reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART VII - Crimes Against Public Decency and Good Morals (§§ 961-968 — 1332) › Chapter 93 - Gaming (§§ 1241-1246 — 1259) › § 1253 - Printing of material; penalties; condemnation; trial without jury; preference—Special investigation force

There is hereby created a special investigation force, annexed to the Office of the Governor of Puerto Rico which shall be in charge of all matters connected with the investigation of the violations of §§ 1247—1257 of this title, with powers to enforce search warrants, make arrests, take depositions, seize evidence, and in general, all such other powers as by law appertain to the members of the Police of Puerto Rico, and they shall be responsible for the discharge of their duties only to the Governor of Puerto Rico. The Governor shall have power to prescribe rules for the organization and government of said special investigation force, and he may assign all such other duties and functions, not in conflict with §§ 1247—1257 of this title, as are to be discharged by the said special force. No provision of this section shall be understood in the sense of relieving the members of the Police of Puerto Rico from their duties in the enforcement also of the provisions of §§ 1247—1257 of this title.
The special investigation force created by §§ 1247—1257 of this title shall be composed of a director, and of the number of special agents and subordinate personnel that the Governor may deem necessary. The director, as well as the special agents and the subordinate personnel, shall be appointed by the Governor of Puerto Rico and shall hold their positions at the pleasure of the latter. The whole personnel composing the said special investigation force shall be included in the exempt service created by Act May 12, 1947, No. 345.
For the years following 1948-49, the sums necessary shall be included in the General Budget of Expenses of the Commonwealth Government.
History —May 15, 1948, No. 220, p. 738, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART VII - Crimes Against Public Decency and Good Morals (§§ 961-968 — 1332) › Chapter 93 - Gaming (§§ 1241-1246 — 1259) › § 1254 - Printing of material; penalties; condemnation; trial without jury; preference—Exertion of influence or failure to prosecute

Any person who lends himself to assist in any manner or who otherwise exerts influence to save any person from being persecuted, arrested or convicted for any violation of the provisions of §§ 1247—1257 of this title, or who has a direct or indirect interest in the games prohibited by §§ 1247—1257 of this title, or who fails or refuses to prosecute any violator of any of the provisions of §§ 1247—1257 of this title, shall be guilty of a felony and shall, upon conviction, be punished by imprisonment in the penitentiary for a term which shall in no case be less than one year nor more than ten (10) years. Such person shall be excluded from the benefits of §§ 1026—1029 of Title 34, and shall be disabled to discharge any public office; Provided, further, That the provisions of this section shall not be construed in the sense of depriving a defendant of his right to be represented by counsel, as such right is recognized under the laws.
History —May 15, 1948, No. 220, p. 738, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART VII - Crimes Against Public Decency and Good Morals (§§ 961-968 — 1332) › Chapter 93 - Gaming (§§ 1241-1246 — 1259) › § 1255 - Printing of material; penalties; condemnation; trial without jury; preference—Purchase or acquisition of billete, papeleta, or other implements

Any person who purchases or in way acquires any billete, papeleta, ticket, notebook, list of numbers or letters, slips, or implements used or utilized for the games prohibited by §§ 1247—1257 of this title, shall be guilty of a public offense and shall be arrested immediately, and the case shall be brought before the prosecuting attorney with jurisdiction in the matter, and such person shall, upon conviction, suffer the same penalty prescribed in § 1250 of this title.
History —May 15, 1948, No. 220, p. 738, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART VII - Crimes Against Public Decency and Good Morals (§§ 961-968 — 1332) › Chapter 93 - Gaming (§§ 1241-1246 — 1259) › § 1256 - Printing of material; penalties; condemnation; trial without jury; preference—Owner, manager, etc., of prohibited games; trial without jury

Any owner, attorney in fact, agent, person in charge, director or manager, of the games prohibited by §§ 1247—1257 of this title, shall be guilty of a felony and shall be arrested immediately, and the case brought without delay before the prosecuting attorney, with jurisdiction in the matter, and upon conviction, such person shall be punished by imprisonment in the penitentiary, for a term, which shall in no case be less than one year [nor] more than ten (10) years; Provided, That all the trials for violations of this section shall be tried by the court without a jury; and Provided, further, That no person convicted of a violation of the provisions of this section shall enjoy the benefits of §§ 1026—1029 of Title 34.
History —May 15, 1948, No. 220, p. 738, § 10; May 9, 1950, No. 264, p. 686.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART VII - Crimes Against Public Decency and Good Morals (§§ 961-968 — 1332) › Chapter 93 - Gaming (§§ 1241-1246 — 1259) › § 1257 - Printing of material; penalties; condemnation; trial without jury; preference—Bail on appeal

