Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 45. CRIMES

CHAPTER 7. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Part 2. Perjury and Other Falsification in Official Matters

Tampering With Public Records Or Information

45-7-208. Tampering with public records or information. (1) A person commits the offense of tampering with public records or information if the person:

(a) knowingly makes a false entry in or false alteration of any record, document, legislative bill or enactment, or thing belonging to or received, issued, or kept by the government for information or record or required by law to be kept by others for information of the government;

(b) makes, presents, or uses any record, document, or thing knowing it to be false and with purpose that it be taken as a genuine part of information or records referred to in subsection (1)(a);

(c) purposely destroys, conceals, removes, or otherwise impairs the verity or availability of a record, document, or thing; or

(d) purposely or knowingly misrepresents the person's identity or the use for which personal information is sought in order to obtain personal information from a motor vehicle record under 61-11-507, 61-11-508, or 61-11-509.

(2) A person convicted of the offense of tampering with public records or information shall be imprisoned in the state prison for a term not to exceed 10 years or be fined an amount not to exceed $50,000, or both.

History: En. 94-7-209 by Sec. 1, Ch. 513, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 94-7-209; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 198, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 12, Ch. 363, L. 2001.