61-3-604. Penalty for altering identification number. (1) A person who willfully removes or falsifies an identification number of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment in the state prison for a period of not more than 10 years, or both.
     (2) Any person or persons, firm, or corporation that sells or offers for sale in this state a vehicle the original vehicle identification number of which has been destroyed, removed, altered, covered, or defaced, with the exception of vehicles bearing a state-assigned identification number in accordance with 61-3-107, is punishable by a fine of not less than $200 or more than $500 and by imprisonment in the county jail for a term of not less than 30 days or more than 180 days. Upon a second or subsequent conviction under this subsection, the punishment shall be imprisonment in the state prison for a term of not less than 1 year or more than 5 years or a fine in an amount not to exceed $50,000, or both.

     History: (1)En. Sec. 1, Ch. 256, L. 1969; Sec. 53-139.1, R.C.M. 1947; (2)En. Sec. 15, Ch. 113, L. 1925; re-en. Sec. 1763.7, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 31, Ch. 121, L. 1965; Sec. 53-139, R.C.M 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 53-139(part), 53-139.1; amd. Sec. 45, Ch. 421, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 198, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 272, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 13, Ch. 724, L. 1991.