Upon appeal from a judgment of the Court of First Instance in connection with any violation of the provisions of §§ 1247—1257 of this title, the defendant shall not be admitted to bail unless, in the judgment of the trial judge, the Supreme Court or any of the Justices of the Supreme Court, the appeal is based on a substantial question, in which case any of the said judges may admit to bail.
History —May 15, 1948, No. 220, p. 738, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART VII - Crimes Against Public Decency and Good Morals (§§ 961-968 — 1332) › Chapter 93 - Gaming (§§ 1241-1246 — 1259) › § 1258 - Bancas alemanas outside of racetracks prohibited

The operation of the so-called “ bancas alemanas ” [outside of] the racetrack or hippodrome on race days [shall] be and is hereby strictly forbidden.
History —Mar. 9, 1911, No. 77, p. 245, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART VII - Crimes Against Public Decency and Good Morals (§§ 961-968 — 1332) › Chapter 93 - Gaming (§§ 1241-1246 — 1259) › § 1259 - Bancas alemanas outside of racetracks prohibited—Penalty

The violators of §§ 1258 and 1259 of this title will incur the penalty of a fine [of] not less than twenty-five dollars ($25) nor [more than] five hundred dollars ($500).
History —Mar. 9, 1911, No. 77, p. 245, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART VII - Crimes Against Public Decency and Good Morals (§§ 961-968 — 1332) › Chapter 97 - Crimes Against Other Classes of Property (§§ 1311-1317 — 1327) › § 1325 - Desecration of flag of the United States

Any person who in any manner, for exhibition or display, shall place or cause to be placed, any word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawing, or any advertisement of any nature, upon any flag, standard, color or ensign of the United States of America, or shall expose or cause to be exposed to public view any such flag, standard, color or ensign, upon which shall be printed, painted or otherwise placed, or to which shall be attached, appended, affixed, or annexed, any word, figure, mark, picture, design, or drawing, or any advertisement of any nature, or who shall expose to public view, manufacture, sell, expose for sale, give away, or have in possession for sale, or to give away, or for use for any purpose, any article or substance, being an article of merchandise, or a receptacle of merchandise, or car, or vehicle for transportation of merchandise, upon which shall have been printed, painted, attached, or otherwise placed, a representation of any such flag, standard, color or ensign, to advertise, call attention to, decorate, mark or distinguish the article or substance on which so placed, or who shall publicly mutilate, deface, defile, or defy, trample upon or drape in mourning (except at funerals), or cast contempt, either by word or act, upon any such flag, standard, color or ensign, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100), or by imprisonment for not more than thirty (30) days, or both, in the discretion of the court.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 62, § 1, eff. Apr. 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART VII - Crimes Against Public Decency and Good Morals (§§ 961-968 — 1332) › Chapter 97 - Crimes Against Other Classes of Property (§§ 1311-1317 — 1327) › § 1326 - Desecration of flag of the United States—Definitions

The words flag, standard, color or ensign, as used in §§ 1325—1327 of this title, shall include any flag, standard, color, ensign, or any picture or representation of either thereof, made of any substance, or represented on any substance, and of any size, evidently purporting to be either of said flag, standard, color or ensign of the United States of America, or a picture or a representation of either thereof, upon which shall be shown the colors, the stars and the stripes, in any number of either thereof, or by which the person seeing the same, without deliberation, may believe the same to represent the flag, colors, standard or ensign of the United States of America.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 62, § 2, eff. Apr. 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART VII - Crimes Against Public Decency and Good Morals (§§ 961-968 — 1332) › Chapter 97 - Crimes Against Other Classes of Property (§§ 1311-1317 — 1327) › § 1327 - Desecration of flag of the United States—Exceptions

Sections 1325—1327 of this title shall not apply to any act permitted by the Statutes of the United States of America, or by the United States Army and Navy Regulations, nor shall it be construed to apply to a newspaper, periodical, book, pamphlet, circular, certificate, diploma, warrant or commission of appointment to office, ornamental picture, article of jewelry, or stationery for use in correspondence, on any which shall be printed, painted or placed said flag disconnected from any advertisement.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 62, § 3, eff. Apr. 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART VII - Crimes Against Public Decency and Good Morals (§§ 961-968 — 1332) › Chapter 98 - Controlled Substances Testing Process and Results Tampering Penalization Act (§§ 1331 — 1332) › § 1331 - Fraud in the process or results of controlled substances testing

