THE MICHIGAN PENAL CODE (EXCERPT)
Act 328 of 1931 Chapter XL
FLAG AND COAT-OF-ARMS

750.244 Flag and coat-of-arms; definitions.

Sec. 244.

Definitions—The words "flag", "standard", "color", "ensign", "coat-of-arms" or "shield", as used in this chapter, shall include any flag, standard, color, ensign, coat-of-arms or shield, or copy, picture or representation thereof, made of any substance or represented or produced thereon, and of any size, evidently purporting to be such flag, standard, color, ensign, coat-of-arms or shield of the United States or of this state, or a copy, picture or representation thereof.

History: 1931, Act 328, Eff. Sept. 18, 1931 ;-- CL 1948, 750.244
Former Law: See section 1 of Act 222 of 1923, being CL 1929, § 17087.

750.245 Exhibition and display.

Sec. 245.

Exhibition and display of flag, etc.—Any person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor who shall, in any manner, for exhibition or display:

(a) Place or cause to be placed any word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawing or advertisement of any nature upon any flag, standard, color, ensign, coat-of-arms or shield of the United States or of this state, or authorized by any law of the United States or of this state; or

(b) Expose to public view any such flag, standard, color, ensign, coat-of-arms or shield upon which shall have been printed, painted or otherwise produced, or to which shall have been attached, appended, affixed or annexed any such word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawing or advertisement; or

(c) Expose to public view for sale, manufacture, or otherwise, or to sell, give or have in possession for sale, for gift or for use for any purpose, any substance, being an article of merchandise, or receptacle, or thing for holding or carrying merchandise, upon or to which shall have been produced or attached any such flag, standard, color, ensign, coat-of-arms or shield, in order to advertise, call attention to, decorate, mark or distinguish such article or substance.

History: 1931, Act 328, Eff. Sept. 18, 1931 ;-- CL 1948, 750.245
Former Law: See sections 2 and 5 of Act 222 of 1923, being CL 1929, §§ 17088 and 17091.

750.246 Mutilation.

Sec. 246.

Mutilation of flag, etc.—Any person who shall publicly mutilate, deface, defile, defy, trample upon or by word or act cast contempt upon any such flag, standard, color, ensign, coat-of-arms or shield, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

History: 1931, Act 328, Eff. Sept. 18, 1931 ;-- CL 1948, 750.246
Former Law: See sections 3 and 5 of Act 222 of 1923, being CL 1929, §§ 17089 and 17091.

750.247 Exceptions to chapter.

Sec. 247.

Exceptions—This chapter shall not apply to any act permitted by the statutes of the United States or of this state, or by the United States army and navy regulations, nor shall it apply to any printed or written document or production, stationery, ornament, picture or jewelry whereon shall be depicted said flag, standard, color, ensign, coat-of-arms or shield with no design or words thereon and disconnected with any advertisement.

History: 1931, Act 328, Eff. Sept. 18, 1931 ;-- CL 1948, 750.247
Former Law: See section 4 of Act 222 of 1923, being CL 1929, § 17090.

Rendered 8/15/2025 10:32 AM
Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 5 of 2025
Courtesy of legislature.mi.gov