Maine criminal charge
Driving to endanger in Maine
Driving to endanger is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 29-A M.R.S. § 2413. 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 29-A M.R.S. § 2413.
What is the penalty for driving to endanger in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Driving to endanger (base offense) — A person with criminal negligence drives a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers property or a person, including occupants of the vehicle.; 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 (Driving to endanger (base offense) — A person with criminal negligence drives a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers property or a person, including occupants of the vehicle.; 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 5 years (Driving to endanger causing serious bodily injury — A person with criminal negligence drives a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers property or a person and causes serious bodily injury to another person.; 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 (Driving to endanger causing serious bodily injury — A person with criminal negligence drives a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers property or a person and causes serious bodily injury to another person.; 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 driving to endanger classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driving to endanger (base offense) | Class E Crime | A person with criminal negligence drives a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers property or a person, including occupants of the vehicle. | 29-A M.R.S. § 2413(1) |
| Driving to endanger causing serious bodily injury | Class C Crime | A person with criminal negligence drives a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers property or a person and causes serious bodily injury to another person. | 29-A M.R.S. § 2413(1-A) |
Common questions about driving to endanger in Maine
What class of crime is driving to endanger in Maine?
It depends on the circumstances: driving to endanger ranges from a Class E Crime to a Class C Crime in Maine under 29-A M.R.S. § 2413.
Driving to endanger (base offense): Class E Crime (29-A M.R.S. § 2413(1)) · Driving to endanger causing serious bodily injury: Class C Crime (29-A M.R.S. § 2413(1-A))
What are the penalties for driving to endanger in Maine?
Penalties for driving to endanger in Maine depend on how it is classified — from a Class E 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 driving to endanger?
Driving to endanger is governed by 29-A M.R.S. § 2413 (Driving to endanger).
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.