It shall be considered fraud in the controlled substance testing procedure or results thereof, to:
(a) Submit a specimen that contains a substance that does not come from the body of the person being tested;
(b) submit a specimen that has been collected at a time other than that indicated in the procedure established therefor;
(c) engage in any conduct with the intent to produce a false or different result to the one that would have been obtained if the procedure had been conducted as established, or
(d) engage in any conduct with the intent to create confusion in the analysis of the specimen.
History —Jan. 23, 2012, No. 37, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART VII - Crimes Against Public Decency and Good Morals (§§ 961-968 — 1332) › Chapter 98 - Controlled Substances Testing Process and Results Tampering Penalization Act (§§ 1331 — 1332) › § 1332 - Punishments

(a) Any person who offers for sale or rent, or manufactures, sells, transfers, or offers any person any instrument, tool, device, or substance adapted, designed, or used solely to defraud the administration or results of controlled substance tests shall be guilty of a fourth degree felony.
(b) Any person who knowingly defrauds the administration or result of a controlled substance test performed pursuant to a court order or as part of the conditions to enjoy a diversion program or to be entitled to a suspended sentence or other programs that allow convicts to live in the community at large with or without electronic monitoring shall be guilty of a fourth degree felony.
(c) Any person who knowingly defrauds the administration of controlled substance test performed as a requirement for a job or to continue holding a position as an employee or public official of the Government of Puerto Rico, which requires the administration of this type of test, shall be guilty of a fourth degree felony.
(d) Any person who knowingly is in possession of any instrument, product, tool, device, or substance adapted, designed or commonly used to defraud the administration of a controlled substance test shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(e) Any person responsible for administering a controlled substance test pursuant to a court order or as part of the conditions to enjoy a diversion program or to be entitled to a suspended sentence or other programs that allow convicts to live in the community at large with or without electronic monitoring, or as a requirement for a job or to continue holding a position as an employee or public official of the Government of Puerto Rico which requires the administration of this type of test, who knowingly defrauds the administration of the test, shall be guilty of a fourth degree felony.
History —Jan. 23, 2012, No. 37, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART VIII - Crimes Against Public Health and Safety (§§ 1361 — 1416) › Chapter 107 - Waste in Public or Private Places (§§ 1401 — 1403) › § 1401 - Discarding waste

(a) Any person who places, deposits, pours, or discards or orders the placing, depositing or discarding of any paper, wrappings, cans, bottles, cigarette butts, fruit, wood, residue, ashes, or any similar matter that is harmful to public health or safety, or any type of garbage or trash, without being duly authorized by officials or representatives of the Commonwealth or municipal governments, or any of their agencies or instrumentalities shall incur a misdemeanor that entails a fine of one hundred dollars ($100).
(b) If, when committing this administrative offense the infract[or] who disposes of trash, or bags containing garbage, dead animals, automobile tire or tires, branches or trunks of tree, debris, paper, cans, fruit or waste, including one or several land, air, or marine transportation vehicles, or pieces of furniture or appliances of any type, or any similar material that is harmful to public health and safety, or any type of garbage or trash, shall be bound to pay an administrative fine of two thousand dollars ($2,000).
(c) If the corresponding fine is not paid within thirty (30) days, the infractor shall be charged with a misdemeanor and upon conviction, he/she shall be punished by a fine of not less than two thousand dollars ($2,000), nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000). In all cases, the court shall also impose the penalty of restitution.
(d) The agents of the Puerto Rico Police, of the Municipal Guard and of the Corps of Rangers of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources are hereby empowered to, in addition to issuing a ticket for a violation to the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section, order the violator to pick up the garbage deposited. If he/she fails to do so as ordered, the [issuance] of a ticket shall be omitted and a complaint shall be filed for a misdemeanor against said person and upon conviction shall be punished with a fine of not less than two thousand dollars ($2,000) nor greater than five thousand dollars ($5,000) or the rendering of community service, through the collection of solid waste in the beaches and public thoroughfares of Puerto Rico, up to a maximum of fifty (50) hours per violation as community service through a program to be implemented and administered by the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, or a combination of these penalties at the discretion of the court.
History —June 4, 1969, No. 21, p. 36, § 1; Aug. 14, 1991, No. 64, § 1; Jan. 19, 1995, No. 11, § 5; Dec. 25, 2002, No. 308, § 1; Jan. 20, 2006, No. 11, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART VIII - Crimes Against Public Health and Safety (§§ 1361 — 1416) › Chapter 107 - Waste in Public or Private Places (§§ 1401 — 1403) › § 1402 - Aggravation

