State enforcement at a glance
This page groups each jurisdiction by the highest criminal grade that the cited statute gives a violation by the organization. Each row links to its source. The row prints the source's words when we found them in the source.
Felony states
16
Some violations can be charged as a felony
Misdemeanor states
16
A crime, but not a felony
Civil for the organization
13
No crime for the organization; paid-solicitor crimes are noted
Not yet classified
6
No quote that we cite names the grade yet
Jurisdictions
51
Each has a row below
Felony (16)
The cited statute lets the state charge a violation by the organization as a felony in some cases.
| Jurisdiction | Mechanism | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama (AL) | Alabama (civil penalty up to $5,000 + registration cancellation)“failure to immediately discontinue solicitation, or to register in accordance with this section, shall be unlawful and the charitable organizations or persons committing the violation shall forfeit and pay a penalty of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) upon petition by the Attorney General or a district attorney acting in the name of the state.”Criminal grade: “(q) Any solicitor or person who knowingly violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of charitable fraud. The initial conviction of charitable fraud shall be a Class A misdemeanor. A second or subsequent conviction of charitable fraud shall be a Class C felony.” | Ala. Code §13A-9-71Criminal grade: Ala. Code § 13A-9-71(q) |
| Colorado (CO) | Colorado (class 5 felony for charitable fraud per § 6-16-111(2); a violation is also a deceptive trade practice under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act)“Any person who commits charitable fraud in violation of paragraph (b), (c), (d), (f), or (g) of subsection (1) of this section is guilty of a class 5 felony, and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished in accordance with section 18-1.3-401, C.R.S.” | Colo. Rev. Stat. §6-16-111 |
| Florida (FL) | Florida (administrative fine up to $5,000 per violation; up to $500 per violation for a 501(c)(3) organization that fails to register; up to $10,000 for fraud or deception)“Except as provided in paragraph (g), imposing an administrative fine not to exceed $5,000 for each act or omission that constitutes a violation of ss. 496.401 - 496.424 or s. 496.426 or a rule or order. With respect to a s. 501(c)(3) organization, the penalty imposed pursuant to this subsection may not exceed $500 per violation for failure to register under s. 496.405 or file for an exemption under s. 496.406(2). The penalty shall be the entire amount per violation and is not a daily penalty; and (g) Imposing an administrative fine not to exceed $10,000 for a violation of this chapter that involves fraud or deception.”Criminal grade: “Except as otherwise provided in ss. 496.401-496.424, and in addition to any administrative or civil penalties, any person who willfully and knowingly violates ss. 496.401-496.424 commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. For a second or subsequent conviction, such violation constitutes a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.” | Fla. Stat. §496.419(5)Criminal grade: Fla. Stat. § 496.417 |
| Kentucky (KY) | Kentucky (Class D FELONY for knowing violations + KCPA civil)“Any person who knowingly violates any provision of KRS 367.652, 367.653, 367.656, 367.657, 367.658, 367.666, or 367.668 or who knowingly gives false or incorrect information to the Attorney General in filing statements or reports required by KRS 367.650 to 367.670 shall be guilty of a Class D felony.” | KRS 367.990(9)(c) |
| Michigan (MI) | Michigan (felony for listed knowing violations, such as a materially false statement in a required filing: up to 5 years, a fine up to $20,000, or both, for each violation per MCL 400.293(2))“A person that does any of the following is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not more than $20,000.00, or both, for each violation:” | MCL §400.293 |
| Mississippi (MS) | Mississippi (misdemeanor up to $2K + 1yr jail; felony fraud up to $25K + 5yr per § 79-11-529)“Any person who knowingly and willingly violates the provisions of Sections 79-11-501 through 79-11-527 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one (1) year or both. In connection with any solicitation, any person employing a device, scheme or artifice to defraud; or engaging in any act, practice or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any person, or obtaining money or property by means of any false pretense, representation or promise shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) or imprisoned not more than five (5) years, or both.” | Miss. Code § 79-11-529 |
| Missouri (MO) | Missouri (class E felony for a willful and knowing unlawful practice, such as deception in a charitable solicitation, done with the intent to defraud, per § 407.020.3)“Any person who willfully and knowingly engages in any act, use, employment or practice declared to be unlawful by this section with the intent to defraud shall be guilty of a class E felony.” | Mo. Rev. Stat. §407.020.3 |
