Section 55.301 - Automatic revocation; violation as felony; notification of conviction(1) If an individual commissioned as a notary public in this state is convicted of a felony or of a substantially corresponding violation of another state, the secretary shall automatically revoke the notary public commission of that individual on the date that the individual's felony conviction is entered.(2) If an individual commissioned as a notary public in this state is convicted of 2 or more specified misdemeanors within a 12-month period while commissioned, or of 3 or more specified misdemeanors within a 5-year period regardless of being commissioned, the secretary shall automatically revoke the notary public commission of that individual on the date that the secretary determines the misdemeanor of which the individual was convicted is a specified misdemeanor. As used in this subsection, "specified misdemeanor" means a misdemeanor that the secretary determines involves any of the following: (a) A violation of this act.(b) A violation of the public trust.(c) An act of official misconduct, dishonesty, fraud, or deceit.(d) An act substantially related to the duties or responsibilities of a notary public.(3) If an individual commissioned as a notary public in this state is sentenced to a term of imprisonment in a state correctional facility or jail in this or any other state or in a federal correctional facility, his or her commission as a notary public is revoked automatically on the day on which he or she begins serving the sentence in the jail or correctional facility. If an individual's commission as a notary public is revoked because he or she begins serving a term of imprisonment and he or she performs or attempts to perform a notarial act while imprisoned, he or she is not eligible to receive a commission as a notary public for at least 10 years after he or she completes his or her term of imprisonment.(4) An individual found guilty of performing a notarial act after his or her commission as a notary public is revoked under this section is guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of not more than $3,000.00 or by imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or both.(5) An individual, regardless of whether he or she has ever been commissioned as a notary public, who is convicted of a felony is disqualified from being commissioned as a notary public for not less than 10 years after he or she completes his or her sentence for that crime, including any term of imprisonment, parole, or probation, and pays all fines, costs, and assessments. As used in this section, a "felony" means a violation of a penal law of this state, another state, or the United States for which the offender, if convicted, may be punished by death or imprisonment for more than 1 year or an offense expressly designated by law as a felony.(6) If an individual is convicted of a violation described in subsection (5), the court shall make a determination of whether he or she is a notary. If the individual is a notary, the court shall inform the secretary of the conviction.(7) If an individual commissioned as a notary public in this state is convicted of any felony or misdemeanor in any court, he or she shall notify the secretary in writing of the conviction within 10 days after the date of that conviction.Amended by 2012, Act 425,s 1, eff. 12/21/2012.Added by 2003, Act 238, s 23, eff. 4/1/2004.