If as a result of the infraction, an accident that results in injury of a person or in damage to another’s property is caused or contributes to its cause, the infraction shall be prosecuted as a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500), or by imprisonment for a minimum term of one month, and for a maximum term of six (6) months, or both penalties at the discretion of the court. The court shall also impose restitution in all cases.
History —June 4, 1969, No. 21, p. 36, added as § 2 on Aug. 14, 1991, No. 64, § 2, eff. 90 days after Aug. 14, 1991.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART VIII - Crimes Against Public Health and Safety (§§ 1361 — 1416) › Chapter 107 - Waste in Public or Private Places (§§ 1401 — 1403) › § 1403 - Administrative tickets; issuance

Agents of the Commonwealth Police, the Municipal Guard, and the Rangers Corps of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources are hereby authorized to issue administrative fault tickets for violations of the provisions of this chapter pursuant to § 16-103 of Act July 20, 1960, No, 141.
The forms for said tickets may be prepared, printed, individually identified and distributed according to the regulations promulgated for such purposes by the Puerto Rico Police, the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and the corresponding municipalities, or the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Public Works pursuant to his/her regulations, it being understood that if authorized by the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works, said tickets may be those that have already been established for other administrative traffic violations.
If the administrative fine is not paid within said term, the agent of the Commonwealth Police, the Municipal Guard or from the Ranger Corps who issued the ticket shall be notified in order for him/her to file the corresponding charge.
History —June 4, 1969, No. 21, p. 36, added as § 3 on Aug. 14, 1991, No. 64, § 3; Jan. 19, 1995, No. 11, § 6, eff. 60 days after Jan. 19, 1995.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART VIII - Crimes Against Public Health and Safety (§§ 1361 — 1416) › Chapter 108 - Act to Prohibit the Unlawful Use of Laser Devices (§§ 1411 — 1416) › § 1411 - Title

This chapter shall be known as the “Act to Prohibit the Unlawful Use of Laser Devices”.
History —July 30, 2014, No. 118, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART VIII - Crimes Against Public Health and Safety (§§ 1361 — 1416) › Chapter 108 - Act to Prohibit the Unlawful Use of Laser Devices (§§ 1411 — 1416) › § 1412 - Definitions

For purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning stated below:
(a) Law Enforcement Officer.— Means any member or official of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or the United States of America, or of any political subdivision of Puerto Rico or the United States, whose duties are making arrests, including, but not limited to: the members of the Ranger Corps of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, the Puerto Rico Police Department, Assistant Police, the Municipal Police, Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigations of the Department of Justice, Custody Officers of the Corrections Administration, Custody Officers of the Pretrial Services Office, the National Guard while performing official duties and exercises, Custody Officers of the Juvenile Institutions Administration, the Internal Security Corps of the Ports Authority, the Director of the Drugs and Narcotics Control Office and the Controlled Substances Inspectors of the Mental Health and Addiction Services Administration, Investigating Officers of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Investigations of the Correctional System of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Inspectors of the Public Service Commission, the bailiffs of the General Courts of Justice of Puerto Rico, the marshals of the Federal Courts with jurisdiction in Puerto Rico, and the Internal Revenue Inspectors of the Department of the Treasury.
(b) Aircraft.— Means any contrivance now known or hereafter invented, used, or designed for navigation of, or flight in, the air, including, but not limited to helicopters, and similar vehicles.
(c) Laser pointer.— Is a handheld device used to amplify electromagnetic radiation by simulated emission that emits a beam visible to the human eye.
(d) Laser.— Means light amplified by the stimulated emission of radiation.
(e) Motor vehicle.— Means any self-propelled vehicle designed to be operated in public thoroughfares.
History —July 30, 2014, No. 118, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART VIII - Crimes Against Public Health and Safety (§§ 1361 — 1416) › Chapter 108 - Act to Prohibit the Unlawful Use of Laser Devices (§§ 1411 — 1416) › § 1413 - Prohibition; penalties

