Title 13.  OFFENSES AND PENALTIES

 

Part I.  Offenses

 

Chapter 1.  Provisions of General Applicability

 

Section 13.101. Prior offense.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, this title does not apply to an offense committed before the effective date of the Code. For purposes of this section, an offense is committed before the effective date if any of the elements of the offense occurred before that date.

(2) Prosecutions for an offense committed prior to the effective date of the Code are governed by prior law, which is continued in effect for that purpose, as if this Code were not in effect.

Section 13.102. Territorial applicability.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person may be convicted under the law of the State for an offense committed by his own conduct or the conduct of another for which he is legally accountable, if:

(a) either the conduct or the result which is an element of the offense occurs within the State;

(b) conduct occurring outside the State is sufficient under the law of the State to constitute an attempt to commit an offense within the State;

(c) conduct occurring outside the State is sufficient under the law of the State to constitute a conspiracy to commit an offense within the State and an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy occurs within the State;

(d) conduct occurring within the State establishes complicity in the commission of, or an attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit, an offense in another jurisdiction which also is an offense under the law of the State;

(e) the offense consists of the omission, while within or outside the State, to perform a legal duty imposed by the law of the State with respect to domicile, residence, or a relationship to a person, thing, or transaction in the State; or

(f) the offense is based on a statute of the State which expressly prohibits conduct outside the State, when the conduct bears a reasonable relation to a legitimate interest of the State.

Section 13.103. Classification of offenses. A felony is an offense punishable by imprisonment for a period of more than one year. Every other offense is a misdemeanor.

Section 13.104. General principles of responsibility.

(1) Conduct of another

(a) A person is criminally liable for the conduct of another, if:

(1) he intentionally aids, abets, advises, solicits, counsels, or conspires with or otherwise procures the other to commit an offense;

(2) while acting with the state of mind that is sufficient for the commission of the offense, he causes an innocent or irresponsible person to engage in the conduct; or

(3) having a legal duty to prevent the commission of an offense, he fails to make a reasonable effort to do so.

(b) A person liable pursuant to this subsection is also liable for any other offense committed in the furtherance of the intended offense if reasonably foreseeable as a probable consequence of committing or attempting to commit the offense intended;

(c) A person liable pursuant to this subsection may be charged with and convicted of the offense although the person who directly committed it has not been prosecuted or convicted, or has been convicted, or has been convicted of a different offense or degree of an offense or has been acquitted.            

(2) Disease or disorder

(a) A person is not responsible for criminal conduct if, at the time of the conduct as a result of physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect, he lacks substantial capacity either to appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct or to conform his conduct to the requirements of law.

(b) The terms "physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect" do not include an abnormality manifested only by repeated criminal or otherwise antisocial conduct.

(c) Physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect excluding responsibility is an affirmative defense.

(d) When the defendant is acquitted on the ground of physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect excluding responsibility, the verdict and the judgment so states.

(e) Evidence that the defendant suffered from a physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect is admissible whenever it is relevant to prove that the defendant did or did not have a state of mind which is an element of the offense.

(f) No person who, as a result of a physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect, lacks capacity to understand the proceedings against him or to assist in his own defense is tried, convicted, or sentenced for the commission of an offense so long as the incapacity endures.

(g) If the Court determines that the defendant lacks fitness to proceed, the proceedings against him are suspended, and the Court commits him for a reasonable period of time, to an appropriate institution for the purpose of restoring fitness to proceed. If the Court is satisfied that the defendant may be released on conditions without danger to himself or to the person or property of another, the Court orders his release, which continues at the discretion of the Court, on conditions as the Court determines necessary.

(h) When the Court, on its own motion, or upon the application of the institution, or the prosecuting attorney, or the defendant, determines after a hearing, if a hearing is requested, that the defendant has regained fitness to proceed, the proceedings are resumed. If the Court determines that so much time has elapsed due to the defendant's unfitness of the defendant to proceed that it would be unjust to resume the criminal proceedings, the Court may dismiss the charge and may order the defendant to be discharged or, subject to the law governing the civil commitment or conditional release of persons suffering from physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect, order the defendant to be committed or released on conditions as the Court determines necessary.

(i) A statement of a person made under treatment pursuant to this subsection, or made during an examination for the purpose of assessing criminal responsibility or fitness to proceed is not admissible in evidence against him in a criminal proceeding on any issues other than that of his physical or mental condition, excluding criminal responsibility or fitness to proceed, but it is admissible upon those issues whether or not it would otherwise be deemed a privileged communication, unless the statement constitutes an admission of guilt of the offense charged.

(3) Intoxication

(a) An act committed while In a state of voluntary intoxication is not less criminal by reason thereof, but evidence of intoxication of the defendant is admissible to prove or negate the conduct alleged or the state of mind which is an element of the offense.

(b) Intoxication does not constitute by itself a physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect within the meaning of subsection (2).

(c) When recklessness establishes an element of the offense, if the defendant is voluntarily intoxicated, a resulting unawareness is immaterial.

(d) "Intoxication" is a disturbance of mental or physical capabilities resulting from the introduction of substances into the body.

(4) Age

(a) Children under the age of ten are conclusively presumed to be incapable of committing an offense. Children between the ages of ten and fourteen are also conclusively presumed to be incapable of committing an offense, except the offenses of murder and rape, in which case the presumption is rebuttable. This section does not prevent proceedings pursuant to Chapter 48 of Title 6.

Section 13.105. Principal and accessory.

(1) A principal is a person who commits an offense or aids, abets, counsels, commands, induces, or procures its commission or who causes an act to be done, which, if directly performed by him, would be an offense. No distinction is made between principals in the first and second degrees, and no distinction is made between a principal and an accessory before the fact.

(2) An accessory is a person who, knowing that an offense has been committed, receives, relieves, comforts, or assists the offender in order to hinder or prevent his apprehension, trial, or punishment.

Section 13.106.  Time limitations for beginning prosecutions.

(1)  A prosecution for murder may be commenced at any time.

(2)  Except as otherwise provided in this Code, prosecution for other offenses are subject to the following time limitations:

(a)  A prosecution for a felony must be commenced within three years  after it is committed.

(b)  A prosecution for a misdemeanor must be commenced within one year after it is committed.

(3)  If the time limitation set forth in subsection (2) of this section has expired, a prosecution may nevertheless be commenced for:

(a)  Any offense, an element of which is either fraud or a breach of fiduciary obligation, within one year of discovery of the offense by the aggrieved party or by a person who has a legal duty to represent an aggrieved party and who is himself not a party to the offense, but in no case shall this provision extend the period of limitation otherwise applicable by more than three years; or

(b)  Any offense based on misconduct in office by a public officer or employee at any time when the defendant is in public office or employment or within two years thereafter, but in no case shall this provision extend the period of limitation otherwise applicable by more than three years.

(4)                                                              The time limitation does not run:

(a)  During any time when the accused is continuously absent from the complaining jurisdiction or has no reasonably determinable place of abode or work within the jurisdiction; or

(b)  During any time when a prosecution against the accused for the same conduct is pending in this jurisdiction.

(5)  A prosecution is commenced when an information is filed in Court.

Background

Added by State Law 7-42.

 

Chapter 2.  Offenses of General Applicability

 

Section 13.201. Accessory. Accessory is knowing that an offense has been committed, and receiving, relieving, comforting, or assisting the offender in order to hinder or prevent his apprehension, trial, or punishment. The penalty for accessory is provided in Section 13.1101 (1).

Section 13.202. Attempt. Attempt is attempting to commit any of the offenses named in this title, which attempt falls short of actual commission of the offense itself. The penalty for attempt is provided in Section 13.1101 (2).

