Maine criminal charge
Criminal solicitation in Maine
Criminal solicitation is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 153. 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. § 153.
What is the penalty for criminal solicitation in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 30 years (Solicitation to commit murder — Applies when the person solicits another to commit murder.; 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 (Solicitation to commit murder — Applies when the person solicits another to commit murder.; 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 (Solicitation to commit a Class A crime — Applies when the person solicits another to commit a Class A crime (other than murder).; 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 (Solicitation to commit a Class A crime — Applies when the person solicits another to commit a Class A crime (other than murder).; 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 (Solicitation to commit a Class B crime — Applies when the person solicits another to commit a Class B crime.; 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 (Solicitation to commit a Class B crime — Applies when the person solicits another to commit a Class B crime.; 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 criminal solicitation classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solicitation to commit murder | Class A Crime | Applies when the person solicits another to commit murder. | 17-A M.R.S. § 153(1)(A) |
| Solicitation to commit a Class A crime | Class B Crime | Applies when the person solicits another to commit a Class A crime (other than murder). | 17-A M.R.S. § 153(1)(B) |
| Solicitation to commit a Class B crime | Class C Crime | Applies when the person solicits another to commit a Class B crime. | 17-A M.R.S. § 153(1)(C) |
Common questions about criminal solicitation in Maine
What class of crime is criminal solicitation in Maine?
It depends on the circumstances: criminal solicitation ranges from a Class C Crime to a Class A Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 153.
Solicitation to commit murder: Class A Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 153(1)(A)) · Solicitation to commit a Class A crime: Class B Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 153(1)(B)) · Solicitation to commit a Class B crime: Class C Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 153(1)(C))
What are the penalties for criminal solicitation in Maine?
Penalties for criminal solicitation in Maine depend on how it is classified — from a Class C 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 criminal solicitation?
Criminal solicitation is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 153 (Criminal solicitation).
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.