A person who intentionally or knowingly points, directs or aims a laser pointer shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000), imprisonment for a term not to exceed six (6) months, or both penalties at the discretion of the court in the following circumstances:
(a) When a person points a laser at a law enforcement officer or agent engaged in the performance of his/her official duties in such a manner that such officer or agent would reasonably believe that a firearm is pointed at him/her;
(b) When a person points a laser at a law enforcement officer or agent engaged in the performance of his/her official duties, jeopardizing the safety or operation of a motor vehicle or interrupting or impairing the services offered by such officer or agent to the citizenry; or
(c) When a person aims a laser at an aircraft on the ground or in flight, while occupied, with the intent to interfere with or interrupt the operation of the aircraft, jeopardizing the safety of the pilot or the persons aboard.
(d) When a person aims a laser at an air traffic control tower, while occupied, in any airport within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
History —July 30, 2014, No. 118, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART VIII - Crimes Against Public Health and Safety (§§ 1361 — 1416) › Chapter 108 - Act to Prohibit the Unlawful Use of Laser Devices (§§ 1411 — 1416) › § 1414 - Damages

Any person who intentionally or knowingly points, directs, or aims a laser pointer in the circumstances stated in subsections (a), (b), (c), or (d) of § 1413 of this title, and such act results in a bodily injury that is not permanent, but requires medical attention, specialized professional help or outpatient treatment, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
If, as a result of aiming a laser pointer in the circumstances stated in subsections (a), (b), (c), or (d) of § 1413 of this title, a person causes serious bodily harm to a human being, he/she shall be guilty of a felony. For purposes of this chapter, serious bodily harm means an injury that requires hospitalization, long-term treatment, or causes permanent or mutilating injuries.
If a person aims a laser pointer in the circumstances stated in subsections (a), (b), (c), or (d) of § 1413 of this title, such person shall be prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the Penal Code of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
History —July 30, 2014, No. 118, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART VIII - Crimes Against Public Health and Safety (§§ 1361 — 1416) › Chapter 108 - Act to Prohibit the Unlawful Use of Laser Devices (§§ 1411 — 1416) › § 1415 - Information to federal authorities

It shall be the duty of the Puerto Rico Police Department and law enforcement agencies to report to federal authorities any incident in connection with the aforementioned use of laser devices. Such agencies shall also cooperate with Federal authorities in the investigation and prosecution of the persons who committed such offense.
History —July 30, 2014, No. 118, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART VIII - Crimes Against Public Health and Safety (§§ 1361 — 1416) › Chapter 108 - Act to Prohibit the Unlawful Use of Laser Devices (§§ 1411 — 1416) › § 1416 - Exception

This chapter does not criminalize the authorized use of laser devices, as provided by the Federal Aviation Administration and other Federal agencies.
History —July 30, 2014, No. 118, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART IX - Crimes Against the Public Peace (§§ 1431 — 1472) › Chapter 115 - Generally (§§ 1431 — 1450) › § 1443 - Suppression of unnecessary noises

All kinds of unnecessary noises produced by the use of horns or caused by the lack of a muffler in motor vehicles or generated by an alarm device, radios, audio systems, amplifiers or loudspeakers in the urban zone, that are driven on the streets for business purposes, as well as any other unnecessary noises produced by means of any apparatus, utensil, or instrument, regardless of its name, nature or denomination, are hereby prohibited.
History —Apr. 26, 1940, No. 71, p. 490, § 1; Aug. 9, 1995, No. 131, § 1, eff. 60 days after Aug. 9, 1995.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART IX - Crimes Against the Public Peace (§§ 1431 — 1472) › Chapter 115 - Generally (§§ 1431 — 1450) › § 1444 - Suppression of unnecessary noises—Unnecessary noise defined

An unnecessary noise shall be understood to be any loud, disturbing, intense and frequent noise that, in view of all the circumstances involved, is intolerable, affecting the quiet and peaceful living.
History —Apr. 26, 1940, No. 71, p. 490, § 2; Aug. 9, 1995, No. 131, § 2, eff. 60 days after Aug. 9, 1995.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART IX - Crimes Against the Public Peace (§§ 1431 — 1472) › Chapter 115 - Generally (§§ 1431 — 1450) › § 1445 - Suppression of unnecessary noises—Radios; electrolas

The tone of radios shall not be so loud as to be heard from the street, or so as to annoy neighbors. The electrolas known as “nickel-in-the-slot machines” (velloneras) will have to have their volume considerably lowered so that their operation does not disturb the public. Establishments or discotheques in which sound equipment is used or live music is played shall be required to have air conditioners or walls with the fixtures necessary to minimize the sound in the rooms of the establishments designated for such purposes when their operations conclude after twelve o’clock midnight (12:00 AM).
It is hereby clarified that this requirement does not exempt from compliance with the laws and regulations on environmental public policy that apply in these cases, or from any other permit requirement from the Planning Board, the Regulations and Permits Administration, or any municipality, pursuant to the Autonomous Municipalities Act, §§ 4001 et seq. of Title 21.
History —Apr. 26, 1940, No. 71, p. 490, § 3; Aug. 29, 2000, No. 217, § 1, eff. July 1, 2001.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART IX - Crimes Against the Public Peace (§§ 1431 — 1472) › Chapter 115 - Generally (§§ 1431 — 1450) › § 1446 - Suppression of unnecessary noises—Cognizance of violations; penalties