Section 13.203. Conspiracy. Conspiracy is agreeing with one or more persons with intent to promote or facilitate the commission of an offense, that they, or one or more of them, will engage in or solicit the conduct or will cause or solicit the result specified by the definition of the offense and causing the commission, by himself or by a person with whom he conspired, of an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy. If a person conspires to commit a number of offenses, he is guilty of only one conspiracy if the multiple offenses are the object of the same agreement or continuous conspiratorial relationship. It is an affirmative defense that the defendant, under circumstances showing a complete and voluntary renunciation of his criminal intent, made a reasonable effort to prevent the conduct or result which is the object of the conspiracy. The penalty for conspiracy is provided in Section 13.1101 (3).

 

Chapter 3.  Offenses Against the Person

 

Section 13.301. Aggravated assault. Aggravated assault is assaulting, striking, beating, or wounding another with a dangerous weapon, with an intent to kill, rape, rob, inflict grievous bodily harm, or to commit any other felony. Aggravated assault is a category one felony.

Section 13.302. Assault. Assault is offering or attempting, with force or violence, to strike, beat, wound, or to do bodily harm to another. Assault is a category three misdemeanor.

Background

Amended by State Law 4-53.

Section 13.303. Assault and battery. Assault and battery is striking, beating, wounding, or otherwise doing bodily harm to another. Assault and battery is a category one misdemeanor.

Section 13.304. False arrest. False arrest is detaining another without authority by force and against his will. False arrest is a category one misdemeanor.

Section 13.305. Involuntary manslaughter. Involuntary manslaughter is taking the life of another without malice, in commission of an unlawful act not amounting to a felony, or in the commission of a lawful act which might produce death in an unlawful manner or without due caution and circumspection. Involuntary manslaughter is a category one felony.

Section 13.306. Kidnapping. Kidnapping is forcibly or fraudulently and deceitfully, and without authority, imprisoning, seizing, detaining, or inveigling away any person (other than his minor child), with intent to cause the person to be secreted against his will, or sent out of the State against his will, or sold or held as a slave or for ransom. Kidnapping is a category one felony.

Section 13.307. Mayhem. Mayhem is cutting, biting, or slitting the nose, ear, or lip, or cutting off or disabling the tongue, or putting out or destroying an eye, or cutting off or disabling a limb or any member or part of another person with intent to maim or disfigure. Mayhem is a category one felony.

Section 13.308. Murder: first degree. Murder in the first degree is taking the life of another with malice aforethought by poison, lying in wait, torture, or any other kind of willful, deliberate, malicious, and premeditated killing, or while in the perpetration of, or in the attempt to perpetrate, arson, rape, burglary, or robbery.  Murder in the first degree is punishable by imprisonment not exceeding or equaling twenty years, a fine not exceeding twenty thousand dollars, or both.

Background

Amended by State Law 7-54.

Section 13.309. Murder:  second degree. Murder in the second degree is taking the life of another with malice aforethought, or while in the perpetration of, or in the attempt to perpetrate, any felony other than those enumerated in Section 13.308 of this chapter. Murder in the second degree is punishable by imprisonment not exceeding or equaling twenty years, a fine not exceeding twenty thousand dollars, or both.

Background

Amended by State Law 7-54. 

Section 13.310. Robbery. Robbery is stealing, taking or carrying away the personal property of another, of whatever value, from his person or in his presence and against his will, by the use of force or intimidation, with the intent to convert permanently the property to his own use. Robbery is a category one felony.

Section 13.311. Sexual assault. Sexual assault is intentionally subjecting another person to sexual penetration, or forcing another person to make a sexual penetration on himself or another or on an animal, against the other person's will, or under conditions in which the offender knows or should know that the other person is mentally or physically incapable of resisting or understanding the nature of his conduct. Sexual penetration is sexual intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio, anal or oral intercourse, or the causing of penetration of the genital, anal, or oral opening of another to any extent and with any object whether or not there is an emission. Sexual assault is a category one felony if serious bodily or psychological injury to the victim results; otherwise, sexual assault is a category two felony.

Section 13.312. Sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is intentionally having sexual contact with another person who is less than thirteen years old or causing the person to have sexual contact with the offender. Sexual contact means any touching of the sexual or other intimate parts of another done with the intent of gratifying the sexual desire of either party. Sexual abuse is a category one felony.

Section 13.313. Defamation. Defamation is maliciously defaming by making a false statement either by writing, printing, or by signs or pictures, or the like, or by an oral statement, whether or not it is communicated through or by radio or any mechanical or other means or device whatsoever, tending to blacken the memory of one who is dead, or to impeach the honesty, integrity, virtue or reputation of one who is living, or of any educational, literary, social, fraternal, benevolent or religious corporation, association or organization, and thereby exposing him or it to public hatred, contempt, or ridicule. Words uttered in the proper discharge of an official duty, in a legislative or judicial proceeding, in an official proceeding authorized by law, are privileged and are not a defamation within the meaning of this section. Defamation is a category one misdemeanor.

Section 13.314. Voluntary manslaughter. Voluntary manslaughter is taking the life of another without malice aforethought, upon a sudden quarrel or heat of passion. Voluntary manslaughter is a category one felony.

 

Chapter 4. Offenses Against Property

 

Section 13.401. Arson. Arson is starting a fire or causing an explosion with the purpose of:

(1) destroying a building or occupied structure of another; or

(2) destroying or damaging property, whether the offender's or another's to collect insurance for the loss. Arson is a category two felony.

Section 13.402. Reckless burning or exploding. Reckless burning or exploding is starting a fire or explosion, whether on the offender's property or another's and thereby recklessly:

(a) placing another in danger of death or bodily injury; or

(b) placing a building or occupied structure of another in danger of damage or destruction. It is an affirmative defense that the conduct did not recklessly endanger a building or occupied structure of another, or place a person in danger of death or bodily injury. If a building or structure is divided into separately occupied units, a unit not occupied by the offender is an occupied structure of another. Property is that of another if anyone other than the defendant has a possessory or proprietary interest therein. Reckless burning or exploding is a category three felony.

Section 13.403. Burglary. Burglary is entering by force, stealth or trickery, the dwelling place or building of another with the intent to commit a felony, larceny, assault, or assault and battery therein. Burglary is a category one felony.

Section 13.404. Cheating. Cheating is obtaining the property or money of another by false pretenses, knowing the pretenses to be false, with the intent to deprive the owner of his property or money. If the value of the property thus obtained is fifty dollars or more, cheating is a category one felony. If the value of the property is less than fifty dollars, cheating is a category one misdemeanor.

Section 13.405. Embezzlement. Embezzlement is using, taking, or carrying away the personal property of another, without the owner's consent, and with the intent to convert it permanently to one's own use after having lawfully obtained possession of the personal property. If the value of the property is fifty dollars or more, embezzlement is a category one felony. If the value of the property is less than fifty dollars, embezzlement is a category one misdemeanor.

Section 13.406. Grand larceny. Grand larceny is stealing, taking, or carrying away the personal property of another, of the value of fifty dollars or more, without the owner's consent, and with the intent to convert it to one's own use. Grand larceny is a category one felony.

Section 13.407. Larceny from a dwelling place.  Larceny from a dwelling place is stealing, taking, or carrying away the personal property of another from the dwelling place of another, without the consent of the owner of the dwelling place or the owner of the personal property, and with the intent to convert the personal property to one's own use. Larceny from a dwelling place is a category two felony.

Section 13.408. Malicious mischief. Malicious mischief is wilfully destroying, damaging, or injuring property belonging to another. Malicious mischief is a category one misdemeanor.

Section 13.409. Petty larceny. Petty larceny is stealing, taking, or carrying away the personal property of another, the value of which is less than fifty dollars, without the owner's consent, and with the intent to convert it to one's own use. Petty larceny is a category one misdemeanor.

Section 13.410. Receiving stolen goods. Receiving stolen goods is taking into possession property which the receiver knows to be stolen or embezzled, and converting the property to his own use or taking an action inconsistent with the rights of the owner. Receiving stolen goods is a category two misdemeanor.

Section 13.411. Tampering with mail. Tampering with mail is wilfully opening, destroying, damaging, or taking into possession without the express or implied consent of the sender or addressee a postcard, letter, package, envelope or parcel entrusted by the sender to another for delivery to a third person. This section does not apply to a person employed by a postal, government, or private courier service who acts in good faith in performance of his official duties. Tampering with mail is a category three misdemeanor.

