Maine criminal charge
Aiding escape in Maine
Aiding escape is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 756. 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. § 756.
What is the penalty for aiding escape in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Conveying a tool or facilitating item — The person conveys or attempts to convey to another person any tool or other thing that may be used to facilitate a violation of section 755.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(C)); 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 $5,000 (Conveying a tool or facilitating item — The person conveys or attempts to convey to another person any tool or other thing that may be used to facilitate a violation of section 755.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(3)); organizations up to $20,000 (§1705); statute-specific and alternative fines may exceed (§1706)) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Jail / prison | up to 10 years (Conveying a dangerous weapon — The person conveys or attempts to convey to another person a dangerous weapon to facilitate a violation of section 755.; 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 (Conveying a dangerous weapon — The person conveys or attempts to convey to another person a dangerous weapon to facilitate a violation of section 755.; 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 5 years (Furnishing plans, information, or assistance — The person furnishes plans, information, or other assistance to another person to aid a violation of section 755.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(C)); 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 $5,000 (Furnishing plans, information, or assistance — The person furnishes plans, information, or other assistance to another person to aid a violation of section 755.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(3)); organizations up to $20,000 (§1705); statute-specific and alternative fines may exceed (§1706)) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Custodial official permitting escape — A person whose official duties include maintaining persons in official custody permits such a violation of section 755 or an attempt at such violation.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(C)); 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 $5,000 (Custodial official permitting escape — A person whose official duties include maintaining persons in official custody permits such a violation of section 755 or an attempt at such violation.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(3)); organizations up to $20,000 (§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 aiding escape classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conveying a tool or facilitating item | Class C Crime | The person conveys or attempts to convey to another person any tool or other thing that may be used to facilitate a violation of section 755. | 17-A M.R.S. § 756(1)(A) |
| Conveying a dangerous weapon | Class B Crime | The person conveys or attempts to convey to another person a dangerous weapon to facilitate a violation of section 755. | 17-A M.R.S. § 756(1)(A-1) |
| Furnishing plans, information, or assistance | Class C Crime | The person furnishes plans, information, or other assistance to another person to aid a violation of section 755. | 17-A M.R.S. § 756(1)(B) |
| Custodial official permitting escape | Class C Crime | A person whose official duties include maintaining persons in official custody permits such a violation of section 755 or an attempt at such violation. | 17-A M.R.S. § 756(1)(C) |
Common questions about aiding escape in Maine
What class of crime is aiding escape in Maine?
It depends on the circumstances: aiding escape ranges from a Class C Crime to a Class B Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 756.
Conveying a tool or facilitating item: Class C Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 756(1)(A)) · Conveying a dangerous weapon: Class B Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 756(1)(A-1)) · Furnishing plans, information, or assistance: Class C Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 756(1)(B)) · Custodial official permitting escape: Class C Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 756(1)(C))
What are the penalties for aiding escape in Maine?
Penalties for aiding escape in Maine depend on how it is classified — from a Class C Crime up to a Class B 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 aiding escape?
Aiding escape is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 756 (Aiding escape).
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.