Maine criminal charge
Criminal use of laser pointers in Maine
Criminal use of laser pointers is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 1002-A. 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. § 1002-A.
What is the penalty for criminal use of laser pointers in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Causing bodily injury — Applies when pointing the laser pointer at another person causes bodily injury to that 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 (Causing bodily injury — Applies when pointing the laser pointer at another person causes bodily injury to that 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 364 days (Pointing at uniformed officer — Applies when the other person is a law enforcement officer, transport officer, corrections officer or corrections supervisor in uniform.; 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 (Pointing at uniformed officer — Applies when the other person is a law enforcement officer, transport officer, corrections officer or corrections supervisor in uniform.; 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 (Causing intimidation, annoyance or alarm — Applies when the conduct causes a reasonable person to suffer intimidation, annoyance or alarm.; 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 (Causing intimidation, annoyance or alarm — Applies when the conduct causes a reasonable person to suffer intimidation, annoyance or alarm.; 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 use of laser pointers classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Causing bodily injury | Class D Crime | Applies when pointing the laser pointer at another person causes bodily injury to that person. | 17-A M.R.S. § 1002-A(1)(A) |
| Pointing at uniformed officer | Class D Crime | Applies when the other person is a law enforcement officer, transport officer, corrections officer or corrections supervisor in uniform. | 17-A M.R.S. § 1002-A(1)(B) |
| Causing intimidation, annoyance or alarm | Class E Crime | Applies when the conduct causes a reasonable person to suffer intimidation, annoyance or alarm. | 17-A M.R.S. § 1002-A(1)(C) |
Common questions about criminal use of laser pointers in Maine
What class of crime is criminal use of laser pointers in Maine?
It depends on the circumstances: criminal use of laser pointers ranges from a Class E Crime to a Class D Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 1002-A.
Causing bodily injury: Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 1002-A(1)(A)) · Pointing at uniformed officer: Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 1002-A(1)(B)) · Causing intimidation, annoyance or alarm: Class E Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 1002-A(1)(C))
What are the penalties for criminal use of laser pointers in Maine?
Penalties for criminal use of laser pointers 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 use of laser pointers?
Criminal use of laser pointers is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 1002-A (Criminal use of laser pointers).
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.