Section 13.412. Trespass. Trespass is entering, or causing an object to enter, the dwelling place, premises, or property of another without his express or implied consent, or entering with his consent and, following withdrawal of the consent, refusing to leave the dwelling place, premises, or property. Trespass is a category two misdemeanor.

Section 13.413. Unlawful issuance of bank check or draft. Unlawful issuance of a bank check or draft is:

(1) the procuring of an article or thing of value for the payment of a past due obligation by making, drawing, uttering, or delivering a check, draft, or order for payment of money upon a bank or other depository, knowing at the time that the maker or drawer has not or will not have sufficient funds in, or credit with, the bank or other depository for payment in full upon its presentment of that check, draft, or order. if the value of the property thus obtained is fifty dollars or more, unlawful issuance of bank check or draft is a category three felony. If the value of the property thus obtained is less than fifty dollars, unlawful issuance of bank check or draft is a category two misdemeanor.

(2) The making, drawing, uttering, or delivering by a maker or drawer of a check, draft, or order, payment of which is refused by the drawee because of insufficient funds of the maker or drawer in the drawee's possession or control, is prima facie evidence of knowledge of insufficient funds in, or credit with, that bank or other depository, unless the maker or drawer pays the holder the amount due within five days after receiving notice, orally or in writing, that the check, draft, or order was not paid on presentment.

(3) In this section the word "credit" means an arrangement or an understanding expressed or implied, with the bank or other depository for the payment of the check, draft, or order.

 

Section 13.414.  Theft of services.

(1)  A person commits theft if he purposely obtains services which he knows are available only for compensation, by deception or threat, or by false token or other means to avoid payment for the services.  “Services” includes labor, professional service, transportation, telephone or other public service, accommodation in hotels, restaurants, or elsewhere, admission to exhibitions, and use of vehicles or other movable property.

(2)  A person commits theft if, having control over the disposition of services to other to which he is not entitled, he knowingly diverts such services to his own benefit or to the benefit of another not entitled thereto.

Theft of services is a category three misdemeanor.

Background

Added by State Law 7-73.

 

Chapter 5.  Offenses Against the Public Welfare and .i.Tradition

 

Section 13.501. Abortion. Abortion is intentionally causing the miscarriage of a pregnant woman or the premature delivery of an infant except to save the life of the mother or the infant. Abortion is a category one felony.

Section 13.502. Bigamy. Bigamy is being legally married and wilfully marrying another, except that no person is guilty of bigamy whose wife or husband has been absent for a period of five years, without being known by such person to be alive during that time. Bigamy is a category three felony.

Section 13.503. Disturbing the peace. Disturbing the peace is wilfully committing any act which unreasonably annoys or disturbs another so that he is deprived of peace and quiet, or which provokes a breach of the peace. Disturbing the peace is a category two misdemeanor.

Section 13.504. Drunken and disorderly conduct. Drunken and disorderly conduct is being drunk and disorderly on any street, road, or other public place from the voluntary use of intoxicating liquor. Drunken and disorderly conduct is a category three misdemeanor.

Section 13.505. Incest. Incest is engaging in sexual intercourse with a person within the second degree of blood relationship. Incest is a category one felony.

Section 13.506. Littering. Littering is the wilful or negligent throwing, dropping, placing, depositing, or sweeping of any waste matter on land or water in other than appropriate storage containers or areas designated for such purposes. Waste matter is discarded, used, or left-over substances including, but not limited to, a lit or unlit cigarette, cigar, match, or a flaming or glowing material, or any garbage, trash, refuse, paper, container, packaging or construction material, carcass of a dead animal, any noxious or offensive matter, or any object likely to injure a person or create a traffic hazard.

It is unlawful to litter property, or to dump waste matter in or upon a public or private road, including any portion of the right-of-way thereof, or in or upon private property into or upon which the public is admitted by easement or license, or upon private property without the consent of the owner, or in or upon a public park or other public property other than property designated or set aside for such purpose. It is unlawful to deposit or dump, rocks or dirt in or upon a private road, including any portion of the right-of-way, or upon private property, without the consent of the owner, or in or upon a public park or other public property, without the consent of the authority having jurisdiction over the road or property.

No portion of this section is construed to restrict an owner in the use of his private property, except that the depositing or dumping of waste matter on the property may not create a public nuisance as defined by this chapter. Littering is a category three misdemeanor.

Section 13.507. Obstructing entry upon or passage through public lands. Obstructing entry upon or passage through public lands is preventing, hindering, or obstructing a person from peaceably entering upon or establishing a settlement or residence on any tract of public land; or hindering, preventing, or obstructing free passage of others over or through public lands. Obstructing entry upon or passage through public lands is a category three misdemeanor.

Section 13.508. Offensive behavior in a public place. Offensive behavior in a public place is:

(1) fighting or challenging another person to a fight in a public place; or

(2) using words in a public place which are calculated to provoke an immediate violent reaction.

Offensive behavior in a public place is a category three misdemeanor.

Background

Amended by State Law 7-43.

Section 13.509. Public nuisance. Public nuisance is committing an act which is injurious to health, or indecent, or offensive to the senses, or an obstruction to the free use of property, and which interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property by an entire community or neighborhood, or by a considerable number of persons; or an act which obstructs the free passage or use, in the customary manner, of any navigable lake, river, bay, stream, canal, or basin, or a public park, square, street, or road, or wilfully omitting to perform a legal duty relating to the removal of a public nuisance. Public nuisance is a category three misdemeanor.

Section 13.510. Returning to land. Returning to land is returning to land from which one has been removed by process of law, or by the lawful adjudication or direction of any court, agency, or officer, in a proceeding to settle, reside upon, or take possession of such land. Returning to land is a category three felony.

Section 13.511. Riot. Riot is the assembly of three or more persons who by force, violence or breach of peace place others in fear or danger. Riot is a category one misdemeanor.

Section 13.512. Tampering with antiquities. Tampering with antiquities is disturbing, removing, damaging, or selling matter belonging to antiquities unless the user has authorization pursuant to the regulations issued pursuant to Section 11.1402, or the user owns the matter. Tampering with antiquities is a category one misdemeanor.

Section 13.513. Trespass by pig. Trespass by pig is owning a pig and failing to prevent the pig's entering land of another without the consent of the landowner or custodian; or owning a pig and failing to maintain a pig enclosure that meets the requirements of regulations promulgated pursuant to Section 11.1503; or owning or having custody of a pig and wilfully or negligently allowing it to become a foraging pig. Trespass by pig is a category one misdemeanor.

Section 13.514. Fouling of public rivers and public water supply. Fouling of public rivers and public water supply is introducing impurities into a stream, river or public water supply, except for the introduction of impurities in a stream or river in connection with the washing of clothes or a person. Fouling of public rivers and public water supply is a category one misdemeanor.

Section 13.515. Wagering by a minor. Wagering by a minor is being a minor and wagering or betting on a game or contest, or being an adult and betting with a minor on a game or contest. Wagering by a minor is a category three misdemeanor.

