US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

                                  TITLE  18
                            CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS
                                  CHAPTER 68
                             TELEGRAPH, TELEPHONE
                              AND ELECTRIC LINES
    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."