| Nebraska (NE) | Nebraska (Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act: Class IV felony for a willful violation of an injunction or an assurance of voluntary compliance per § 87-303.09; a violation of the Act is a Class II misdemeanor per § 87-303.08)“Any person who willfully violates the terms of an injunction or declaratory judgment of the court or the terms of a written assurance of voluntary compliance entered into pursuant to the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act shall be guilty of a Class IV felony.” | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 87-303.09 |
| New Hampshire (NH) | New Hampshire ($10K/violation civil + entity FELONY for knowing violations)“Any person who violates the terms of an injunction or other order entered under this section shall, in addition to all other penalties, pay to the state a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each violation which may be recovered in a civil action brought by the attorney general.”Criminal grade: “Any person who knowingly violates any provision of RSA 7:19-7:32-a shall be guilty of a misdemeanor if a natural person and guilty of a felony if any other person.” | N.H. RSA 7:28-f, RSA 7:32-bCriminal grade: N.H. RSA 7:32-b |
| North Dakota (ND) | North Dakota (class A misdemeanor for soliciting in violation of the chapter or for failing to properly complete and promptly file a required report; class C felony for soliciting after the registration is revoked, per NDCC § 50-22-05)“Any person conducting a solicitation in violation of this chapter, or failing to properly complete and promptly file any report, tax return, or other information required under this chapter, is guilty of a class A misdemeanor. Any person conducting a solicitation after the person's registration is revoked is guilty of a class C felony.” | NDCC § 50-22-05 |
| Ohio (OH) | Ohio (up to $10,000 per violation + 1st-degree misdemeanor)“may award to the state a civil penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars for each violation of this chapter or rule”Criminal grade: “(A) Whoever violates any provision of sections 1716.02 to 1716.17 of the Revised Code, other than division (A)(1) of section 1716.14 of the Revised Code, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. Each occurrence of a solicitation of a contribution from any person in violation of any provision of sections 1716.02 to 1716.17 of the Revised Code, other than division (A)(1) of section 1716.14 of the Revised Code, is considered a separate offense. (B)(1) Whoever violates division (A)(1) of section 1716.14 of the Revised Code is guilty of solicitation fraud and shall be punished as provided in divisions (B)(2) to (4) of this section. (2) Except as otherwise provided in division (B)(4) of this section, division (B)(3) of this section applies to solicitation fraud, and solicitation fraud is one of the following: (a) Except as otherwise provided in divisions (B)(2)(b) to (d) of this section, a misdemeanor of the first degree or, if the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a theft offense or a violation of division (A)(1) of section 1716.14 of the Revised Code, a felony of the fifth degree. (b) If the value of the contribution or contributions made in the violation is one thousand dollars or more but less than seven thousand five hundred dollars, a felony of the fifth degree or, if the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a theft offense or a violation of division (A)(1) of section 1716.14 of the Revised Code, a felony of the fourth degree.” | ORC §1716.16(B)Criminal grade: ORC § 1716.99(A), (B) |
| Oklahoma (OK) | Oklahoma (felony on conviction for a knowingly false material statement on a registration application, a similar name used to deceive the public, or a scheme to defraud in a solicitation, per tit. 18, § 552.14a(J))“any person convicted in a criminal proceeding of committing an act prohibited in paragraph 1, 3 or 5 of subsection A of this section, shall be guilty of a felony” | Okla. Stat. tit. 18, §552.14a |
| South Carolina (SC) | South Carolina (knowing and willful violation with the intent to deceive or defraud: misdemeanor for a first offense, a fine up to $5,000, imprisonment up to one year, or both; felony for a later offense, a fine up to $10,000, imprisonment up to five years, or both, per § 33-56-145(A))“A person that knowingly and wilfully violates a provision of this chapter with the intent to deceive or defraud an individual or a charitable organization is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction for a first offense, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. For a second offense or subsequent offense, a person is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.” | S.C. Code §33-56-145 |
| South Dakota (SD) | South Dakota (for each act in violation of § 37-24-6: Class 1 misdemeanor under $1,000; Class 6 felony over $1,000 and under $100,000; Class 5 felony over $100,000)“Each act in violation of this section under one thousand dollars is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Each act in violation of this statute over one thousand dollars but under one hundred thousand dollars is a Class 6 felony. Each act in violation of this section over one hundred thousand dollars is a Class 5 felony.” | SDCL § 37-24-6 |