Section 13.516. Unauthorized selling of alcoholic drink. Unauthorized selling of alcoholic drink is any of the following acts:

(1) selling alcoholic drink without possessing and displaying conspicuously at the place of sale a license authorizing that specific sale activity;

(2) selling alcoholic drink by wholesale sales at a time other than between 0800 hours and 2200 hours Monday through Saturday;

(3) selling alcoholic drink by retail sales to a person who has not displayed to the seller a valid drinking permit;

(4) selling alcoholic drink by retail sales at a time other than between 0800 hours and 2200 hours Monday through Saturday;

(5) selling alcoholic drink by retail sales within 100 feet of a school, church, municipal office building or hospital;

(6) being the holder of a retail sale license and permitting consumption of the alcoholic drink sold on the property upon which stands the commercial facility where the retail sale occurs;

(7) selling alcoholic drink by bar sales to a person who has not displayed a valid drinking permit;

(8) selling alcoholic drink by bar sales at a time other than between 1300 hours and 2400 hours Monday through Saturday;

(9) selling alcoholic drink by bar sales from a facility located within 3000 feet of a school, church, municipal office building or hospital or 200 feet from the residence of another or 100 feet from a road;

(10) being the holder of a bar sales license and permitting a person to bring into or take out of the bar an alcoholic drink or permitting consumption of an alcoholic drink outside the bar and on the property upon which stands the bar;

(11) selling alcoholic drink by restaurant sales to a person who has not displayed a valid drinking permit and is not a seated diner at a restaurant ordering alcoholic drinks as part of a meal

(12) being the holder of any type of alcoholic sale license and employing in connection with such sale a minor;

(13) being the holder of a restaurant license and permitting the consumption of alcoholic drink in any place other than a designated dining area; or

(14) selling or consuming alcoholic drink on the day of an election to State government office until one hour after the polls have closed;

(15) selling alcoholic drink on Gospel Day or the day on which it is celebrated pursuant to Section 22.501(3), or December 25.

Unauthorized selling of alcoholic drink is a category one misdemeanor.

Cross-reference:

For delayed effect see Section 1.304(3).

Background

Amended by State Laws 4-5, 5-35 and 6-51.  Subsection (15) was amended by State Law 7-117.

Section 13.517. Unauthorized consuming, possessing or giving of alcoholic drink. Unauthorized consuming, possessing or giving of alcoholic drink is any of the following acts:

(1) consuming alcoholic drink on Sunday, Gospel Day or the day on which it is celebrated pursuant to Section 2.501(3), or on December 25;

(2) consuming or possessing alcoholic drink without being in actual possession of a valid drinking permit;

(3) giving or selling alcoholic drink to a minor;

(4) consuming an alcoholic drink or possessing an open container of alcoholic drink in a public place except when such place is closed to the general public for the purpose of conducting a private party, reception or social gathering and admission is by invitation or as otherwise provided by law;

(5) consuming an alcoholic drink or possessing an open container of alcoholic drink on private land without the permission of the owner or tenant thereof;

(6) opening a container of alcoholic drink unless it has first been sold at a licensed retail, bar, or restaurant sale or has legally been brought into the State for personal use;

(7) manufacturing an alcoholic drink in the State;

(8) opening or attempting to buy alcoholic drink without being in actual possession of a valid drinking permit; or

(9) giving alcoholic drink to a person who is not in actual possession of a valid drinking permit.

A person using alcoholic drink for a bonafide religious purpose is exempt from the foregoing provisions. Unauthorized possessing, consuming or giving alcoholic drink is a category one misdemeanor.

Cross-reference:

For delayed effect see Section 1.304(3).

Background

Amended by State Law 5-35.  Subsection (1) was a mended by State Law 7-117.

Section 13.518. Usury. Usury is receiving directly or indirectly any interest, discount or consideration greater than two percent per month for or upon a loan or forbearance to enforce payment of money or goods.  Usury is a category one misdemeanor.

Section 13.519. Violating State waters. Violating State fishery waters is entering or remaining within State fishery waters without proper authorization in violation of Section 19.408 or in violation of a lawful order. This section does not apply to ships entering for stress of weather or force majeure.

Violating State fishery waters is a category one misdemeanor.

Background

Amended by State Law 7-99.

Section 13.520. Failing to make commercial disclosure. Failing to make commercial disclosure is being a commercial bank or lending institution and failing to disclose in connection with any savings account, checking account, loan, shipping transaction or other commercial transaction the fees which are to be charged in connection therewith, including all interest which is to be assessed or granted, the rate and terms of any interest, including penalty and forfeiture terms, the precise manner in which any such interest will accrue or be assessed, and in the case of a loan, the dollar amount to be paid as interest. Disclosure is in writing and provided in both English and Kosraean. Failing to make commercial disclosure is a category one misdemeanor.

Section 13.521. Unfair business practice. Unfair business practice is any of the following acts:

(1) Passing off goods or services as those of another;

(2) Causing likelihood of confusion or of misunderstanding as to the source, sponsorship, approval, or certification of goods or services;

(3) Causing likelihood of confusion or misunderstanding as to affiliation, connection, or association with, or certification by, another;

(4) Using deceptive representations or designations of geographic origin in connection with goods or services;

(5) Representing that goods or services have sponsorship, approval, characteristics, ingredients, uses, benefits, or quantities that they do not have or that a person has a sponsorship, approval, status, affiliation, or connection that he does not have;

(6) Representing that goods are original or new if they are deteriorated, altered, reconditioned, reclaimed, used, or secondhand;

(7) Representing that goods or services are of a particular standard, quality, or grade, or that goods are of a particular style or model, if they are of another;

(8) Disparaging the goods, services, or business of another by false or misleading representation of fact;

(9) Advertising goods or services with intent not to sell them as advertised;

(10) Advertising goods or services with intent not to supply reasonable public demand, unless the advertisement discloses a limitation of quantity;

(11) Making false or misleading statements of fact concerning the reasons for, existence of, or amounts of price reductions;

(12) Engaging in any other conduct which similarly creates a likelihood of confusion or of misunderstanding;

(13) Including in the price of an item at first sale the cost of anything other than:

(a) cost of the goods;

(b) actual charges for inland and overseas freight;

(c) insurance;

(d) import taxes, duties and bank charges;

(e) van charges;

(f) handling and stevedoring charges; and

(g) a sum not greater than 50% of the cost of the goods;

(14) Including in the price of a second or subsequent sale the cost of anything other than;

(a) the price paid or promised to be paid to the previous seller;

(b) actual charges for transportation of goods from place of previous sale in the State to place of second sale; and

(c) a sum not greater than 20% of the price paid or promised to be paid to the previous seller;

(15) Failing to display at sale the price of an item offered for sale in a manner clearly visible to the buyer; or

(16) Failing to separate wholesale and retail records or to distinguish between goods being sold at wholesale and goods being sold at retail. Unfair business practice is a category one misdemeanor.

Section 13.522. Antitrust. Antitrust is combining with one or more to create or use an existing combination of capital, skill or acts intending:

(1) To create or carry out restrictions in trade or commerce.

(2) To limit or reduce the production, or increase the price of, merchandise or of a commodity.

(3) To prevent competition in the manufacture, making, transportation, sale, or purchase of any merchandise, produce or commodity.

(4) To discriminate in price between different purchasers of commodities of like grade and quality, where the effect of such discrimination is to substantially lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly in a line of commerce, except that differentials in price which make allowance only for differences in the cost of manufacture, sale or delivery resulting from the differing methods or quantities in which such commodities are to be purchased, sold and delivered are permitted.

(5) To make or enter into or carry out any contract, obligation or agreement by which the persons do any of the following acts:

(a) bind themselves not to sell, dispose of or transport any article or commodity below a common standard figure or fixed value.

(b) agree to keep the price of such article, commodity or transportation at a fixed or graduated figure.

(c) establish or set the price of any article, commodity or transportation between them or themselves and others, so as directly or indirectly to preclude free and unrestricted competition among themselves in the sale or transportation of any such article or commodity.

(d) agree to pool, combine directly or indirectly, or unite any interest connected with the sale or transportation, of an article or commodity intending to affect the price of the article or commodity. Antitrust is a category one misdemeanor.

Section 13.523. Unauthorized procuring of aquatic life. Unauthorized procuring of aquatic life is any of the following:

(1) Any violation of Section 19.417;

(2) Any violation of Section 19.413;

(3) Any violation of Section 19.411;

(4) Procuring fish or other aquatic life from midnight Saturday to midnight Sunday; and

(5)  Engaging in the commercial harvesting, commercial processing, or commercial exportation of sea cucumbers without a permit, in violation of any permit conditions, or in violation of regulation(s) drafted pursuant to Section 11.1102; or

(6)  Possessing more than five (5) sea cucumbers without a permit, in violation of any permit conditions, or in violation of regulations drafted pursuant to Section 11.1102.

