Michigan Laws 285.279 – Prohibited conduct; violation; penalties; determination of total value; prior convictions; “proceeds” defined; prohibition
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(1) A person shall not, with the intent to defraud or cheat and designedly by false pretenses, including false statement or representation, obtain money, agricultural land, agricultural improvements, depreciable agricultural property, other real or personal property, or the use of an instrument, facility, article, or other valuable thing or service provided under this act, including participation in a program established under this act.
(2) A person who violates this section is guilty of a crime as follows:
For details, see Mich. Comp. Laws ch. 777 pt. 2
Attorney's Note
Under the Michigan Laws, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| D | up to 10 years |
Terms Used In Michigan Laws 285.279
- Agricultural improvements: means any improvements, buildings, structures, or fixtures suitable for use in farming which are located on agricultural land. See Michigan Laws 285.252
- Agricultural land: means land suitable for use in farming. See Michigan Laws 285.252
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Depreciable agricultural property: means personal property suitable for use in farming for which an income tax deduction for depreciation is allowable in computing federal income tax under the internal revenue code. See Michigan Laws 285.252
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, as well as to individuals. See Michigan Laws 8.3l
- Personal property: All property that is not real property.
- Presentence report: A report prepared by a court's probation officer, after a person has been convicted of an offense, summarizing for the court the background information needed to determine the appropriate sentence. Source: U.S. Courts
- Transcript: A written, word-for-word record of what was said, either in a proceeding such as a trial or during some other conversation, as in a transcript of a hearing or oral deposition.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(a) If the value of the proceeds is less than $200.00, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not more than $500.00 or 3 times the value of the proceeds, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine.
(b) If any of the following apply, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $2,000.00 or 3 times the value of the proceeds, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine:
(i) The value of the proceeds is $200.00 or more but less than $1,000.00.
(ii) The person violates subdivision (a) and has 1 or more prior convictions for committing or attempting to commit an offense under this section.
(c) If any of the following apply, the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not more than $10,000.00 or 3 times the value of the proceeds, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine:
(i) The value of the proceeds is $1,000.00 or more but less than $20,000.00.
(ii) The person violates subdivision (b)(i) and has 1 or more prior convictions for violating or attempting to violate this section. For purposes of this subparagraph, however, a prior conviction does not include a conviction for violating or attempting to violate subdivision (a) or (b)(ii).
(d) If any of the following apply, the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 10 years or a fine of not more than $15,000.00 or 3 times the value of the proceeds, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine:
(i) The value of the proceeds is $20,000.00 or more.
(ii) The person violates subdivision (c)(i) and has 2 or more prior convictions for committing or attempting to commit an offense under this section. For purposes of this subparagraph, however, a prior conviction does not include a conviction for violating or attempting to violate subdivision (a) or (b)(ii).
(3) The values of proceeds obtained in separate incidents pursuant to a scheme or course of conduct within any 12-month period may be aggregated to determine the total value of proceeds obtained.
(4) If the prosecuting attorney intends to seek an enhanced sentence based upon the defendant having 1 or more prior convictions, the prosecuting attorney shall include on the complaint and information a statement listing the prior conviction or convictions. The existence of the defendant’s prior conviction or convictions shall be determined by the court, without a jury, at sentencing or at a separate hearing for that purpose before sentencing. The existence of a prior conviction may be established by any evidence relevant for that purpose, including, but not limited to, 1 or more of the following:
(a) A copy of the judgment of conviction.
(b) A transcript of a prior trial, plea-taking, or sentencing.
(c) Information contained in a presentence report.
(d) The defendant’s statement.
(5) As used in this section, “proceeds” means money, agricultural land, agricultural improvements, depreciable agricultural property, other real or personal property, or the use of an instrument, facility, article, or other valuable thing or service obtained in violation of subsection (1).
(6) If the sentence for a conviction under this section is enhanced by 1 or more convictions, those prior convictions shall not be used to further enhance the sentence for the conviction pursuant to section 10, 11, or 12 of chapter IX of the code of criminal procedure, 1927 PA 175, MCL 769.10, 769.11, and 769.12.