| Tennessee (TN) | Tennessee (willful and knowing violation: Class B misdemeanor for a first offense, Class E felony for a second or later offense, per T.C.A. § 48-101-515; the Secretary of State can also assess civil penalties)“Any person who willfully and knowingly violates any provisions of this part or who willfully and knowingly gives false or incorrect information to the secretary of state, in filing statements or reports required by this part, whether such report or statement is verified or not, commits a Class B misdemeanor for the first offense, punishable as provided in § 40-35-111, and for the second and any subsequent offense commits a Class E felony.” | T.C.A. § 48-101-515 |
| Utah (UT) | Utah (third degree felony for an intentional violation of a final cease and desist order of the Division of Consumer Protection per § 13-2-107(3); the Division enforces the Charitable Solicitations Act and can impose administrative fines)“A person that intentionally violates a final cease and desist order entered by the division of which the person has notice is guilty of a third degree felony.” | Utah Code § 13-2-107(3) |
Misdemeanor (16)
The cited statute makes a violation by the organization a crime, but not a felony.
| Jurisdiction | Mechanism | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut (CT) | Connecticut ($2,500 per wilful violation civil + $5,000 fine or 1 year)“Any person who knowingly violates any provision of this section and sections 21a-190a to 21a-190k, inclusive, shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. (d) In any action brought under subsection (b) of this section, if the court finds that a person has wilfully engaged in conduct prohibited by section 21a-190h, the Attorney General, upon petition to the court, may recover, on behalf of the state, a civil penalty of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars for each violation.”Criminal grade: “(a) An offense for which a person may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than one year is a misdemeanor. (b) Misdemeanors are classified for the purposes of sentence as follows: (1) Class A, (2) class B, (3) class C, (4) class D, and (5) unclassified. (c) The particular classification of each misdemeanor defined in this chapter is expressly designated in the section defining it. (d) Any offense defined in any section of the general statutes which, by virtue of an expressly specified sentence, is within the definition set forth in subsection (a) of this section, but for which a particular classification is not expressly designated, shall be deemed: (1) A class A misdemeanor if the maximum term of imprisonment specified is one year;” | Conn. Gen. Stat. §21a-190lCriminal grade: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-26(a), (d)(1), grading § 21a-190l(c) |
| Hawaii (HI) | Hawaii (AG admin fine: $1,000/violation + $100/day continuing; late report $20/day cap $1,000)“Impose an administrative fine not to exceed $1,000 for each act or omission that constitutes a violation of this chapter and an additional penalty, not to exceed $100, for each day during which the violation continues.”Criminal grade: “(3) A crime is a misdemeanor if it is so designated in this Code or in a statute other than this Code enacted subsequent thereto, or if it is defined in a statute other than this Code which provides for a term of imprisonment the maximum of which is one year.” | HRS § 467B-9.7 + § 467B-6.5(d)Criminal grade: HRS § 701-107(3), grading HRS § 467B-10(2) |
| Illinois (IL) | Illinois ($500-$1,000/violation for registration failure)“the court may impose a civil penalty of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000 against the organization or trust estate that failed to register or failed to maintain a registration required”Criminal grade: “A true and correct copy of each contract shall be filed by the professional fund raiser and the charitable trustee or organization who is party thereto with the Attorney General prior to the conduct of a fundraising campaign under the contract and annually by the professional fund raiser at and with each reregistration. Each professional fund raiser shall pay an annual filing fee of $25 for each active contract filed or on file under this Act. The fee shall be paid at initial and annual re-registration. True and correct copies of such contracts shall be kept on file in the offices of the charitable organization and the professional fund raiser during the term thereof and until the expiration of a period of 3 years subsequent to the date the solicitation of contributions provided for therein actually terminates. Any person who violates the provisions of this Section is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.” | 225 ILCS 460/2(i) (Solicitation for Charity Act)Criminal grade: 225 ILCS 460/7(a) |
| Maine (ME) | Maine (an intentional violation is a Class D crime per 9 M.R.S. § 5014)“Any intentional violation of this chapter shall be a Class D crime.” | 9 M.R.S. §5014 |
