Michigan law prohibiting the tampering, destruction, or concealment of evidence.
Full Text
750.491 Tampering with evidence.
Sec. 491. Any person who shall willfully and knowingly tamper with, remove, conceal, damage, alter, or destroy any evidence, documents, or material of any kind, with intent to defeat or obstruct, the due execution of the law, or with intent to avoid or escape, detection, arrest, trial or punishment for any crime, is guilty of a felony.
Penalties
This offense is a felony under Michigan law, punishable by:
- Up to 4 years imprisonment
- Fine up to $5,000
- Or both
Relevance
This statute is relevant when officials:
- Delete text messages or communications relevant to investigations
- Destroy or alter official records
- Conceal evidence of misconduct
- Fail to preserve materials subject to litigation holds