Maine criminal charge
Criminal trespass in Maine
Criminal trespass is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 402. 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. § 402.
What is the penalty for criminal trespass in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Entering a dwelling place — Knowingly entering any dwelling place without license or privilege.; 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 (Entering a dwelling place — Knowingly entering any dwelling place without license or privilege.; 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 6 months (Entering a locked or barred structure — Knowingly entering any structure that is locked or barred without license or privilege.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(E)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Entering a locked or barred structure — Knowingly entering any structure that is locked or barred without license or privilege.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(5)); organizations up to $10,000 (§1705); statute-specific fines may differ) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Entering excludable posted, fenced, or enclosed place — Knowingly entering a place from which the person may lawfully be excluded that is posted, fenced, or otherwise enclosed to exclude intruders.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(E)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Entering excludable posted, fenced, or enclosed place — Knowingly entering a place from which the person may lawfully be excluded that is posted, fenced, or otherwise enclosed to exclude intruders.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(5)); organizations up to $10,000 (§1705); statute-specific fines may differ) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Remaining after order to leave — Remaining in a place after being personally ordered to leave by the owner or authorized person.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(E)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Remaining after order to leave — Remaining in a place after being personally ordered to leave by the owner or authorized person.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(5)); organizations up to $10,000 (§1705); statute-specific fines may differ) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Entering after order not to enter — Entering a place in defiance of a personally communicated lawful order not to enter.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(E)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Entering after order not to enter — Entering a place in defiance of a personally communicated lawful order not to enter.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(5)); organizations up to $10,000 (§1705); statute-specific fines may differ) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Entering or remaining in cemetery during prohibited hours — Entering or remaining in a cemetery or burial ground between 1/2 hour after sunset and 1/2 hour before sunrise outside permitted visiting hours.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(E)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Entering or remaining in cemetery during prohibited hours — Entering or remaining in a cemetery or burial ground between 1/2 hour after sunset and 1/2 hour before sunrise outside permitted visiting hours.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(5)); organizations up to $10,000 (§1705); statute-specific fines may differ) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
Applies to current (PL 2019, c. 113 recodification).
How is criminal trespass classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering a dwelling place | Class D Crime | Knowingly entering any dwelling place without license or privilege. | 17-A M.R.S. § 402(1)(A) |
| Entering a locked or barred structure | Class E Crime | Knowingly entering any structure that is locked or barred without license or privilege. | 17-A M.R.S. § 402(1)(B) |
| Entering excludable posted, fenced, or enclosed place | Class E Crime | Knowingly entering a place from which the person may lawfully be excluded that is posted, fenced, or otherwise enclosed to exclude intruders. | 17-A M.R.S. § 402(1)(C) |
| Remaining after order to leave | Class E Crime | Remaining in a place after being personally ordered to leave by the owner or authorized person. | 17-A M.R.S. § 402(1)(D) |
| Entering after order not to enter | Class E Crime | Entering a place in defiance of a personally communicated lawful order not to enter. | 17-A M.R.S. § 402(1)(E) |
| Entering or remaining in cemetery during prohibited hours | Class E Crime | Entering or remaining in a cemetery or burial ground between 1/2 hour after sunset and 1/2 hour before sunrise outside permitted visiting hours. | 17-A M.R.S. § 402(1)(F) |
Common questions about criminal trespass in Maine
What class of crime is criminal trespass in Maine?
It depends on the circumstances: criminal trespass ranges from a Class E Crime to a Class D Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 402.
Entering a dwelling place: Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 402(1)(A)) · Entering a locked or barred structure: Class E Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 402(1)(B)) · Entering excludable posted, fenced, or enclosed place: Class E Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 402(1)(C)) · Remaining after order to leave: Class E Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 402(1)(D)) · Entering after order not to enter: Class E Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 402(1)(E)) · Entering or remaining in cemetery during prohibited hours: Class E Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 402(1)(F))
What are the penalties for criminal trespass in Maine?
Penalties for criminal trespass in Maine depend on how it is classified — from a Class E Crime up to a Class D 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 trespass?
Criminal trespass is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 402 (Criminal trespass).
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.