Maine criminal charge
Endangering the welfare of a child in Maine
Endangering the welfare of a child is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 554. 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. § 554.
What is the penalty for endangering the welfare of a child in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Permitting child in house of prostitution — Knowingly permits a child to enter or remain in a house of prostitution.; 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 (Permitting child in house of prostitution — Knowingly permits a child to enter or remain in a house of prostitution.; 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 (Providing intoxicants, tobacco, firearms materials to minor — Knowingly sells, furnishes, gives away or offers to sell, furnish or give away to a child under 16 intoxicating liquor, tobacco products, air rifles, gunpowder, smokeless powder or ammunition for firearms.; 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 (Providing intoxicants, tobacco, firearms materials to minor — Knowingly sells, furnishes, gives away or offers to sell, furnish or give away to a child under 16 intoxicating liquor, tobacco products, air rifles, gunpowder, smokeless powder or ammunition for firearms.; 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 (Deprivation of necessary health care — Being the parent, foster parent, guardian, or custodian, knowingly deprives the child of necessary health care resulting in danger of serious harm.; 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 (Deprivation of necessary health care — Being the parent, foster parent, guardian, or custodian, knowingly deprives the child of necessary health care resulting in danger of serious harm.; 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 (Reckless endangerment via violation of duty of care — Otherwise recklessly endangers the health, safety or welfare of a child by violating a duty of care or protection.; 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 (Reckless endangerment via violation of duty of care — Otherwise recklessly endangers the health, safety or welfare of a child by violating a duty of care or protection.; 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 |
Applies to current (PL 2019, c. 113 recodification).
How is endangering the welfare of a child classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permitting child in house of prostitution | Class D Crime | Knowingly permits a child to enter or remain in a house of prostitution. | 17-A M.R.S. § 554(1)(A) |
| Providing intoxicants, tobacco, firearms materials to minor | Class D Crime | Knowingly sells, furnishes, gives away or offers to sell, furnish or give away to a child under 16 intoxicating liquor, tobacco products, air rifles, gunpowder, smokeless powder or ammunition for firearms. | 17-A M.R.S. § 554(1)(B) |
| Deprivation of necessary health care | Class D Crime | Being the parent, foster parent, guardian, or custodian, knowingly deprives the child of necessary health care resulting in danger of serious harm. | 17-A M.R.S. § 554(1)(B-3) |
| Reckless endangerment via violation of duty of care | Class D Crime | Otherwise recklessly endangers the health, safety or welfare of a child by violating a duty of care or protection. | 17-A M.R.S. § 554(1)(C) |
Common questions about endangering the welfare of a child in Maine
What class of crime is endangering the welfare of a child in Maine?
Endangering the welfare of a child is a Class D Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 554.
Permitting child in house of prostitution: Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 554(1)(A)) · Providing intoxicants, tobacco, firearms materials to minor: Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 554(1)(B)) · Deprivation of necessary health care: Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 554(1)(B-3)) · Reckless endangerment via violation of duty of care: Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 554(1)(C))
What are the penalties for endangering the welfare of a child in Maine?
Penalties for endangering the welfare of a child in Maine depend on how it is classified — from a Class D 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 endangering the welfare of a child?
Endangering the welfare of a child is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 554 (Endangering the welfare of a child).
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.