(a) As used in this section, catalytic converter means a motor vehicle exhaust emission control that reduces toxic gases and pollutants from an internal combustion engine.
(b) Any person in possession of a catalytic converter which had previously been installed on a motor vehicle, or parts thereof, shall have in his or her possession written documentation of ownership or authorization to possess the catalytic converter. Any person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $1,000 or confined in jail not more than one year, or both fined and confined.
(1) Each catalytic converter possessed in violation of this subsection shall constitute a separate offense.
(2) Any catalytic converter possessed in violation of this subsection is subject to seizure at the time of arrest.
(3) A person possessing a single catalytic converter in violation of this subsection shall for the offense be charged by citation and not subject to arrest for that offense.
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, presentation to the court in which charges alleging a violation of said subsection are pending sufficient evidence to show lawful ownership or authority to possess constitutes an absolute defense to the charge or charges.
(c) Any person placing an advertisement on an Internet-based platform, including, but not limited to, Facebook or Twitter, soliciting the sale or purchase of a catalytic converter in this state must have completed the requirements to be a scrap metal recycler in 61-3-49(b) of this code, including any other business requirements. Any person who violates this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $1,000 or confined in jail not more than one year, or both fined and confined.
(1) Each catalytic converter possessed in violation of this subsection shall constitute a separate offense.
(2) Any catalytic converter possessed in violation of this subsection is subject to seizure at the time of arrest.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, presentation to the court in which charges alleging a violation of said subsection are pending sufficient evidence to show lawful ownership or authority to possess constitutes an absolute defense to the charge or charges.
Structure West Virginia Code
Chapter 61. Crimes and Their Punishment
Article 3. Crimes Against Property
§61-3-1. Burning, etc., of a Dwelling or Outbuilding; First Degree Arson; Penalty; Definitions
§61-3-2. Burning, etc., of Other Buildings or Structures; Second Degree Arson; Penalty
§61-3-4. Attempt to Commit Arson; Fourth Degree Arson; Penalty
§61-3-5. Burning, or Attempting to Burn, Insured Property; Penalty
§61-3-6. Willfully, Unlawfully and Maliciously Setting Fire on Lands; Penalty
§61-3-7. Causing Injuries During an Arson-Related Crime; Penalties
§61-3-8. Recovery of Costs Incurred in Fighting Fires Caused by Arson
§61-3-11. Burglary; Entry of Dwelling or Outhouse; Penalties
§61-3-13. Grand and Petit Larceny Distinguished; Penalties
§61-3-14. Larceny of Bank Notes, Checks, Writings of Value and Book Accounts; Penalty
§61-3-15. How Value of Notes, Book Accounts and Other Writings Determined
§61-3-16. Larceny of Things Savoring of Realty
§61-3-18. Receiving or Transferring Stolen Goods
§61-3-20a. Embezzlement by Misuse of Power of Attorney or Other Fiduciary Relationship; Penalty
§61-3-21. Embezzlement by Carrier or Other Person
§61-3-22. Falsifying Accounts; Penalty
§61-3-22a. Possession or Use of Automated Sales Suppression Devices; Penalty
§61-3-23. Destroying or Concealing Will; Embezzlement by Fiduciary; Penalty
§61-3-24c. Intercepting or Monitoring Customer Telephone Calls; Penalty
§61-3-24d. Fraudulent Schemes; Cumulation of Amounts Where Common Scheme Exists; Penalties
§61-3-24f. Wrongfully Seeking Workers' Compensation; False Testimony or Statements; Penalties; Venue
§61-3-25. Casting Away, Destroying or Interfering With Floating Craft or Material; Penalty
§61-3-27. Malicious Killing of Animals by Poison or Otherwise; Penalty
§61-3-28. Offenses Against Railroad Property and Persons on Railroad Property; Definitions
§61-3-33. Entry Upon Inclosed Lands; Penalty; Liability for Damages
§61-3-34. Taking or Injuring Garden or Field Crops; Penalties
§61-3-35. Digging Cultivated Ginseng; Penalty
§61-3-36. Anchoring or Beaching Shanty Boats on Lands of Another; Penalties
§61-3-37. False Statement as to Financial Condition of Person, Firm or Corporation; Penalty
§61-3-38. Publication of False Advertisements; Penalty
§61-3-39. Obtaining Property in Return for Worthless Check; Penalty
§61-3-39a. Making, Issuing, etc., Worthless Checks on a Preexisting Debt; Penalty
§61-3-39c. Reason for Dishonor; Duty of Drawee
§61-3-39d. Prima Facie Evidence of Knowledge; Identity; Penalty for Providing False Information
§61-3-39e. Notice of Dishonor by Payee; Service Charge
§61-3-39f. Manner of Filing Complaint for Warrant; Form
§61-3-39g. Complaint; Notice of Complaint; Issuance of Warrant; Payment Procedures; Costs
§61-3-39h. Payment of Costs in Worthless Check Cases; Disposition of Certain Costs
§61-3-39i. Preparation of List of Worthless Check Warrants
§61-3-39j. Use of Worthless Check List Upon Receipt of Complaint for Warrant
§61-3-39n. Notice to Persons Accepted to the Worthless Check Restitution Program
§61-3-39o. Agreement to Suspend Prosecution of a Person Accepted Into the Restitution Program
§61-3-39p. Fees for Participation in the Worthless Check Restitution Program
§61-3-40. Fraudulently Obtaining Food or Lodging; Penalty
§61-3-41. Employees Conservators of the Peace; Special Railroad Policemen; Penalties
§61-3-42. Intoxication of Person in Charge of Locomotive Engine or Car; Penalties
§61-3-44. Procuring Gas, Water or Electricity, by Device, With Intent to Defraud; Penalty
§61-3-45. Tampering With Pipes, Tubes, Wires or Electrical Conductors; Penalty
§61-3-45a. Unlawful Opening of Pipes, Pipelines, Tanks, etc.; Penalties
§61-3-46. Use of Slugs, False Coins, etc., in Coin-Box Telephone; Penalty
§61-3-47. Dams or Obstructions in Watercourses; Penalty
§61-3-49b. Disruption of Communications and Utilities Services
§61-3-51. Precious Metals and Gem Dealers; Records; Prohibited Acts
§61-3-52. Wrongful Injuries to Timber; Criminal Penalties
§61-3-53. Unauthorized Use of Dumpsters
§61-3-54. Taking Identity of Another Person; Penalty
§61-3-55. Failure to Pay for Gasoline
§61-3-56. Scanning Device or Reencoder Fraud; Felony; Definitions; and Penalties
§61-3-57. Possession of Bogus Receipts or Universal Product Codes With Intent to Defraud; Penalties