§ 21-1871. Use with intent to avoid payment of service charges.  


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  • A.  Any person who uses a telecommunication device with the intent to avoid the payment of any lawful charge for telecommunication service or with the knowledge that it was to avoid the payment of any lawful charge for telecommunication service and the value of the telecommunication service is not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or such value cannot be ascertained shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor.

    B.  Any person who uses a telecommunication device with the intent to avoid the payment of any lawful charge for telecommunication service or with the knowledge that it was to avoid the payment of any lawful charge for telecommunication service and the value of the telecommunication service exceeds One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a Schedule G felony, if the offense occurs on or after the effective date of Section 20.1 of this title.  If the offense occurs before the effective date of Section 20.1 of this title, the crime shall be punishable by incarceration in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term not to exceed two (2) years.

    C.  If the cloned cellular telephone used in violation of this section was used to facilitate the commission of a felony the person, upon conviction, shall be guilty of a Schedule F felony, if the offense occurs on or after the effective date of Section 20.1 of this title.  If the offense occurs before the effective date of Section 20.1 of this title, the crime shall be punishable by incarceration in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term not to exceed two (2) years.

    D.  Any person who has been convicted previously of an offense under this section shall be guilty of a Schedule E felony upon a second and any subsequent conviction, if the offense occurs on or after the effective date of Section 20.1 of this title.  If the offense occurs before the effective date of Section 20.1 of this title the crime shall be punishable by incarceration in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term not to exceed five (5) years.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 97, § 2, eff. July 1, 1998.  Amended by Laws 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 9, emerg. eff. June 19, 1998.