THE MICHIGAN PENAL CODE (EXCERPT) Act 328 of 1931
750.217b Representation as public utility employee; felony; "public utility" defined. Sec. 217b.
(1) An individual who is not employed by a public utility shall not inform another individual or represent to another individual by uniform, identification, or any other means that he or she is employed by that public utility with intent to do 1 or more of the following: (a) Gain or attempt to gain entry to a residence, building, structure, facility, or other property. (b) Remain or attempt to remain in or upon a residence, building, structure, facility, or other property. (c) Commit or attempt to commit a crime. (2) An individual who violates subsection (1) is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 2 years or a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both. (3) As used in this section, "public utility" means a utility that provides steam, gas, heat, electricity, water, cable television, telecommunications services, or pipeline services, whether privately, municipally, or cooperatively owned.
History: Add. 1997, Act 159, Eff. Jan. 1, 1998
Understanding Michigan Penal Code 750.217b: Representation as Public Utility Employee
Michigan Penal Code 750.217b addresses the offense of representing oneself as a public utility employee. The key points of this statute are summarized below:
Representation as Public Utility Employee
- It is a felony offense for an individual who is not employed by a public utility to inform or represent to another individual, through a uniform, identification, or any other means, that they are employed by that public utility.
- The representation or information is done with the intent to:
- Gain or attempt to gain entry to a residence, building, structure, facility, or other property.
- Remain or attempt to remain in or upon a residence, building, structure, facility, or other property.
- Commit or attempt to commit a crime.
Penalties
- The offense is classified as a felony.
- The maximum penalties for violating this statute include imprisonment for up to 2 years and/or a fine of up to $1,000.00.
Definition of "Public Utility"
- As used in this section, "public utility" refers to a utility that provides services such as steam, gas, heat, electricity, water, cable television, telecommunications services, or pipeline services.
- Public utilities can be privately, municipally, or cooperatively owned.
Please note that this is a simplified explanation of Michigan Penal Code 750.217b. For a comprehensive understanding of the law and its implications, it is recommended to consult the full text of the statute and seek legal advice if necessary.