Maine criminal charge
Aggravated assault in Maine
Aggravated assault is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 208. Its classification is not fixed: Maine assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 208.
What is the penalty for aggravated assault in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 10 years (Bodily injury creating substantial risk of death or extended convalescence — Applies when the person causes bodily injury to another that creates a substantial risk of death or extended convalescence necessary for recovery of physical health.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(B)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum, and mandatory minimums apply to certain crimes (§1604(3))) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $20,000 (Bodily injury creating substantial risk of death or extended convalescence — Applies when the person causes bodily injury to another that creates a substantial risk of death or extended convalescence necessary for recovery of physical health.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(2)); organizations up to $40,000 (§1705); statute-specific and alternative fines may exceed (§1706)) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Jail / prison | up to 30 years (Bodily injury causing serious permanent disfigurement or impairment — Applies when the person causes bodily injury to another that causes serious, permanent disfigurement or loss or substantial impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(A)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum, and mandatory minimums apply to certain crimes (e.g. use of a firearm against an individual, §1604(3))) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $50,000 (Bodily injury causing serious permanent disfigurement or impairment — Applies when the person causes bodily injury to another that causes serious, permanent disfigurement or loss or substantial impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(1)); organizations up to $100,000 (§1705); statute-specific and alternative fines may exceed (§1706)) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Jail / prison | up to 10 years (Bodily injury with use of a dangerous weapon — Applies when the person causes bodily injury to another with use of a dangerous weapon.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(B)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum, and mandatory minimums apply to certain crimes (§1604(3))) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $20,000 (Bodily injury with use of a dangerous weapon — Applies when the person causes bodily injury to another with use of a dangerous weapon.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(2)); organizations up to $40,000 (§1705); statute-specific and alternative fines may exceed (§1706)) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Jail / prison | up to 10 years (Bodily injury under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to human life — Applies when the person causes bodily injury to another under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life, including factors such as number, location or nature of injuries, manner or method inflicted, observable physical condition of the victim, or use of strangulation.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(B)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum, and mandatory minimums apply to certain crimes (§1604(3))) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $20,000 (Bodily injury under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to human life — Applies when the person causes bodily injury to another under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life, including factors such as number, location or nature of injuries, manner or method inflicted, observable physical condition of the victim, or use of strangulation.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(2)); organizations up to $40,000 (§1705); statute-specific and alternative fines may exceed (§1706)) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
Applies to current (PL 2019, c. 113 recodification).
How is aggravated assault classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury creating substantial risk of death or extended convalescence | Class B Crime | Applies when the person causes bodily injury to another that creates a substantial risk of death or extended convalescence necessary for recovery of physical health. | 17-A M.R.S. § 208(1)(A) |
| Bodily injury causing serious permanent disfigurement or impairment | Class A Crime | Applies when the person causes bodily injury to another that causes serious, permanent disfigurement or loss or substantial impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ. | 17-A M.R.S. § 208(1)(A-1) |
| Bodily injury with use of a dangerous weapon | Class B Crime | Applies when the person causes bodily injury to another with use of a dangerous weapon. | 17-A M.R.S. § 208(1)(B) |
| Bodily injury under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to human life | Class B Crime | Applies when the person causes bodily injury to another under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life, including factors such as number, location or nature of injuries, manner or method inflicted, observable physical condition of the victim, or use of strangulation. | 17-A M.R.S. § 208(1)(C) |
Common questions about aggravated assault in Maine
What class of crime is aggravated assault in Maine?
It depends on the circumstances: aggravated assault ranges from a Class B Crime to a Class A Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 208.
Bodily injury creating substantial risk of death or extended convalescence: Class B Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 208(1)(A)) · Bodily injury causing serious permanent disfigurement or impairment: Class A Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 208(1)(A-1)) · Bodily injury with use of a dangerous weapon: Class B Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 208(1)(B)) · Bodily injury under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to human life: Class B Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 208(1)(C))
What are the penalties for aggravated assault in Maine?
Penalties for aggravated assault in Maine depend on how it is classified — from a Class B Crime up to a Class A Crime — with the ranges set by 17-A M.R.S. § 1604; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Maine statute covers aggravated assault?
Aggravated assault is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 208 (Aggravated assault).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.