Attorney's Note

Under the Michigan Laws, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Fup to 4 years
For details, see Mich. Comp. Laws ch. 777 pt. 2

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Terms Used In Michigan Laws 750.465a

  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • felony: when used in this act, shall be construed to mean an offense for which the offender, on conviction may be punished by death, or by imprisonment in state prison. See Michigan Laws 750.7
  • person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, as well as to individuals. See Michigan Laws 8.3l
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, shall be construed to extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories belonging to the United States; and the words "United States" shall be construed to include the district and territories. See Michigan Laws 8.3o
  • United States: shall be construed to include the district and territories. See Michigan Laws 8.3o
  (1) A person who knowingly operates an audiovisual recording function of a device in a theatrical facility where a motion picture is being exhibited without the consent of the owner or lessee of that theatrical facility and of the licensor of the motion picture being exhibited is guilty of a crime as follows:
  (a) Except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), the person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $10,000.00, or both.
  (b) If the person has 1 prior conviction for violating this subsection, the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 2 years or a fine of not more than $20,000.00, or both.
  (c) If the person has 2 or more prior convictions for violating this subsection, the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 4 years or a fine of not more than $40,000.00, or both.
  (2) This section does not prevent any lawfully authorized investigative, law enforcement, protective, or intelligence-gathering employee or agent, of this state or the United States, from operating the audiovisual recording function of a device in a theatrical facility where a motion picture is being exhibited as part of an investigative, protective, law enforcement, or intelligence-gathering activity.
  (3) This section does not prohibit a person from being charged with, convicted of, or punished for any other violation of law that proscribes conduct described in this section and that provides a greater penalty.
  (4) As used in this section:
  (a) “Audiovisual recording function” means the capability of a device to record or transmit a motion picture or any part of a motion picture by technological means.
  (b) “Theatrical facility” means a facility being used to exhibit a motion picture to the public, but does not include an individual’s residence or a retail establishment.