16-6-302. Sale of alcoholic beverage without license -- sale or importation in violation of code -- penalty. (1) For the purposes of this section "person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, company, firm, society, association, joint stock company, trust, or other entity capable of holding a legal or beneficial interest in property, but does not include a state or agency of a state.
     (2) A person who has not been issued a license under this code who sells or keeps for sale in Montana any alcoholic beverage commits a criminal offense and upon conviction is punishable by a fine not to exceed $5,000 or by imprisonment in the state prison for not less than 1 or more than 5 years or by both the fine and imprisonment.
     (3) A person in the business of selling alcoholic beverages in another state or country who imports or distributes alcoholic beverages in violation of this code commits a civil offense.
     (4) A person convicted under subsection (3):
     (a) for a first offense, must be mailed a certified letter by the department ordering that person to cease and desist any shipments of alcoholic beverages to any person in Montana;
     (b) for a second offense, shall be fined a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000;
     (c) for a third offense, shall be fined a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000; and
     (d) for a fourth or subsequent offense, shall be fined a civil penalty not to exceed $50,000.

     History: En. Sec. 18, Ch. 84, L. 1937; Sec. 4-420, R.C.M. 1947; amd. and redes. 4-4-407 by Sec. 97, Ch. 387, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 4-4-407; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 5, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 543, L. 2001.