Maine criminal charge
Burglary in Maine
Burglary is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 401. 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. § 401.
What is the penalty for burglary in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Basic burglary — The person enters or surreptitiously remains in a structure knowing they are not licensed or privileged to do so, with intent to commit a crime therein.; 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 (Basic burglary — The person enters or surreptitiously remains in a structure knowing they are not licensed or privileged to do so, with intent to commit a crime therein.; 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 burglary classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic burglary | Class C Crime | The person enters or surreptitiously remains in a structure knowing they are not licensed or privileged to do so, with intent to commit a crime therein. | 17-A M.R.S. § 401(1)(A) |
Common questions about burglary in Maine
What class of crime is burglary in Maine?
Burglary is a Class C Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 401.
Basic burglary: Class C Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 401(1)(A))
What are the penalties for burglary in Maine?
Penalties for burglary in Maine depend on how it is classified — from a Class C 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 burglary?
Burglary is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 401 (Burglary).
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.