Unauthorized procuring of aquatic life is a category one misdemeanor.  

Background

Amended by State Laws 4-116, 5-139, and 5-196.  Former Subsections (10) and (11 [now Subsections (5) and (6)] were added by State Law 7-78.  Amended by State Law 7-99.

Section 13.524. Endangering a species. Endangering a species is taking, possessing, exporting or engaging in any commercial activity concerning any endangered species of plant or animal, as such are identified by regulations published pursuant to Title 19 or Section 11.1601.

Endangering a species is a category one misdemeanor.

Background

Amended by State Law 7-99.

Section 13.525. Violating marine space. Violating marine space is entering or remaining within the marine space of the State without having complied with Sections [14.1101 and 14.1102]  This section does not apply to a person aboard a ship entering for innocent passage, stress of weather or force majeure. Violating marine space is a category one misdemeanor.

Section 13.526. Unauthorized foreign business. Unauthorized foreign business is engaging in business as defined in Section 15.303(5) of the Kosrae State Code without having complied with Section 15.304 of the Kosrae State Code, or engaging in business not authorized by a Foreign Investment Permit (issued by the FSM or Kosrae State), or failing to comply with the provisions of the Kosrae State Foreign Investment Regulations. Unauthorized foreign business is a category one misdemeanor.

Background

Amended by State Law 6-163.

Section 13.527. Unauthorized noncitizen employment. Unauthorized noncitizen employment is being a noncitizen employee or being an employer of a noncitizen and failing to comply with Chapter 5 of Title 15. Unauthorized noncitizen employment is a category one misdemeanor.

Section 13.528. Failure to obtain a certificate of freedom from communicable disease. Failure to obtain a certificate of freedom from communicable disease is being a nonresident worker and failing to possess a certificate issued pursuant to Chapter 13 of Title 12 certifying that the worker and members of his accompanying family are free from communicable disease or failing to take a physical examination within ten days of entry into the State. Failure to obtain a certificate of freedom from communicable disease is a category three misdemeanor.

Section 13.529. Failing to tend a fire. Failing to tend a fire is starting a fire during a heavy wind or without sufficient help present to control the fire, or failing to watch the fire or designate a competent person to watch the fire until it is put out. Failing to tend a fire is a category three misdemeanor.

Section 13.530. Polluting. Polluting is wilfully or negligently discharging pollutants in violation of Chapter 4 of Title 7 or in violation of any condition or limitation included in a permit issued pursuant to Chapter 4 of Title 7 or, in the case of introduction of pollutants into publicly owned treatment works, violating a pretreatment standard or toxic effluent standard. Polluting is a category one misdemeanor.

Section 13.531. Possessing a controlled substance. Possessing a controlled substance is knowingly or intentionally possessing a controlled substance unless such substance was obtained directly from or pursuant to a valid prescription or order of a practitioner while acting in the course of his professional practice. Possessing a controlled substance other than marijuana is a category one misdemeanor. Possessing one ounce or less of [marijuana] is a category three misdemeanor. Possessing more than one ounce but less than two and two-tenths pounds of marijuana is a category two misdemeanor. Possessing two and two-tenths pounds of marijuana or more is a category one misdemeanor.

Background

Amended by State Law 4-35.

Section 13.532. Trafficking in controlled substance. Trafficking in controlled substance is knowingly or intentionally manufacturing, delivering or possessing with intent to manufacture, deliver or dispense a controlled substance or creating, distributing or possessing with intent to deliver a counterfeit controlled substance. Trafficking in a controlled substance is a category one felony.

Section 13.533. Aiding a suicide. Aiding a suicide is knowingly assisting a person in the taking of his own life. Aiding a suicide is a category three felony.

Section 13.534. Unlawful Pigeon Hunting. Unlawful pigeon hunting is the taking, wounding, or killing of any pigeon from the first day of February to the thirty-first day of December inclusive, or during January from midnight Saturday to midnight Sunday. Unlawful pigeon hunting is a category one misdemeanor.

Background

Added by State Law 4-143 and amended by State Law 5-98.

 Section 13.535.  Providing tobacco to a minor. Providing tobacco to a minor is selling or delivering a tobacco-containing product to, or for the use of, a person under eighteen years of age, knowing that the person receiving or to be using the tobacco containing product is under eighteen years of age. Providing tobacco to a minor is a category two misdemeanor.

Background

Added by State Law 5-54.

Section 13.535 [13.536] Building code violation. In addition to any other remedy or penalty available by law, any person, having been served with an order of the Building Officer, who shall fail to comply with such order within the time fixed by the Building Officer, and any owner, builder, architect, tenant, contractor, subcontractor, construction superintendent or their agents, or any other person taking part or assisting in the construction or use of any building or who knowingly [violates] any of the applicable provisions of the Kosrae State Building Code is, upon conviction, guilty of a category four misdemeanor. Each day of the violation constitutes a separate offense.

Background

Added  by State Law 5-75.

Section 13.537. Display of indecent material in a place where minors may frequent. Display of indecent material to minors in a place where minors may frequent is the exhibition of indecent material in a public place, including a business open to minors, except under circumstances where reasonable care is taken to avoid view by minors. Indecent material is material, taken as a whole, the predominant appeal of which to the average person, applying contemporary community standards of the State of Kosrae, is to a shameful or morbid interest in nudity, sex, or excretion; and is matter which taken as a whole goes substantially beyond customary limits of candor in description or representation of such matters, giving due consideration to the preservation of custom and tradition; and is matter which taken as a whole is utterly without redeeming social importance for minors. Display of indecent material in a place where minors may frequent is a category three misdemeanor. 

Background

Added  by State Law 5-203.

Section 13.538.  Possession of a firearm by a Minor.  A minor, above the age of fourteen, who has in his or her possession or under his or her custody or control a firearm shall be guilty of a Category 4 misdemeanor.  The State shall confiscate the firearm found in the possession of any minor and return it to its rightful owner or to the minor when the minor reaches the age of eighteen.  Under this section firearm shall mean any device that is capable of discharging any projectile through a barrel by the force of explosion, a form of combustion, spring action, air pressure or CO2 cartridges.  Firearms shall include all rifles, guns, BB or pellet devices.

Background

Added by State Law 7-7 as Section 13.538.  State Laws 7-9 and 7-18 also enacted  unrelated provisions as Section 13.538 (see Background for Section 13.540 and Section 13.541 below.  The provision added by State Law 7-9 was renumbered by State Law 7-95 as Section 13.540.  The provision added by State Law 7-18 was renumbered by State Law 7-95 as Section 13.541.

Section 13.539.  Providing a firearm to a Minor.  Any person who provides a firearm to a minor shall be guilty of a Category 1 misdemeanor.  Under this section firearm shall mean any device that is capable of discharging any projectile through a barrel by the force of explosion, a form of combustion, spring action, air pressure or CO2 cartridges.  Firearms shall include all rifles, guns, BB or pellet devices.

Background

Added by State Law 7-7.

Section 13.540.  Importation, possession and selling of firecrackers and fireworks.  Importation of firecrackers and fireworks is the act of bringing or procuring firecrackers and other fireworks into the State.  Possession of firecrackers and fireworks, designed for amusement purposes, is having control of any of the following: firecrackers and fireworks designed for amusement.  Selling firecrackers and fireworks for amusement under this section includes selling, furnishing, trading, giving away of firecrackers and fireworks designed for amusement.

(a)  Importation and selling of firecrackers and fireworks is a Category 2 misdemeanors.

(b)  Possession of firecrackers or fireworks is a Category 4 misdemeanor.

Background

Added by State Law 7-9 as Section 13.538.  State Laws 7-7 and 7-18 also enacted unrelated provisions as Section 13.538 (see Background for Section 13.538 above and Section 13.541 below).  The provision added by State Law 7-7 was renumbered by State Law 7-95 as Section 13.538.  The provision added by State Law 7-18 was renumbered by State Law 7-95 as Section 13.541.