| Maryland (MD) | Maryland (misdemeanor: for a willful violation, a fine up to $5,000, imprisonment up to 1 year, or both; for a grossly negligent violation, a fine up to $3,000, restitution, or both, per § 6-619)“A person who commits a willful violation of this title or who causes a person to commit a willful violation of this title is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both. (b) A person who commits a grossly negligent violation of this title or who causes a person to commit a grossly negligent violation of this title is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine not exceeding $3,000 or liability for restitution that the court determines or both.” | Md. Code Ann., Bus. Reg. § 6-619 |
| Minnesota (MN) | Minnesota (misdemeanor for a willful and knowing violation, or for willfully and knowingly giving false information to the attorney general, per § 309.581)“Any person who willfully and knowingly violates any provision of sections 309.50 to 309.61, or who willfully and knowingly gives false information to the attorney general in statements, reports, or contracts required to be filed by sections 309.50 to 309.61 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.” | Minn. Stat. §309.581 |
| Montana (MT) | Montana (Consumer Protection Act: civil fine up to $10,000 for each willful violation per § 30-14-142(2); on conviction for a fraudulent course of conduct, a fine up to $5,000, imprisonment up to 1 year, or both per § 30-14-142(3))“In an action brought under 30-14-111, if the court finds that a person is willfully using or has willfully used a method, act, or practice declared unlawful by 30-14-103, the department, upon petition to the court, may recover on behalf of the state a civil fine of not more than $10,000 for each violation. The fine provided for in this subsection is in addition to any liability that a person might be subject to under subsection (1). (3) A person who engages in a fraudulent course of conduct declared unlawful by 30-14-103 shall upon conviction be fined an amount not more than $5,000, imprisoned for not more than 1 year, or both, in the discretion of the court.”Criminal grade: “(42) "Misdemeanor" means an offense for which the sentence imposed upon conviction is imprisonment in the county jail for a term or a fine, or both, or for which the sentence imposed is imprisonment in a state prison for a term of 1 year or less.” | Montana Code § 30-14-142(2), (3)Criminal grade: MCA 45-2-101(42), grading MCA 30-14-142(3) through MCA 45-1-103(2) |
| New York (NY) | New York (civil $1,000/violation + $100/day per § 177; criminal prosecution per § 175; trust $10/day cap $1K per EPTL § 8-1.4)“assess a civil penalty against the violator of not more than one thousand dollars for each act or omission constituting a violation and an additional penalty of not more than one hundred dollars for each day during which such violation continues.”Criminal grade: “1. No person shall, for the purpose of soliciting contributions from persons in this state, use the name of any other person, except that of an officer, director or trustee of the charitable organization by or for which contributions are solicited, without the written consent of such other person. 2. A person shall be deemed to have used the name of another person for the purpose of soliciting contributions if such latter person's name is listed on any stationery, advertisement, brochure or correspondence in or by which a contribution is solicited by or on behalf of a charitable organization or his name is listed or referred to in connection with a request for a contribution as one who has contributed to, sponsored or endorsed the charitable organization or its activities. 3. Nothing contained in this section shall prevent the publication of names of contributors without their written consents, in an annual or other periodic report issued by a charitable organization for the purpose of reporting on its operations and affairs to its membership or for the purpose of reporting contributions to contributors. 4. A violation of this section shall be a misdemeanor.” | N.Y. Exec. Law § 177(2)(b) + § 175 + EPTL § 8-1.4(r)Criminal grade: N.Y. Exec. Law § 174-d |
| North Carolina (NC) | North Carolina (Class 1 misdemeanor for a willful and knowing violation, in addition to any administrative or civil penalties, per G.S. 131F-22)“Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter and in addition to any administrative or civil penalties, any person who willfully and knowingly violates a provision of this Chapter commits a Class 1 misdemeanor.” | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 131F-22 (Charitable Solicitation Act) |
| Oregon (OR) | Oregon ($2,000 per violation civil + Class A misdemeanor for false filings)“Impose a civil penalty of not more than $2,000 on the charitable organization or upon a charitable fiduciary responsible for the violation”Criminal grade: “Filing or assisting in preparing or filing a statement or report required by the Charitable Trust and Corporation Act, ORS 128.610 to 128.769, that is false or fraudulent is a Class A misdemeanor.” | ORS 128.675Criminal grade: ORS 128.992 |