The Court of First Instance shall take cognizance of the violations to §§ 1443—1448 of this title, and they shall be deemed as misdemeanors punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100), nor more than two hundred dollars ($200). When the normal mechanism of a motor vehicle has been altered with the purpose of generating noise, the fine shall be of not less than two hundred dollars ($200) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500).
History —Apr. 26, 1940, No. 71, p. 490, § 4; May 9, 1986, No. 19, p. 43; Aug. 9, 1995, No. 131, § 3, eff. 60 days after Aug. 9, 1995.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART IX - Crimes Against the Public Peace (§§ 1431 — 1472) › Chapter 115 - Generally (§§ 1431 — 1450) › § 1447 - Suppression of unnecessary noises—Ambulances, fire engines, and church bells exempted

There shall be exempted from compliance of §§ 1443—1448 of this title, drivers of ambulances and fire engines while rendering services proper to the nature of such vehicles. The noise produced by church bells in connection with religious observances and services, as well as the sound emitted during worship or ceremonial services by duly established churches, sects or religious denominations, shall not be held to be unnecessary noise; it being Provided, That nothing herein provided shall limit the powers of the Board on Environmental Quality to promulgate the regulations to which it is authorized by law.
History —Apr. 26, 1940, No. 71, p. 490, § 5; Apr. 29, 1974, No. 21, Part 1, p. 132.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART IX - Crimes Against the Public Peace (§§ 1431 — 1472) › Chapter 115 - Generally (§§ 1431 — 1450) › § 1448 - Suppression of unnecessary noises—Skyrocket bombs and petards

The municipalities of Puerto Rico and the Government of the Capital are hereby authorized to regulate the use of skyrocket bombs and petards from 8:00 o’clock in the morning to 10:00 o’clock in the evening. The use of such skyrocket bombs and petards outside of said hours is hereby prohibited.
History —Apr. 26, 1940, No. 71, p. 490, § 6, eff. 90 days after Apr. 26, 1940.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART IX - Crimes Against the Public Peace (§§ 1431 — 1472) › Chapter 115 - Generally (§§ 1431 — 1450) › § 1449 - Stretching obstacles across road to solicit contributions prohibited

The practice of stretching ropes, ribbons, or other obstacles across a road for the purpose of soliciting contributions from travelers in motor vehicles is hereby expressly prohibited.
History —May 4, 1937, No. 42, p. 160, § 1, eff. 90 days after May 4, 1937.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART IX - Crimes Against the Public Peace (§§ 1431 — 1472) › Chapter 115 - Generally (§§ 1431 — 1450) › § 1450 - Stretching obstacles across road to solicit contributions prohibited—Penalties

Any person or persons violating the provisions of §§ 1449 and 1450 of this title shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
History —May 4, 1937, No. 42, p. 160, § 2, eff. 90 days after May 4, 1937.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART XI - Crimes Against Property (§§ 1561 — 2171) › Chapter 145 - Extortion (§§ 1781 — 1786) › § 1785 - Public officers demanding or receiving excessive fees

Any officer authorized by law to demand or receive fees of office, or any person employed by such officer, who wilfully demands or receives higher fees than are allowed by law, shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) for such offense.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 88, § 1; Mar. 8, 1906, p. 84, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART XI - Crimes Against Property (§§ 1561 — 2171) › Chapter 149 - Issuance of Checks Without Sufficient Funds (§§ 1851 — 1856) › § 1851 - Issuance of check, etc., with knowledge of insufficient funds

Any person who, for the purpose of defrauding another, makes, extends, endorses, or delivers a check, draft, letter of credit, or order to pay money against any bank or other depositary, knowing at the time of doing so that the maker or drawer has not sufficient funds or credit in said bank or depositary for the total payment of the check, draft, letter of credit, or order upon the presentation thereof, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine that shall not be less than twice the amount of the said check, draft, letter of credit or order, or by imprisonment in jail for one day for each dollar or fraction thereof he fails to pay, or by both penalties, in the discretion of the court.
History —Apr. 25, 1934, No. 26, p. 278, § 1, eff. 90 days after Apr. 25, 1934.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART XI - Crimes Against Property (§§ 1561 — 2171) › Chapter 149 - Issuance of Checks Without Sufficient Funds (§§ 1851 — 1856) › § 1852 - Refusal of payment as evidence of knowledge

