Violation of MCL 752.795a; penalties; exception; defense; burden of proof; effective date of section

(1) A person who violates section 5a is guilty of the following: (a) For the first violation, a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $10,000.00, or both. (b) For the second violation, a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 2 years or a fine of not more than $20,000.00, or both. (c) For the third and any subsequent violation, a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 3 years or a fine of not more than $30,000.00, or both. (2) A person does not violate section 5a because the person is an intermediary between the sender and recipient in the transmission of an electronic message that violates section 5a or unknowingly provides transmission of electronic messages over the person's computer network or facilities that violate section 5a. (3) It is a defense to an action brought under this section that the communication was transmitted accidentally. The burden of proving that the communication was transmitted accidentally is on the sender. (4) This section does not take effect until July 1, 2005.