Section 750.491 - Public records; removal, mutilation or destruction; penalty.
THE MICHIGAN PENAL CODE (EXCERPT)
Act 328 of 1931
750.491 Public records; removal, mutilation or destruction; penalty.
Sec. 491.
All official books, papers or records created by or received in any office or agency of the state of Michigan or its political subdivisions, are declared to be public property, belonging to the people of the state of Michigan. All books, papers or records shall be disposed of only as provided in section 13c of Act No. 51 of the Public Acts of the First Extra Session of 1948, as added, being section 18.13c of the Compiled Laws of 1948, section 5 of Act No. 271 of the Public Acts of 1913, as amended, being section 399.5 of the Compiled Laws of 1948 and sections 2137 and 2138 of Act No. 236 of the Public Acts of 1961, being sections 600.2137 and 600.2138 of the Compiled Laws of 1948.
Any person who shall wilfully carry away, mutilate or destroy any of such books, papers, records or any part of the same, and any person who shall retain and continue to hold the possession of any books, papers or records, or parts thereof, belonging to the aforesaid offices and shall refuse to deliver up such books, papers, records, or parts thereof to the proper officer having charge of the office to which such books, papers, or records belong, upon demand being made by such officer or, in cases of a defunct office, the Michigan historical commission, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison not more than 2 years or by a fine of not more than $1,000.00.
History: 1931, Act 328, Eff. Sept. 18, 1931 ;-- CL 1948, 750.491 ;-- Am. 1952, Act 119, Eff. Sept. 18, 1952 ;-- Am. 1964, Act 147, Eff. Aug. 28, 1964
Compiler's Notes: For transfer of powers and duties of department of history, arts, and libraries regarding state archives program to department of natural resources, see E.R.O. No. 2009-26, compiled at MCL 399.752.
Former Law: See section 1 of Act 6 of 1851, being CL 1857, § 5906; CL 1871, § 7751; How., § 9347; CL 1897, § 11361; CL 1915, § 15079; CL 1929, § 17018; and Act 208 of 1875.