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.