§ 14-401.8. Refusing to relinquish party telephone line in emergency; false statement of emergency. - North Carolina Statutes

§14‑401.8.  Refusing to relinquish party telephone line in emergency;false statement of emergency.

Any person who shall willfullyrefuse to immediately relinquish a party telephone line when informed that suchline is needed for an emergency call to a fire department or police department,or for medical aid or ambulance service, or any person who shall secure the useof a party telephone line by falsely stating that such line is needed for anemergency call, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

     The term "partyline" as used in this section is defined as a subscriber's line telephonecircuit, consisting of two or more main telephone stations connected therewith,each station with a distinctive ring or telephone number.  The term "emergency"as used in this section is defined as a situation in which property or humanlife are in jeopardy and the prompt summoning of aid is essential. (1955,c. 958; 1993, c. 539, s. 278; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)