Guam § 43 - Crime Against the Community; Defined and
Full text of Guam Guam Code Annotated § 43 — Crime Against the Community; Defined and, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 43. Crime Against the Community; Defined and
Punishment.
COL9/7/2021
(a) A person is guilty of a Crime Against the Community if
that person knowingly takes, obtains or exercises unlawful control
over government-owned, leased or borrowed property, or
interferes with, obstructs, or takes action regarding government
services in such a way that: (1) doing so creates a threat to the
public health and safety; or (2) doing so results in a deprivation of
public services, such as utility services, the education of public or
private school students, or any government service intended to
benefit the public; or (3) does so for a purpose other than the
original purpose for which the property or services were to be
provided.
(b) A person is guilty of a Crime Against the Community if
that person knowingly destroys, defaces, alters, tampers with or
damages government-owned, leased or borrowed property.
(c) A Crime Against the Community shall be alleged, in an
information, complaint or indictment, as a Special Allegation
which enhances punishment when the defendant is convicted of
another offense. A Crime Against the Community shall be tried
to a jury if the underlying crime is tried to a jury.
(d) A person convicted of a Crime Against the Community
shall be sentenced to:
(1) Insofar as is practicable, make restitution to the
victim of the crime, including the government of Guam or the
Federal government;
(2) Insofar as is practicable, perform community service
intended to raise community awareness that a crime against
the public interest has been committed and is being punished,
including, but not limited to, repair, painting and cleaning of
items which are stolen, damaged or defaced; or
(3) Serve one (1) year of incarceration and pay an
additional fine of up to Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) in
addition to the sentence imposed for the underlying crime, if
the underlying crime is a misdemeanor or felony. The court
may suspend said term of incarceration and impose a term of
probation instead.
Frequently Asked Questions About Guam § 43
What does Guam Code Annotated § 43 cover?
Section 43 ("Crime Against the Community; Defined and") is part of the Guam Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Guam. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Guam § 43?
A common citation format is "Guam Code Annotated § 43" (Guam). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Guam law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Guam official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Guam attorney.
How does Guam § 43 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Guam can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Guam.