Section 13.541.  Endangering the Kosrae White-eye.  Endangering the Kosrae White-eye or “Trum” is the killing, injuring, capturing, possessing or exporting of the Kosrae White-eye or “Trum.”  Endangering the Kosrae White-eye is a category three misdemeanor.

Background

Added by State Law 7-18 as Section 13.538.  State Laws 7-7 and 7-9 also enacted  unrelated provisions as Section 13.538 (see Background for Section 13.538 and Section 13.540 above.  The provision added by State Law 7-7 was renumbered by State Law 7-95 as Section 13.538.  The provision added by State Law 7-9 was renumbered by State Law 7-95 as Section 13.540.

 

                     Section 13.542.  Marine resource violation.  Marine resource violation is committing any act in violation of Section 19.401.

                     Marine resource violation is a category one misdemeanor.

Background

Added by State Law 7-99.

 

                     Section 13.543.  Unauthorized foreign fishing.  Unauthorized foreign fishing is fishing in violation of Section 19.402 or Section 19.403.

                     Unauthorized foreign fishing is a category three felony.

Background

Added by State Law 7-99.

 

                     Section 13.544.  Unauthorized fishing.  Unauthorized fishing is fishing in violation of Section 19.404, Section 19.405 or Section 19.406.

                     Unauthorized fishing is a category one misdemeanor.

Background

Added by State Law 7-99.

 

                     Section 13.545.  Unauthorized development or activity in the State fishery waters.  Unauthorized development or activity in the State fishery waters is any act in violation of Section 19.407.

                     Unauthorized development or activity in the State fishery waters is a category one misdemeanor.

Background

Added by State Law 7-99.

 

Section 13.546.  Unauthorized destruction to marine environment.  Unauthorized destruction to marine environment is any act in violation of Section 19.409 or Section 19.410.

                     Unauthorized destruction to marine environment is a category three felony.

Background

Added by State Law 7-99.

 

Section 13.547.  Placement of fishing nets in navigational channels.  Placement of fishing nets in navigational channels is any act in violation of Section 19.412.

Placement of fishing nets in navigational channels is a category one misdemeanor.

Background

Added by State Law 7-99.

 

Section 13.548.  Unauthorized import or export of marine resources.  Unauthorized import or export of marine resources is any act in violation of Section 19.414, Section 19.415, or Section 19.416.

Unauthorized import or export of marine resources is a category one misdemeanor.

Background

Added by State Law 7-99.

 

Section 13.549.  Reckless operation of a motor driven vessel.  Reckless operation of a motor driven vessel is any act in violation of Section 19.418(1).

Reckless operation of a motor driven vessel is a category one misdemeanor.

Background

Added by State Law 7-99.

 

Section 13.550.  Negligent operation of a motor driven vessel.  Negligent operation of a motor driven vessel is any act in violation of Section 19.418(2).

Negligent operation of a motor driven vessel is a category three misdemeanor.

Background

Added by State Law 7-99.

 

Section 13.551.  Operating a motor driven vessel under the influence.  Operating a motor driven vessel under the influence is any act in violation of Section 19.419.

Operating a motor driven vessel under the influence is a category one misdemeanor.

Background

Added by State Law 7-99.

 

Section 13.552.  Tampering with marine devices.  Tampering with marine devices is any act in violation of Section 19.420 or Section 19.421.

Tampering with marine devices is a category one misdemeanor.

Background

Added by State Law 7-99.

 

Section 13.553.  Unauthorized fishing gear or equipment.  Unauthorized fishing gear or equipment is any act in violation of Section 19.422, Section 19.423, Section 19.424, Section 19.425, or Section 19.426.

Unauthorized fishing gear or equipment is a category three misdemeanor.”

Background

Added by State Law 7-99.

 

 

Chapter 6.  Offenses Against Government

 

Section 13.601. Interfering with service of process. Interfering with service of process is knowingly and wilfully obstructing, resisting, or opposing a person authorized by law to serve process in serving or executing, or attempting to serve or execute a process issued by a court or official authorized to issue the same. Interfering with service of process is a category three misdemeanor.

Section 13.602. Concealing, removing or altering record or process. Concealing, removing or altering record or process is wilfully concealing, removing, taking away, mutilating, obliterating, altering, or destroying record or process in or from a court or the Legislature or an official authorized to issue or serve the same. Concealing, removing or altering of record or process is a category three felony.

Section 13.603. Bribery. Bribery is voluntarily giving or receiving anything of value in wrongful and corrupt payment for a government act done or not done, to be done or not to be done. Bribery is a category one felony provided also that persons convicted under this section are fined at least three times the value of any payment received.

Section 13.604. Contempt of Court. Contempt of Court is intentionally obstructing Court proceedings or Court operations directly related to the administration of justice or intentionally disobeying or resisting a  writ, process, order, rule, decree or command of the Court. Contempt of Court is a category three misdemeanor.

Section 13.605. Counterfeiting. Counterfeiting is:

(1) With intent to defraud, falsely making, forging, photographing, counterfeiting or altering a currency of any country.

(2) With intent to defraud, passing, uttering, publishing, or selling, or attempting to pass, utter, publish, or sell, or with like intent bringing into the State or keeping in possession or concealing any falsely made, forged, photographed, counterfeited or altered currency of any country.

(3) Knowingly buying, selling, exchanging, transferring, receiving, or delivering any false, forged, photographed, counterfeited or altered currency of any country, with the intent that the same be passed, published, or used as true and genuine. Counterfeiting is a category one felony.

Section 13.606. Escape. Escape is being a law enforcement officer, or having lawful custody of a prisoner and wilfully or negligently allowing the prisoner to depart from such custody, except by due process of law, or being a prisoner and wilfully departing from such custody. Escape is a category two felony.

Section 13.607. Rescue. Rescue is knowingly, forcibly and wilfully rescuing a prisoner from the custody of any person lawfully having custody of the prisoner. Rescue is a category three felony.

Section 13.608. Forgery. Forgery is falsely making or materially altering a writing or document of apparent legal weight and authenticity, with intent to defraud. Forgery is a category one felony.

Section 13.609. Insulting a police officer.

(1) Insulting a police officer is maliciously, and with intent to ridicule or humiliate, directing to a police officer while on duty and in uniform the expression "lufun kiom". The offense includes using the expression or a substantial equivalent:

(a) in any language, or

(b) in an abbreviated form or altered form having substantially the same meaning as the expression.

Insulting a police officer is a category three misdemeanor.

Section 13.610. Misconduct in public office. Misconduct in public office is being a public official or public employee, and doing an illegal act under the color of office, or wilfully neglecting to perform the duties of the office as provided by law. Misconduct in public office is a category one misdemeanor.

Section 13.611. Obstructing justice. Obstructing justice is resisting or interfering with a police officer in the lawful pursuit of his duties, or tampering with, paying or intimidating witnesses or attempting to prevent their attendance at trials. This section does not prohibit paying witness fees required or permitted by law, including expert witness fees, or reimbursing witnesses for the actual cost of their attendance. Obstructing justice is a category one misdemeanor.

Section 13.612. Perjury. Perjury is taking an oath or any legal substitute that one will testify, declare, depose, or certify truly, or that any written testimony, deposition, or certificate subscribed by him is true, before a competent tribunal, officer, or person, in any case in which a law of the State authorizes an oath or any legal substitute to be administered, and wilfully and contrary to such oath or legal substitute, stating or subscribing to any material which he does not believe to be true. Perjury is a category one felony.

Section 13.613. Failing to respond to examination of hovering vessel. Failing to respond to examination of hovering vessel is being the master or a person having charge of the vessel and failing to comply with the Government's lawful directions or failing to answer truly questions posed by the Government regarding the vessel. Failing to respond to examination of hovering vessel is a category one misdemeanor.

