Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 45. CRIMES

CHAPTER 6. OFFENSES AGAINST PROPERTY

Part 1. Criminal Mischief and Arson

Criminal Destruction Of Or Tampering With Communication Device

45-6-105. Criminal destruction of or tampering with communication device. (1) A person commits the offense of criminal destruction of or tampering with a communication device if the person purposely or knowingly destroys or tampers with a telephone or other communication device to obstruct, prevent, or interfere with:

(a) the report to any law enforcement agency of any actual criminal offense;

(b) the report to any law enforcement agency of any actual bodily injury or property damage; or

(c) a request made to any governmental agency or to any hospital, doctor, or other medical provider for necessary ambulance or emergency medical assistance.

(2) A person destroys or tampers with a communication device by making the communication device unusable or inoperable, by interrupting its use, or by making it inaccessible.

(3) A person convicted of the offense of criminal destruction of or tampering with a communication device shall be fined an amount not to exceed $1,000 or imprisoned in the county jail for a term not to exceed 6 months, or both.

History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 413, L. 2007.