To make, extend, endorse, or deliver a check, draft, or order the payment of which is refused by the drawee for insufficiency of funds or lack of credit, shall constitute prima facie evidence of the knowledge of the drawer or endorser of the insufficiency of the funds or of the lack of credit.
History —Apr. 25, 1934, No. 26, p. 278, § 2, eff. 90 days after Apr. 25, 1934.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART XI - Crimes Against Property (§§ 1561 — 2171) › Chapter 149 - Issuance of Checks Without Sufficient Funds (§§ 1851 — 1856) › § 1853 - Credit defined

The word “credit,” as used in this chapter, shall be interpreted in the sense of an arrangement or understanding with the bank or depositary drawn upon, for the payment of said check, draft, letter of credit, or order.
History —Apr. 25, 1934, No. 26, p. 278, § 3, eff. 90 days after Apr. 25, 1934.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART XI - Crimes Against Property (§§ 1561 — 2171) › Chapter 149 - Issuance of Checks Without Sufficient Funds (§§ 1851 — 1856) › § 1854 - Notice to drawer or endorser required

No person shall be punished under this chapter unless it is proved to the satisfaction of the court that the holder of the check, draft, letter of credit, or order, or his agent, has personally notified the drawer or endorser to pay the holder or to his agent at the address to be specified on the notice, the amount of the check, draft, letter of credit, or order within a term of not less than ten (10) days, if the drawer or endorser to whom the notice is directed resides in the locality of the holder, and not less than fifteen (15) days if he resides in another municipality of the Commonwealth. Said term shall be computed from the date of the notice to the drawer or endorser of the unpaid draft, check, letter of credit, or order.
History —Apr. 25, 1934, No. 26, p. 278, § 4, eff. 90 days after Apr. 25, 1934.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART XI - Crimes Against Property (§§ 1561 — 2171) › Chapter 149 - Issuance of Checks Without Sufficient Funds (§§ 1851 — 1856) › § 1855 - Failure to pay after notice as evidence of intent to defraud

The failure of the person who drew, signed, endorsed, or delivered said check, draft, letter of credit, or order, to make payment after said notice, shall be prima facie evidence of the intent to defraud.
History —Apr. 25, 1934, No. 26, p. 278, § 5, eff. 90 days after Apr. 25, 1934.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART XI - Crimes Against Property (§§ 1561 — 2171) › Chapter 149 - Issuance of Checks Without Sufficient Funds (§§ 1851 — 1856) › § 1856 - Payment relieves of criminal liability

The payment of the check, letter of credit, draft, or order within the terms specified shall relieve of criminal liability the person who issued or endorsed said draft, letter of credit, check, or order.
History —Apr. 25, 1934, No. 26, p. 278, § 6, eff. 90 days after Apr. 25, 1934.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART XI - Crimes Against Property (§§ 1561 — 2171) › Chapter 151 - Violation of Lease (§ 1881) › § 1881 - Violation of provision of lease for services or facilities

Any lessor, agent, manager, administrator, superintendent, person in charge, or concierge of a building or part thereof, that in the lease or rental agreement whereof, by its expressed or implied terms requires the furnishing of hot or cold water, electric power, elevator services, telephone services or other service or facility to any occupant of said building, who willfully and intentionally fails to furnish said water, electric power, elevator service, telephone service or other service or utility at any time when the same are necessary for the proper and customary use of such building or part thereof, or any lessor, agent, manager, superintendent, administrator, person in charge or concierge, who willfully and intentionally interferes with the peaceful enjoyment of the property leased by such occupant, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500), or by imprisonment for a term of not more than ninety (90) days, or both penalties at the discretion of the court. Provided, That the provisions of this section shall not be applicable when the tenant has failed to pay the rent for three (3) consecutive months or more, after having been required said payment through a notice by certified mail with receipt requested, allowing five (5) working days from its receipt to make the payment, and warning him/her that otherwise, the services included in the lease contract shall be cancelled.
History —Nov. 21, 1941, No. 35, p. 124, § 1; Aug. 15, 1999, No. 255, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART XI - Crimes Against Property (§§ 1561 — 2171) › Chapter 167 - Offenses Against the Telegraph and Telephone Service (§§ 2151 — 2167) › § 2158 - Interception of telephone communications prohibited