Section 13.614. Failing to report wound, death or child abuse. Failing to report wound, or death or child abuse is failing to perform the following affirmative duty:

(1) One who gains knowledge of a death or injury resulting from a knife wound, bullet wound, or powder burn, or wound inflicted in a suspicious or unusual manner or under conditions suggesting poisoning or violence, or knowledge of child abuse, as defined in Section 16.1201, makes a full disclosure of his knowledge to the Police.

Failing to report a wound, death or child abuse is a category three misdemeanor.

Section 13.615. Possessing or removing Government property. Possessing or removing Government property is possessing without authorization or removing from its location without authorization any property of any kind, wherever situated, of the Government. Possessing or removing Government property is a category one misdemeanor.

Section 13.616. Theft of electricity. Theft of electricity is wilfully or knowingly and with intent to defraud, making a connection to electric lines without Government authorization or, knowingly and with like intent, injuring, altering, using an electric meter, or obstructing its working, or using an electric meter or appliance so tampered with or injured. Theft of electricity is a category one misdemeanor.

Section 13.617. Tax evasion. Tax evasion is knowingly or wilfully evading the payment of tax assessed pursuant to Part I of Title 9 or obstructing the assessment or collection of taxes by failing to perform any affirmative reporting requirement or other affirmative duty imposed by Part I of Title 9 or by misrepresenting or misreporting in the course of any such reporting. Tax evasion is a category one felony.

Section 13.618. Tampering with boundary markers. Tampering with boundary markers is wilfully and maliciously defacing or removing any marker, monument or reference point which marks if erected by (1) a licensed surveyor, (2) a private individual pursuant to Chapter 6 of Title 11, (3) agreement between adjacent landowners, except that this subsection applies only to persons who own no interest in any land to which such marker, monument, or reference point pertains, or (4) any agency of the Government. Tampering with boundary markers is a category three felony.

Section 13.619. Unauthorized practice. Unauthorized practice is holding oneself out to the public as a teacher, medical doctor, dentist, notary public, land surveyor psychiatrist, psychologist, engineer, trial counselor or attorney without having first obtained a license, or certificate required by State law to engage in the practice. Unauthorized practice is a category two misdemeanor.

Section 13.620. Failing to compel school attendance. Failing to compel school attendance is being a parent, guardian or other person having the responsibility for or care of a child between the ages of six and fourteen inclusive and permitting that child to be absent from school without good cause and in violation of applicable school regulations. Failing to compel school attendance is a category three misdemeanor.                                          

Section 13.621. Violating extradition procedures. Violating extradition procedures is having taken custody of an accused pursuant to a warrant of arrest in an extradition matter and delivering the accused to the agent of the requesting jurisdiction before full compliance with the judicial procedures of Chapter 12 of Title 1. Violating extradition procedures is a category two misdemeanor.

Section 13.622. Violating quarantine. Violating quarantine is bringing or sending into the State an animal or plant and failing to disclose and make them available for inspection by authorized agents of the State. Violating quarantine is a category two misdemeanor.

Section 13.623. Violating public health standards. Violating public health standards is failing to comply with regulations promulgated by the Director of Health Services pursuant to Chapter 12 of Title 12 or importing into the State birds of the psittacine family, parrots, parakeets or love birds. Violating public health standards is a category two misdemeanor.

Section 13.624. Contempt of Legislature. Contempt of Legislature is wilfully failing to obey any lawful order issued by the Speaker, or chairmen of standing committees which is made to enforce the Legislature rules of procedure. Contempt of legislature is a category three misdemeanor.

Section 13.625. Misusing Government seal. Misusing Government seal is using or displaying the official seal of the Legislature or any official seal of the Executive or Judiciary without authorization from the Speaker in the case of the Legislature seal, the Governor in the case of the Executive seal or the Chief Justice in the case of the Judicial seal. Misusing Government seal Is a category three misdemeanor.

Section 13.626. Unauthorized election activity. Unauthorized election activity is any of the following acts:

(1) voting or attempting to vote more than once;

(2) disrupting or interfering with orderly process of an election;

(3) using force or emotional distress to restrain or intimidate any person's free exercise of the right to vote;

(4) being an official or employee of the Government and utilizing any materials, equipment or facilities of the Government to promote in any way a candidate for public office, except as authorized by Section 3.1102;

(5) being a candidate or acting on behalf of a candidate and exchanging or giving away money, food or other goods with the intent to influence the voting of any person;

(6) being a voter and accepting money, food or other goods with the intent to deliver one's vote to the candidate sponsoring the gift;

(7) exhibiting campaign materials or campaigning in any way within one hundred feet of any polling place on the day of any election;

(8) willfully and knowingly printing, copying, imitating or distributing, a document that is so substantially similar in style or content to the official ballot that confusion is likely to result; or

(9)  distribution of food on the road side by or on behalf of a candidate to voters on election day.

Unauthorized election activity is a category one misdemeanor.

Background

S.L. 7-88 amended former subsection (5), splitting it into subsections (5) and (6) and added subsection (9).

Section 13.627. Fiscal malfeasance. Fiscal malfeasance is being a Government official, officer or employee and:

(1) making or receiving an allotment, or making or authorizing an expenditure or creating or authorizing an obligation pursuant to any appropriation, apportionment, reapportionment, or allotment of Government funds:

(a) in excess of the sum available by law;

(b) in advance of the availability of funds;

(c) for purposes other than those for which an appropriation or allotment has been made;

(d) in excess of reprogramming authority granted by law; or

(2) Being the Director of the Department of Administration and Finance and knowing of a violation of this section and failing to immediately report to the Governor, to the Speaker, and to the Attorney General, all pertinent facts together with a statement of the action taken or proposed to be taken by the Director, except that the Director shall be under no such reporting obligation with respect to the use or proposed use of funds withdrawn from the Legislative Operations Fund by the allottee or other authorized person. Fiscal malfeasance is a category one felony.

Background

Amended by State Law 5-41 and further amended by State Law 7-1.

Section 13.628. Unlawful Importation of Empty Aluminum Beverage Container. Unlawful importation of empty aluminum beverage container is the importation of an empty beverage container upon which no Kosrae State recycling deposit is paid, for the purpose of obtaining money from the Recycling Fund created in Title 10, Section 10.205. Unlawful importation of empty aluminum beverage container is a category one misdemeanor.

Background

Added by State Law 5-15.

Section 13.629.  Failure to cooperate with the State Public Auditor.  Failure to cooperate with the State Public Auditor is failure to comply with the lawful request of the State Public Auditor to provide information requested in connection with his statutory functions by failure to appear in response to a lawfully issued subpoena, and by failure to produce any documents, books, and other papers requested by the State Public Auditor in a lawfully issued subpoena duces tecum.  Failure to cooperate with the State Public Auditor is a category three misdemeanor.

Background

Added by State Law 7-50.

 

Section 13.629.  Interfering with authorized officers or observers.  Interfering with authorized officers or observers is any act in violation of Section 19.427.

Interfering with authorized officers or observers is a category one misdemeanor.

Background

Added by State Law 7-99.

 

Section 13.630.  Failing to provide information and documentation.  Failing to provide information and documentation is any act in violation of Section 19.428.

Failing to provide information and documentation is a category one misdemeanor.

Background

Added by State Law 7-99.

 

Section 13.631.  Destruction of evidence.  Destruction of evidence is any act in violation of Section 19.429.

Destruction of evidence is a category one misdemeanor.

Background

Added by State Law 7-99.

 

 

Chapter 7. Motor Vehicle Offenses

 

Section 13.701. Operating an unregistered motor vehicle. Operating an unregistered motor vehicle is operating a motor vehicle on a road without possessing a valid registration card issued pursuant to chapter 2 of title 17. Operating an unregistered motor vehicle is a category 4 misdemeanor.

 Background

Amended by State Law 4-48 .

Section 13.702. Unauthorized operation of a motor vehicle. Unauthorized operation of a motor vehicle is operating a motor vehicle on a road without possessing a valid license or learner's permit or operating a motor vehicle on a road in violation of Sections 17.203, 17.205 or 17.206. Unauthorized operation of a motor vehicle  is a category 4 misdemeanor.

