§ 609.795 — Letter, Telegram, or Package; Opening; Harassment
Plain-Language Summary
It is a crime to open another person's letter, telegram, or package without permission, or to use the mail or phone to harass someone through repeated unwanted contacts.
609.795 LETTER, TELEGRAM, OR PACKAGE; OPENING; HARASSMENT.
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Subdivision 1.Misdemeanors.
Whoever does any of the following is guilty of a misdemeanor:
(1) knowing that the actor does not have the consent of either the sender or the addressee, intentionally opens any sealed letter, telegram, or package addressed to another; or
(2) knowing that a sealed letter, telegram, or package has been opened without the consent of either the sender or addressee, intentionally publishes any of the contents thereof; or
(3) with the intent to harass or intimidate another person, repeatedly mails or delivers or causes the delivery by any means, including electronically, of letters, telegrams, or packages and thereby places the other person in reasonable fear of substantial bodily harm; places the person in reasonable fear that the person’s family or household members will be subject to substantial bodily harm; or causes or would reasonably be expected to cause substantial emotional distress as defined in section 609.749, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (4), to the other person. §
Subd. 2.
[Repealed, 1993 c 326 art 2 s 34] §
Subd. 3.Venue.
The offense may be prosecuted either at the place where the letter, telegram, or package is sent or received or, alternatively in the case of wireless electronic communication, where the sender or receiver resides.
History:
1963 c 753 art 1 s 609.795; 1971 c 23 s 81; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 307 s 6; 1989 c 261 s 8; 1993 c 326 art 2 s 24; 2000 c 311 art 4 s 7; 2005 c 136 art 17 s 49; 2020 c 96 s 5
History: History: 1963 c 753 art 1 s 609.795; 1971 c 23 s 81; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 307 s 6; 1989 c 261 s 8; 1993 c 326 art 2 s 24; 2000 c 311 art 4 s 7; 2005 c 136 art 17 s 49; 2020 c 96 s 5