18-6810. INTENTIONAL DESTRUCTION OF A TELECOMMUNICATION LINE OR TELECOMMUNICATION INSTRUMENT. (1) Any person who intentionally takes down, removes, injures or obstructs in any manner any telecommunication line or, any part thereof, or appurtenances or apparatus connected therewith, or severs any wire thereof or who intentionally takes, withholds, takes down, removes, injures or obstructs any telephone instrument or other instrument that is used or could be used to facilitate the transmission of messages, signals, facsimiles, video images or other communication by means of telephone, telegraph, cable, wire or the projection of energy or waves without physical connection (such as wireless or cellular), with the intent to prohibit, disrupt, inhibit, delay, disconnect or otherwise interfere with a person’s ability to make contact with or otherwise communicate with an emergency service provider is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment in the county jail for up to one (1) year, or both.

(2) For purposes of this statute, a "telecommunication line" shall be defined as any line used or that could be used for the transmission of any type of message or information, regardless of form or content.

(3) For purposes of this statute, an "emergency service provider" includes law enforcement, emergency medical service providers (including, but not limited to, ambulance, EMS, or paramedic service providers), fire suppression service providers, dispatch centers, dispatch personnel, and any person, entity, or security business (including private business) that has the authority to dispatch such service providers or that otherwise makes available the service of requesting a response, or providing notification of the need for a response, by any of the foregoing emergency service providers. The term "emergency service provider" shall also include any personnel, service or entity that can be contacted, either directly or indirectly, by dialing "911."

History:

[18-6810, added 2002, ch. 227, sec. 1, p. 654; am. 2003, ch. 247, sec. 1, p. 638.]