sentence; civil action; definitions.
Sec. 147c.
(1) A person is guilty of institutional desecration if that person maliciously and intentionally
destroys, damages, defaces, or vandalizes, or makes a true threat to destroy, damage, deface,
or vandalize, any of the following, in whole or in part, because of the actual or perceived race,
color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental
disability, age, ethnicity, or national origin of another individual or group of individuals,
regardless of the existence of any additional motivating factors:
(a) A synagogue, mosque, church, temple, gurdwara, shrine, or other building, structure, or
place used for religious worship or other religious purpose.
(b) A cemetery, mortuary, or other facility used for the purpose of burial or memorializing
the dead.
(c) A school, educational facility, library, museum, community center, or campground.
(d) A business or charitable establishment, storefront, facility, office, or headquarters.
(e) The grounds adjacent to, and owned or rented by, any institution, facility, building,
structure, or place described in subdivision (a), (b), (c), or (d).
(f) The digital or online assets maintained, authored, rented, or owned by any institution,
facility, entity, or place described in subdivision (a), (b), (c), or (d).
(g) Any personal, communal, or institutional property contained in any institution, facility,
building, structure, or place described in subdivision (a), (b), (c), or (d).
(2) If any of the following apply, a person who violates subsection (1) is guilty of a felony
punishable by imprisonment for not more than 10 years or a fine of not more than $15,000.00
or 3 times the amount of the destruction or injury, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment
and a fine:
(a) The amount of the destruction or injury is $20,000.00 or more.
(b) The person violates subsection (3)(a) and has 2 or more prior convictions for committing
or attempting to commit an offense under this section. For purposes of this subdivision,
however, a prior conviction does not include a conviction for a violation or attempted violation
of subsection (4)(b) or (5).
(3) If any of the following apply, a person who violates subsection (1) is guilty of a felony
punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not more than $10,000.00
or 3 times the amount of the destruction or injury, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment
and a fine:
(a) The amount of the destruction or injury is $1,000.00 or more but less than $20,000.00.
(b) The person violates subsection (4)(a) and has 1 or more prior convictions for committing
or attempting to commit an offense under this section. For purposes of this subdivision,
however, a prior conviction does not include a conviction for a violation or attempted violation
of subsection (4)(b) or (5).
(4) If any of the following apply, a person who violates subsection (1) is guilty of a
misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than
$2,000.00 or 3 times the amount of the destruction or injury, whichever is greater, or both
imprisonment and a fine:
(a) The amount of the destruction or injury is $200.00 or more but less than $1,000.00.
Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 91 of 2026
Rendered Sunday, September 6, 2026 Page 111 of 465 Courtesy of legislature.mi.gov
(b) The person violates subsection (5) and has 1 or more prior convictions for committing or
attempting to commit an offense under this section or a local ordinance substantially
corresponding to this section.
(5) If the amount of the destruction or injury is less than $200.00, a person who violates
subsection (1) is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93
days or a fine of not more than $500.00 or 3 times the amount of the destruction or injury,
whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine.
(6) The amounts of the destruction or injury in separate incidents pursuant to a scheme or
course of conduct within any 12-month period may be aggregated to determine the total
amount of the destruction or injury.
(7) If the prosecuting attorney intends to seek an enhanced sentence based on the defendant
having 1 or more prior convictions, the prosecuting attorney shall include on the complaint
and information a statement listing the prior conviction or convictions. The existence of the
defendant's prior conviction or convictions must be determined by the court, without a jury, at
sentencing or at a separate hearing for that purpose before sentencing. The existence of a prior
conviction may be established by any evidence relevant for that purpose, including, but not
limited to, 1 or more of the following:
(a) A copy of the judgment of conviction.
(b) A transcript of a prior trial, plea-taking, or sentencing.
(c) Information contained in a presentence report.
(d) The defendant's statement.
(8) In lieu of or in addition to the penalties described in subsections (4) and (5), the court
may, if the defendant consents, impose an alternative sentence described under this subsection.
In determining the suitability of an alternative sentence described under this subsection, the
court shall consider the criminal history of the offender, the impact of the offense on the victim
and wider community, the availability of the alternative sentence, and the nature of the
violation. An alternative sentence may, if the entity chosen for community service is amenable,
include an order requiring the offender to complete a period of community service intended to
enhance the offender's understanding of the impact of the offense on the victim and wider
community.
(9) The court may, if the defendant consents, reduce any penalty imposed under subsection
(3) by not more than 20% and impose an alternative sentence described under this subsection.
In determining the suitability of an alternative sentence described under this subsection, the
court shall consider the criminal history of the offender, the impact of the offense on the victim
and wider community, the availability of the alternative sentence, and the nature of the
violation. An alternative sentence may, if the entity chosen for community service is amenable,
include an order requiring the offender to complete a period of community service intended to
enhance the offender's understanding of the impact of the offense on the victim and wider
community.
(10) Regardless of the existence or outcome of any criminal prosecution, an entity or
institution described under subsection (1) that suffers damage or destruction to property may
bring a civil cause of action against the person who commits the offense to secure an
injunction, actual damages, including damages for infliction of mental injury or emotional
distress, or other appropriate relief. A plaintiff who prevails in a civil action brought pursuant
to this section may recover both of the following:
(a) Damages in the amount of 3 times the actual damages described in this subsection or
$25,000.00, whichever is greater.
(b) Reasonable attorney fees and costs.
Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 91 of 2026
Rendered Sunday, September 6, 2026 Page 112 of 465 Courtesy of legislature.mi.gov
(11) As used in this section:
(a) "Reckless disregard" means to consciously disregard a substantial and unjustifiable risk
that a statement will be viewed as threatening violence.
(b) "True threat" means a statement in which the speaker means to communicate a serious
expression of an intent to commit an act of unlawful violence to a particular individual or
group of individuals, including unlawful property damage to the property of a particular
individual or group of individuals. A true threat includes such a communication made with
reckless disregard. A speaker is not liable for communicating a true threat if the speaker was
unaware that the individual or the group of individuals could regard the statement as
threatening violence.§ 750.147cInstitutional desecration; violation; felony; penalties; enhanced or alternative
en · 8,408 chars · active
Primary source. The text above is the canonical statute body as it appears in this revision of the atlas. Verify against the official gazette before quoting in litigation or formal advice. Spot an error? Suggest a correction.