No person shall intercept or attempt to intercept in any manner whatsoever any telephone communication transmitted or received between any points within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, for the purpose of learning its contents or of permitting any other person to learn such contents.
History —June 10, 1953, No. 66, p. 220, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART XI - Crimes Against Property (§§ 1561 — 2171) › Chapter 167 - Offenses Against the Telegraph and Telephone Service (§§ 2151 — 2167) › § 2159 - Interception of telephone communications prohibited—Publication

No person who has in any manner received an intercepted telephone communication, or who has learned the contents, substance, purpose, effect or scope of such communication or any part thereof, knowing that such information was thus obtained, shall divulge or publish the existence, contents, substance, purpose, effect or scope thereof, or any information therein contained. Provided, That any person who, not knowing that said information was obtained in violation of this section, shall divulge or publish the existence, contents, substance, purpose, effect or scope thereof, shall be under obligation to disclose the source of his knowledge, and if he refuses to do so, he shall be guilty of the offense and subject to the penalty established in § 2162 of this title.
History —June 10, 1953, No. 66, p. 220, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART XI - Crimes Against Property (§§ 1561 — 2171) › Chapter 167 - Offenses Against the Telegraph and Telephone Service (§§ 2151 — 2167) › § 2160 - Interception of telephone communications prohibited—Recording

No party to a telephone communication, nor any other person foreign thereto, shall record any telephone communication by means of any mechanical procedure or device, or permit any other person to listen in on such communication by means of an extension phone or otherwise without the express consent of all parties to such telephone communication.
History —June 10, 1953, No. 66, p. 220, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART XI - Crimes Against Property (§§ 1561 — 2171) › Chapter 167 - Offenses Against the Telegraph and Telephone Service (§§ 2151 — 2167) › § 2161 - Interception of telephone communications prohibited—Inadmissible as evidence

The courts shall not admit any evidence obtained in violation of §§ 2158, 2159 and 2160 of this title.
History —June 10, 1953, No. 66, p. 220, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART XI - Crimes Against Property (§§ 1561 — 2171) › Chapter 167 - Offenses Against the Telegraph and Telephone Service (§§ 2151 — 2167) › § 2162 - Interception of telephone communications prohibited—Penalties

Any person violating the provisions of any of §§ 2158, 2159 and 2160 of this title shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction punished by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000), and, in addition to such fine, he may be punished by imprisonment for a term not exceeding five (5) years.
History —June 10, 1953, No. 66, p. 220, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-THREE - Penal Code (§§ 1 — 4939) › Subtitle 1 - Penal Code of 1937 and Miscellaneous Laws (§§ 1 — 2204) › PART XI - Crimes Against Property (§§ 1561 — 2171) › Chapter 167 - Offenses Against the Telegraph and Telephone Service (§§ 2151 — 2167) › § 2163 - Unlawful use of telecommunication services—Prohibitions

Any natural or juridical person who attempts to defraud or who is an accomplice of another person to defraud any natural or juridical person of any lawful charge, in whole or in part, for any telecommunications service, including the Internet, or who prevents or attempts to prevent or who instigates or assists another person to prevent or attempts to prevent such charges for said service, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor:
(a) Charging said service to an existing account, telephone number or credit card without the authorization of the subscriber or the legitimate holder of same; or
(b) charging said service to a non-existing account, telephone number or credit card number, false, fictitious or forged, or to an account, telephone number or credit card, suspended, annulled, expired, cancelled or revoked; or
(c) using a code, preconceived device, or any stratagem or plan whereby said person, in fact, sends or receives information, or
(d) restructuring, altering or making connection with any facilities or equipment of a telephone company or any telecommunications enterprise, whether physically, by induction, acoustically, electronically or using said service knowing that such restructuring, alteration or connection existed or occurred.
The person guilty of the offense defined by §§ 2163—2165 of this title shall be punished by a fine which shall not exceed the sum of one hundred dollars ($100), or by imprisonment in jail for a term not to exceed thirty (30) days, or both penalties in the discretion of the court, whenever the charge for the service obtained or attempted to obtain by such actions does not exceed fifty dollars ($50); if the charge of the service obtained or attempted to obtain by such action exceeds fifty dollars ($50), said person shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500), or imprisonment in jail for a term not to exceed one year, or both penalties, in the discretion of the court.
History —May 29, 1968, No. 62, p. 104, § 1; Oct. 5, 1999, No. 311, § 1.