| Pennsylvania (PA) | Pennsylvania ($1,000/violation + $100/day)“Impose an administrative fine not to exceed $1,000 for each act or omission which constitutes a violation of this act and an additional penalty, not to exceed $100 for each day during which such violation continues.”Criminal grade: “(a) DECEIT OR FRAUD VIOLATION.-- Any person who willfully and knowingly violates any provisions of this act with intent to deceive or defraud any charity or individual, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than five years, or both. (b) OTHER VIOLATIONS.-- Any other violation of this act shall constitute a misdemeanor of the third degree punishable, upon conviction, by a fine not exceeding $2,500 or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.” | 10 P.S. §§162.17(b), 162.18, 162.19(a)(6) (Solicitation of Funds for Charitable Purposes Act)Criminal grade: 10 P.S. § 162.18(a), (b) |
| Rhode Island (RI) | Rhode Island (misdemeanor for a willful and knowing violation: first offense fine up to $1,000, up to one year, or both; later offenses fine up to $5,000, up to five years, or both)“Any person who willfully and knowingly violates any provisions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, shall be sentenced for the first offense to pay a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or undergo imprisonment for not more than one year, or both, and for the second and any subsequent offense to pay a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) or to undergo imprisonment for not more than five (5) years, or both.” | R.I. Gen. Laws §5-53.1-15 |
| Virginia (VA) | Virginia ($5,000 per violation civil + escalating misdemeanor)“the court may also award to the Commonwealth a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 per violation,”Criminal grade: “A. Any person who willfully and knowingly violates or causes to be violated any provision of this chapter, or who willfully and knowingly gives false or incorrect information to the Commissioner in filing statements or reports required by this chapter, whether such report or statement is verified or not, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished for the first offense by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 or by confinement in jail for not more than six months, or both, and for the second and any subsequent offense by a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $2,500 or by confinement in jail for not more than one year, or both.” | Va. Code §57-59Criminal grade: Va. Code § 57-59(A) |
| Washington (WA) | Washington ($1,000 per violation civil + gross misdemeanor for knowing)“The secretary may assess against any entity that violates this chapter, or any rule adopted under this chapter, a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars for each violation.”Criminal grade: “(1) Any entity who knowingly violates any provision of this chapter or who knowingly gives false or incorrect information to the secretary, attorney general, or county prosecuting attorney in filing statements required by this chapter, whether or not such statement or report is verified is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW. (2) Any entity who violates any provisions of this chapter or who gives false or incorrect information to the secretary, attorney general, or county prosecuting attorney in filing statements required by this chapter, whether or not such statement or report is verified, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.” | RCW 19.09.275, 19.09.279Criminal grade: RCW 19.09.275 |
| West Virginia (WV) | West Virginia (misdemeanor: first $100-$500 + 6mo jail; subsequent $500-$1K + 1yr per § 29-19-15)“any person who willfully and knowingly violates any provision of this article, or who shall willfully and knowingly give false or incorrect information to the Secretary of State in filing statements or reports required by this article, whether such report or statement is verified or not, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined upon first conviction thereof in an amount not less than $100 nor more than $500, or be imprisoned in the county jail for not more than six months, or be both fined and imprisoned, and for the second and any subsequent offense to pay a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000, or be imprisoned for not more than one year, or be both fined and imprisoned.” | W.Va. Code § 29-19-15 |
| Wisconsin (WI) | Wisconsin (civil forfeiture $100–$10,000 per violation; $1,000–$10,000 for violating an injunction)“the court may make any necessary order or judgment, including but not limited to injunctions, restitution, and, notwithstanding s. 814.04, award of reasonable attorney fees and costs of investigation and litigation, and, except as provided in par. (c), may impose a forfeiture of not less than $100 nor more than $10,000 for each violation.”Criminal grade: “Every other crime is a misdemeanor.” | Wis. Stat. §202.18Criminal grade: Wis. Stat. § 939.60, grading Wis. Stat. § 202.06(6)(c)2. |
Civil for the organization (13)
The cited statute gives money penalties or court orders for the organization, not a crime. The row notes a crime that applies only to paid solicitors.
