(A) It is unlawful for a person to steal, take away, or let loose any boat, piragua, or canoe; or steal or take away any grappling, painter, rope, sail, or oar from any landing or place where the owner or person in whose service or employ the thing stolen, taken away, or let loose was last attached or laid, except boats or canoes let loose from another boat, canoe, or vessel.

(B) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a:

(1) felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than ten years if the value of the property is ten thousand dollars or more;

(2) felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than five years if the value of the property is more than two thousand dollars but less than ten thousand dollars;

(3) misdemeanor triable in magistrates court or municipal court, notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 22-3-540, 22-3-545, 22-3-550, and 14-25-65, if the value of the property is two thousand dollars or less. Upon conviction, the person must be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days.

(C) In addition to the punishment specified in this section, the person must make good to the person injured all damages sustained and, if the matter be a trespass only, the person committing the offense shall make good to the person injured all damages that accrued.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-356; 1952 Code Section 16-356; 1942 Code Section 1143; 1932 Code Section 1143; Cr. C. '22 Section 37; Cr. C. '12 Section 182; Cr. C. '02 Section 148; G. S. 2488; R. S. 145; 1695 (2) 105; 1897 (22) 422; 1963 (53) 551; 1993 Act No. 184, Section 110; 2010 Act No. 273, Section 16.I, eff June 2, 2010.