Maine criminal charge
Assault in Maine
Assault is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 207. 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. § 207.
What is the penalty for assault in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Assault causing bodily injury or offensive physical contact — The person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury or offensive physical contact to another person.; the statutory maximum is 'less than one year' (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(D)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $2,000 (Assault causing bodily injury or offensive physical contact — The person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury or offensive physical contact to another person.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(4)); organizations up to $10,000 (§1705); statute-specific fines may differ) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Assault on a child under 6 by an adult — The person has attained at least 18 years of age and intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another person who is less than 6 years of age.; 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 (Assault on a child under 6 by an adult — The person has attained at least 18 years of age and intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another person who is less than 6 years of age.; 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 assault classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assault causing bodily injury or offensive physical contact | Class D Crime | The person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury or offensive physical contact to another person. | 17-A M.R.S. § 207(1)(A) |
| Assault on a child under 6 by an adult | Class C Crime | The person has attained at least 18 years of age and intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another person who is less than 6 years of age. | 17-A M.R.S. § 207(1)(B) |
Common questions about assault in Maine
What class of crime is assault in Maine?
It depends on the circumstances: assault ranges from a Class D Crime to a Class C Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 207.
Assault causing bodily injury or offensive physical contact: Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 207(1)(A)) · Assault on a child under 6 by an adult: Class C Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 207(1)(B))
What are the penalties for assault in Maine?
Penalties for assault in Maine depend on how it is classified — from a Class D Crime up to a Class C 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 assault?
Assault is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 207 (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.