Katana... did you seriously just cite wiki answers as a source for legal information?

 

That's nothing, I know this guy whose parents are stealing his disability checks.

 

Find me a better one then.

 

Do you have to use your left hand to shave?

 

http://www.usps.com/privacyoffice/intelligentmail.htm

Federal Statutes and Regulations Relating to the Privacy and Security of Mail

The Postal Service has a long tradition of protecting both the cover and contents of mail. Mail protections are grounded in the 4th Amendment, federal criminal and civil statutes, postal statutes and regulations, and court decisions.

Title 18 of the U.S. Code (Crimes and Criminal Procedure) contains all federal criminal laws, including those enforced by the Postal Inspection Service. Title 39 (Postal Service) contains federal civil laws relating to the establishment of the Postal Service and its authority. Other relevant laws are also listed below. The major postal regulations protecting mail are contained in the USPS Administrative Support Manual, Domestic Mail Classification Schedule, Domestic Mail Manual, International Mail Manual, and Postal Operations Manual.

Below are some of the more significant federal laws and regulations that pertain to the privacy and security of the mail.



TITLE 18, U.S. Code: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
Section 1114: Protection of officers and employees of the United States
Section 1701: Obstruction of mails generally
Section 1702: Obstruction of correspondence
Section 1703: Delay or destruction of mail or newspapers
Section 1708: Theft or receipt of stolen mail matter generally
Section 1709: Theft of mail matter by officer or employee (of USPS)
Section 1716: Injurious articles as non-mailable
Section 3061: Investigative powers of Postal Service personnel

TITLE 39, U.S. Code: POSTAL SERVICE
Section 410: Application of other laws (disclosures)
Section 412: Nondisclosure of lists of names and addresses
Section 3003: Mail bearing a fictitious name or address
Section 3004: Delivery of mail to persons not residents of the place of address
Section 3623: Mail Classification (mail sealed against inspection)

OTHER LAWS
Title 5 (Government Organization and Employees), U.S. Code, Section 552a, The Privacy Act of 1974
Title 19 (Customs Duties), U.S. Code, Section 1583, Examination of outbound mail
Title 49 (Transportation), U.S. Code, Section 44901, Screening passengers and property
USPS Administrative Support Manual (ASM)

Section 213: Mail Covers
Section 274: Mail Security
Section 274.1 Importance
Section 274.2 Opening, Searching, and Reading Mail Generally Prohibited
Section 274.3 Permissible Detention of Mail
Section 274.4 Mail Reasonably Suspected of Being Dangerous to Persons or Property
Section 274.5 Disclosure of Information Collected from Mail Sent or Received by Customers


How to Contact Us

We would like to hear from you if you have any questions or comments regarding this privacy policy.

Please contact us at privacy@usps.gov or mail us at:

PRIVACY OFFICE
US POSTAL SERVICE
475 L?ENFANT PLAZA SW RM 10407
WASHINGTON DC 20260-2200

 

You really want to piss them off? Order a bunch of porn. They'll be getting XXX flyers from Adam & Eve long after you're gone.

 

They had no interest in how I did. I think it may have been some stupid power play on their part, or something done out of spite. I don't really know the true answer, but they are looking for any excuse to have me arrested right now for no rational reason other than they think I'm ruining their lives. My mom is a terribly abusive alcoholic and my dad just enables it all and for some reason blames me for it. Whatever. I just want to figure out what my options are as to what I can do. I know it's a dark path, and not one I'm taking lightly, but, after what they've done to me over the past week and even my entire life...I just need to figure this out. It's already past the point of no return.

 

Have them thrown in federal prison, live in their house, sell their furniture for your medical expenses and food and just before they get out, get the account info for the utilities. Once you're kicked out, call the utility companies, give them the account information and have them shut everything off.

 

Sad thing is I wouldn't feel bad about doing that.

 

Slightly off topic, but....


Did you find it difficult switching hands for masturbating due to the injury?

 

it forces me to take a stop and go approach.