2023 Maryland Statutes
Criminal Law
Title 6 - Crimes Against Property
Subtitle 3 - Malicious Destruction and Related Crimes
Section 6-303 - Public Utility Interference -- Electrical Equipment

Universal Citation:
MD. Criminal Law Code § 6-303 (2023)
Learn more This media-neutral citation is based on the American Association of Law Libraries Universal Citation Guide and is not necessarily the official citation.

    (a)    In this section, “electric company” has the meaning stated in § 1–101 of the Public Utilities Article.

    (b)    This section does not apply to:

        (1)    an employee of or a person authorized by an electric company; and

        (2)    supervision and control of an electric company and its material, equipment, or facilities by the political subdivision within which the electric company is doing business.

    (c)    A person may not willfully:

        (1)    tamper or interfere with the material, equipment, or facilities of an electric company;

        (2)    make a connection with an electrical conductor to use the electricity; or

        (3)    tamper with a meter used to register electricity consumed.

    (d)    Prima facie evidence of intent to violate this section by a person who uses or directly benefits from the use or diversion of electricity includes:

        (1)    a connection, wire, conductor, meter alteration, or other device that diverts electricity without the electric current being registered by the meter installed by the electric company that supplies the electricity;

        (2)    the use of electricity supplied by an electric company without the electricity being registered on a meter that the electric company supplied; and

        (3)    a showing by a check or test meter used by the electric company that a customer uses more electricity than is registered on the meter that the electric company supplied for the customer’s premises.

    (e)    A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.

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