Maine criminal charge
Burglary of motor vehicle in Maine
Burglary of motor vehicle is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 405. 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. § 405.
What is the penalty for burglary of motor vehicle in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Burglary of motor vehicle - basic entry — The person enters a motor vehicle, knowing they are not licensed or privileged to do so, with intent to commit a crime therein.; 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 (Burglary of motor vehicle - basic entry — The person enters a motor vehicle, 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(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 (Burglary of motor vehicle - forcible entry of locked vehicle — The person violates paragraph A and forcibly enters a motor vehicle that is locked.; 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 (Burglary of motor vehicle - forcible entry of locked vehicle — The person violates paragraph A and forcibly enters a motor vehicle that is locked.; 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 of motor vehicle classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burglary of motor vehicle - basic entry | Class D Crime | The person enters a motor vehicle, knowing they are not licensed or privileged to do so, with intent to commit a crime therein. | 17-A M.R.S. § 405(1)(A) |
| Burglary of motor vehicle - forcible entry of locked vehicle | Class C Crime | The person violates paragraph A and forcibly enters a motor vehicle that is locked. | 17-A M.R.S. § 405(1)(B) |
Common questions about burglary of motor vehicle in Maine
What class of crime is burglary of motor vehicle in Maine?
It depends on the circumstances: burglary of motor vehicle ranges from a Class D Crime to a Class C Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 405.
Burglary of motor vehicle - basic entry: Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 405(1)(A)) · Burglary of motor vehicle - forcible entry of locked vehicle: Class C Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 405(1)(B))
What are the penalties for burglary of motor vehicle in Maine?
Penalties for burglary of motor vehicle 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 burglary of motor vehicle?
Burglary of motor vehicle is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 405 (Burglary of motor vehicle).
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.