NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1977 SESSION

 

 

CHAPTER 723

HOUSE BILL 1406

 

 

AN ACT TO EXTEND THE LAWS RELATING TO BREAKING INTO OR DAMAGING COIN-OPERATED VENDING AND OTHER MACHINES TO APPLY TO CURRENCY‑OPERATED MACHINES.

 

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

 

Section 1.  G.S. 14-56.1 is rewritten to read as follows:

"§14-56.1.  Breaking into or forcibly opening coin- or currency- operated machines. — Any person who forcibly breaks into, or by the unauthorized use of a key or other instrument opens, any coin- or currency-operated machine with intent to steal any property or moneys therein shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by fine or imprisonment or both in the discretion of the court, but if such person has previously been convicted of violating this section, such person shall be guilty of a felony. The term 'coin- or currency-operated machine' shall mean any coin- or currency-operated vending machine, pay telephone, telephone coin or currency receptacle, or other coin- or currency-activated machine or device."

Sec. 2.  G.S. 14-56.2 is rewritten to read as follows:

"§ 14-56.2.  Damaging or destroying coin- or currency-operated machine. — Any person who shall wilfully and maliciously damage or destroy any coin- or currency-operated machine shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by fine or imprisonment or both in the discretion of the court. The term 'coin- or currency-operated machine' shall be defined as set out in G.S. 14-56.1."

Sec. 3.  There shall be posted on the machines referred to in G.S. 14-56.1 a decal stating that it is a crime to break into vending machines, and that a second offense is a felony.

Sec. 4.  This act shall become effective October 1, 1977.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 24th day of June, 1977.