New law threatens porch pirates with up to 5 years in prison in Michigan

Porch pirates -- especially repeat offenders -- should beware.

A Michigan law went into effect on Monday that can charge these thieves with a felony, KATU reported.

“Senate Bill 23 mirrors the federal penalties of mail theft, making mail theft a state penalty and allowing the state to prosecute for these crimes,” mlive.com reported. “Senate Bill 24 amends the sentencing guidelines, specifying the types of violations within the Code of Criminal Procedure.”

First-time offenders would be subject to a misdemeanor punishable by one year in jail, a $500 fine, or both, Mlive said.

The law seeks to deter thieves from stealing, whether the theft is identities or packages.

“Subsequent offenses or cases where fraud is involved would carry harsher penalties and be classified as a felony, with the second offense punishable up to five years in jail, up to a $1,000 fine or both, and a third offense carrying up to 10 years, up to a $2,000 fine or both,” Mlive reported.

The state of Texas recently passed porch pirate legislation with the laws ascending in penalties.

“Anyone who steals a package from a porch will face felony charges,” the Star-Telegram reported. “The penalties and charges grow as the number of thefts increase. If someone steals from more than 50 people, he faces a first-degree felony. Steal from 20 to 50 people and it’s a second-degree felony. And anyone who steals from less than 10 people faces a state felony. Fines can range from $4,000 to $10,000.”

California, New Jersey and South Carolina also are addressing porch piracy, 24/7 Wall Street reports.