 Background

Amended by State Law 4-68 .

Section 13.703. Violating rules of the road. Violating rules of the road is being the driver of a vehicle and committing any of the following acts:

(1) failing to obey a sign or marker erected pursuant to Section 17.103;

(2) failing to drive on the right side of the road except when passing another vehicle lawfully or when the right side of the road is (impassable);

(3) passing another vehicle traveling in the same direction on the right of the vehicle or on the left of the vehicle when the left side of the road is not clearly visible and free of oncoming traffic for a distance of three hundred feet;

(4) following another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent considering the speed that the vehicle is traveling and the condition of the road;

(5) entering an intersection and failing to yield the right-of-way to a vehicle that has entered the intersection first;

(6) entering an intersection at the same time as another vehicle and failing to yield the right-of-way to the vehicle entering the intersection to the right;

(7) turning left from within an intersection and failing to yield to a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close as to create an immediate hazard;

(8) entering a road from a driveway or private road and failing to yield the right-of-way to all motor vehicles approaching on the road;

(9) driving on a road and failing to yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles;

(10) driving on a road and failing to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the road;

(11) stopping on a road or turning while on a road and failing to signal the stop or turn by the hand and arm in a manner required by regulations issued pursuant to Section 5.202(1)(e) or by signal lamp or lamps or mechanical signal;

(12) driving at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent considering the traffic, surface and width of the road, weather, hazards, pedestrians and any other condition existing;

(13) driving at a speed greater than fifteen miles per hour when passing a school or its grounds during the months school is in session;

(14) driving at a speed greater than twenty miles per hour in any area used primarily for either businesses or residences;

(15) driving at a speed greater than twenty-five miles per hour in any other area;

(16) parking a vehicle, whether attended or unattended, and failing to park as far to the right of the road as is practicable;

(17) stopping or parking a vehicle, whether attended or unattended, in any of the following places:

(a) within fifteen feet of an intersection;

(b) on a crosswalk;

(c) within thirty feet of an official stop sign;

(d) within fifteen feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station;

(e) within fifteen feet of a fire hydrant or an area so designated;

(f) in front of a private driveway;

(g) on a sidewalk;

(h) alongside or opposite any street or road excavation or obstruction when such stopping, standing or parking would obstruct traffic;

(i) on the road side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge of a highway; or

(j) on the traffic base of any road.

(18) having control or charge of a vehicle and allowing the vehicle to stand on a road unattended without first effectively setting the brakes, stopping the motor and placing it in gear;

(19) driving a vehicle when the vehicle is so loaded as to obstruct the view of the driver to the front or sides or to interfere with the driver's control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle. This section is violated when more than two persons (including the driver) are seated in the front seat of any jeep or when more than three persons (including the driver) are seated in the front seat of any other type of vehicle, except that one child under seven years of age may be seated in addition to the above;

(20) driving a two-wheeled or three-wheeled motor vehicle and failing to wear a safety helmet of a nature and in a manner required by regulations issued pursuant to Section 5.202(1)(e), or carrying any passenger who fails to wear such a helmet;

(21) driving a two-wheeled or three-wheeled motor vehicle or [and] carrying more than one passenger, except that a person under the age of five years may sit on the passenger's lap;

(22) passing a school bus which is discharging or receiving passengers; [or]

(23) being the driver of a school bus and failing to activate the bus' front and rear warning lights before discharging or receiving passengers, or if the either set of lights is inoperative or if the bus in not equipped with warning lights, failing to by manual signal halt both lanes of traffic. A school bus driver does not allow a passenger to leave the bus or approach a bus for admission until both lanes of traffic have halted; or

(24)  being the driver of a pickup, flatbed, or other open-bed truck while a passenger of that truck rides on top of the pickup bed wall, on top of the tailgate, on the front or rear bumper, on the hood, or on the roof of the cab.

Violating rules of the road is a category 4 misdemeanor.

Background

Amended by State Law 7-17.

Section 13.704. Failing to respond to an accident. Failing to respond to an accident is being the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury or death to a person or damage to property and failing to immediately stop the vehicle and give one's name, address and the registration number of his vehicle and exhibit his operator's license to the person struck or the driver or occupants of the vehicle collided with and failing to render reasonable assistance to any person injured in such accident. Failing to respond to an accident is a category 4 misdemeanor.

Section 13.705. Failing to report an accident. Failing to report an accident is being the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury or death to any person or property damage to an apparent extent of fifty dollars or more, and failing to make a report to the Police within twenty-four hours or as soon thereafter as normal means of transportation and communication will permit. Failing to report an accident is a category 4 misdemeanor.

Section 13.706. Failing to make a garage report. Failing to make a garage report is being the owner or operator of a garage or repair shop and failing to report to the Police within twenty-four hours the model number, registration number and name and address of the owner or operator of any vehicle showing evidence of having been involved in an accident to an apparent extent of fifty dollars or more or having been struck by a bullet. Failing to make a garage report is a category 4 misdemeanor.

Section 13.707. Operating improperly equipped vehicle. Operating an improperly equipped vehicle is operating a vehicle which does not conform to the standards set by Chapter 4 of Title 17. Operating an improperly equipped vehicle is a category 4 misdemeanor.

Section 13.708. Negligent driving. Negligent driving is driving a vehicle in such a manner as to constitute a substantial deviation from the standard of care a reasonable person would exercise in the situation. Negligent driving is a category 3 misdemeanor.

Section 13.709. Reckless driving. Reckless driving is driving a vehicle recklessly or with gross, wilful or wanton disregard for the lives or safety of the public. Reckless driving is a category 1 misdemeanor.

Background

Amended by State Law 3-73.

Section 13.710. Driving under the influence. Driving under the influence is driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcoholic drink or a controlled substance or any other intoxicating substance. Driving under the influence is a category 1 misdemeanor.

Background

Amended by State Laws 3-74 and 5-111.

Section 13.711. Failing to fulfill commercial vehicle importer duties. Failing to fulfill commercial vehicle importer duties is being a commercial vehicle importer, which is importing and selling more than one vehicle a year, and either (1) failing to maintain a parts manual and a service manual for each vehicle model imported or (2) failing to supply or order within 48 hours a part requested for a vehicle imported or sold by the commercial vehicle importer. Commercial vehicle importer duties continue for a period of three years from the time a vehicle is sold. Failing to fulfill commercial vehicle importer duties is a category four misdemeanor.

Background

Added by State Law 5-45.

 

Part II. Penalties

 

Chapter 11. Provisions of General Applicability

 

Section 13.1101. Penalty. The commission of an offense prohibited in Part I subjects the offender upon conviction to the penalty stated in this part except that commission of an offense prohibited in Chapter 2 subjects the offender upon conviction to a penalty of one-half of the penalty as follows:

(1) accessory, in relation to the punishment of the principal;

(2) attempt, in relation to the attempted offenses, except that attempted murder is a category one felony; and

(3) conspiracy, in relation to the most serious offense which was the object of the conspiracy.

 

Chapter 12.  Felonies

 

Section 13.1201. Category one felony. Imprisonment not exceeding or equaling ten years, a fine not exceeding  twenty thousand dollars, or both.

Background

Amended by State Law 4-69.

Section 13.1202. Category two felony. Imprisonment not exceeding five years, a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars, or both.

Background

Amended by State Law 4-69.

Section 13.1203. Category three felony. Imprisonment not exceeding three years, a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars, or both.

Background

Amended by State Law 4-69.

 

Chapter 13. Misdemeanors

 

Section 13.1301. Category one misdemeanor. Imprisonment not exceeding twelve months, a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, or both.

Section 13.1302. Category two misdemeanor. Imprisonment not exceeding eight months, a fine not exceeding seven hundred and fifty dollars, or both.

Section 13.1303. Category three misdemeanor. Imprisonment not exceeding six months, a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, or both.

Section 13.1304. Category four misdemeanor. Imprisonment not exceeding thirty days, a fine not exceeding two hundred dollars, or both.

 

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