| Jurisdiction | Mechanism | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona (AZ) | Arizona ($1,000 civil per violation under § 44-6561; class 6 felony for contracted fund raisers; $10,000 per wilful violation under § 44-1531 for other consumer fraud)Felony provision applies to paid solicitors, not the organization.“A civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars per violation.”Criminal grade: “B. A contracted fund raiser who knowingly conducts any act or practice proscribed in subsection A of this section is guilty of a class 6 felony. C. An independent solicitor who knowingly conducts any act or practice proscribed in subsection A of this section is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.” | A.R.S. § 44-6561 + § 44-1531Criminal grade: A.R.S. § 44-6561(B), (C) |
| California (CA) | California ($25/month)“a late fee or an additional fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) for each month or part of the month” | Cal. Gov. Code § 12586.1 |
| Delaware (DE) | Delaware (Consumer Fraud Act civil up to $10,000 per willful violation per Title 6 § 2522(b))“the person shall forfeit and pay to the State a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each violation” | Delaware Code Title 6 § 2522(b) |
| Idaho (ID) | Idaho (civil $5,000/violation per § 48-606; $10,000/violation injunction per § 48-615; AG Consumer Protection enforcement)“To recover from the alleged violator civil penalties of up to five thousand dollars ($5,000) per violation for violation of the provisions of this chapter” | Idaho Code § 48-606 |
| Indiana (IN) | Indiana (DCSA: $5,000/violation civil; $15,000 injunction violation; $500 incurable per IC 24-5-0.5-4)“If a court finds any person has knowingly violated section 3 or 10 of this chapter, other than section 3(b)(19), 3(b)(20), or 3(b)(40) of this chapter, the attorney general, in an action pursuant to subsection (c), may recover from the person on behalf of the state a civil penalty of a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000) per violation.” | IC 24-5-0.5-4 |
| Iowa (IA) | Iowa (Consumer Fraud Act civil penalty up to $40,000 per violation, Iowa Code § 714.16)“the attorney general may request and the court may impose a civil penalty not to exceed forty thousand dollars per violation against a person found by the court to have engaged in a method, act, or practice declared unlawful under this section” | Iowa Code § 714.16 |
| Kansas (KS) | Kansas (civil penalty up to $10,000 per violation; injunction violation up to $20,000 per violation)“Any person who willfully violates the terms of any injunction or court order issued pursuant to this act shall forfeit and pay a civil penalty of not more than $20,000 per violation, in addition to other penalties that may be imposed by the court, as the court shall deem necessary and proper.” | K.S.A. § 17-1773 |
| Nevada (NV) | Nevada (civil penalty $50 baseline → $1,000 for 90+ days non-compliance; SoS revocation + AG referral per NRS § 82A.300)“(b) If the charitable organization is not required to file an annual list with the Secretary of State pursuant to this title, impose a penalty in the amount of $50 for the failure of the charitable organization to file the information and financial report required for registration as required pursuant to subsection 2 of NRS 82A.100” | NRS § 82A.300 |
| New Jersey (NJ) | New Jersey ($10K first / $20K each additional violation)“liable for a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for the first violation of this act” | N.J.S.A. §45:17A-33(d) (Charitable Registration and Investigation Act) |
| New Mexico (NM) | New Mexico (AG injunctive relief and restitution per § 57-22-9(B); civil penalty of $5,000 per violation per § 57-22-9.1(J); $100 late filing fee per § 57-22-6(D))“In an action brought pursuant to the Charitable Solicitations Act, if the court finds that a person has violated a provision of that act or rules promulgated pursuant to that act, the attorney general may recover, on behalf of the state, a maximum civil penalty of five thousand dollars ($5,000) per violation.” | NMSA 1978 § 57-22-9, § 57-22-9.1(J) |
