Montana § 82-1-602 - Criminal Penalties

Full text of Montana Montana Code Annotated § 82-1-602 — Criminal Penalties, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 82-1-602. Criminal Penalties

Criminal penalties. (1) Except as provided in 82-1-604 , a person who purposely or knowingly trespasses on property containing a critical infrastructure facility: (a) that is completely enclosed by a fence or other physical barrier that is obviously designed to exclude intruders with intent to purposely or knowingly damage, destroy, vandalize, deface, tamper with equipment, or materially impede or inhibit operations of the facility shall, on conviction, be guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of not more than $4,500 or by imprisonment for not more than 18 months or both; and (b) that is clearly marked with a sign or signs that are posted on the property that indicate that entry is forbidden without site authorization with intent to purposely or knowingly damage, destroy, vandalize, deface, tamper with equipment, or materially impede or inhibit operations of the facility shall, on conviction, be guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of not more than $4,500 or by imprisonment for not more than 18 months or both. (2) A person who purposely or knowingly damages, destroys, vandalizes, defaces, or tampers with the equipment of a critical infrastructure facility: (a) causing less than $1,500 in damages shall, on conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor and may be incarcerated for any term not to exceed 6 months or be fined an amount not to exceed $500, or both, and must be ordered to make restitution in an amount and manner to be set by the court; and (b) causing damages greater than $1,500 shall, on conviction, be guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of not more than $150,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 30 years, or both. (3) An organization found to be in a conspiracy, as the term is used in 45-4-102 , with persons who are found to have committed any of the crimes provided in subsection (1) or (2) may be punished by a fine up to 10 times the amount of the fine provided for the appropriate crime.

Source: official Montana text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Montana § 82-1-602

What does Montana Code Annotated § 82-1-602 cover?

Section 82-1-602 ("Criminal Penalties") is part of the Montana Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Montana. 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 Montana § 82-1-602?

A common citation format is "Montana Code Annotated § 82-1-602" (Montana). 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 Montana law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Montana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Montana attorney.

How does Montana § 82-1-602 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Montana 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 Montana.