| Texas (TX) | Texas (no general registration; $500/violation under §17.926 for for-profit collectors + DTPA fraud remedies)“In addition to the request for a temporary restraining order, or permanent injunction in a proceeding brought under Subsection (a) of this section, the consumer protection division may request, and the trier of fact may award, a civil penalty to be paid to the state in an amount of: (1) not more than $10,000 per violation; and (2) if the act or practice that is the subject of the proceeding was calculated to acquire or deprive money or other property from a consumer who was 65 years of age or older when the act or practice occurred, an additional amount of not more than $250,000.” | Tex. Bus. & Com. Code §17.47(c) |
| Vermont (VT) | Vermont (Consumer Protection Act civil up to $10,000 per unfair/deceptive act per § 2458; up to $1M for unfair competition methods)“A civil penalty of not more than $10,000.00 for each unfair or deceptive” | Vermont Stat. Title 9 § 2458 |
| Wyoming (WY) | Wyoming (Consumer Protection Act civil up to $10,000 per willful violation per § 40-12-113)“Except as provided in W.S. 40-12-111, any person or agent or employee of the person, who willfully uses, or has willfully used, a method or act, in violation of this act, is liable for a civil penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) for each violation. Willful violations occur when the person knew or should have known that the person's conduct was unfair or deceptive.” | Wyoming Stat. § 40-12-113 |
Not yet classified (6)
No quote that we cite names the criminal grade yet.
| Jurisdiction | Mechanism | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska (AK) | Alaska (civil penalty $1,000–$25,000 per violation; class A misdemeanor for paid solicitation without registration)“a civil penalty of not less than $1,000 and not more than $25,000 for each violation” | Alaska Stat. §45.68 + §45.50.471 |
| Arkansas (AR) | Arkansas (DTPA: a violation of the 1999 Act is an unfair and deceptive act; AG remedies)“It is an unlawful practice for any person to solicit or request” | A.C.A. § 4-28-416 |
| District of Columbia (DC) | District of Columbia (up to $500 fine / up to 60 days jail)“Any person violating any provision of this chapter, or regulation made pursuant thereto, or filing, or causing to be filed, an application or report pursuant to this chapter, or regulation made pursuant thereto, containing any false or fraudulent statement, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500, or by imprisonment of not more than 60 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.” | D.C. Code §44-1712(a) |
| Georgia (GA) | Georgia (civil penalty up to $10,000 for a single willful violation / $100,000 multiple; SB 412)“to a maximum of $2,500.00 $10,000.00 for a single violation or up to $5,000.00” | O.C.G.A. §§43-17-13, 43-17-19, 43-17-23 (Charitable Solicitations Act of 1988) |
| Louisiana (LA) | Louisiana (Deceptive Practices in Soliciting Charitable Contributions: not more than $5,000 first offense; $10,000 subsequent per R.S. 51:1909.1(D))“Whoever violates any provision of this Chapter shall, after a hearing in a court of competent jurisdiction, be fined not more than five thousand dollars for the first offense and not more than ten thousand dollars for any subsequent offense and shall also be subject to the civil penalties, including injunctive relief, contained in the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.” | R.S. 51:1909.1 |
| Massachusetts (MA) | Massachusetts ($50/day after 30-day notice; $10K cap)“A public charity, or an officer or agent of a public charity, who willfully makes, executes or files a report false in any material representation shall be punished by a fine of not more than $5,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or by both such fine and imprisonment.” | M.G.L. c.12 §8F |
Buckets come from two decided values on each row. The first is the highest criminal grade that the cited statute gives a violation, including an intentional breach of a court or agency order made under that statute. The second is who that grade reaches: the organization, paid solicitors, or both. A criminal grade that reaches only paid solicitors leaves the organization in the civil bucket, with a note on the row. Some felony and misdemeanor rows have a penalty quote that does not name the grade. Those rows also print a second quote that names the grade, with a link to the source of that quote. For the full citation, click the source link or the state name.
See also: /coverage for our data on each state, and /change-log for the dated changes to state facts.