Maine criminal charge
Endangering welfare of dependent person in Maine
Endangering welfare of dependent person is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 555. 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. § 555.
What is the penalty for endangering welfare of dependent person in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Reckless endangerment of dependent person's welfare — The person recklessly endangers the health, safety or mental welfare of a dependent 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 (Reckless endangerment of dependent person's welfare — The person recklessly endangers the health, safety or mental welfare of a dependent 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 5 years (Intentional or knowing endangerment of dependent person's welfare — The person intentionally or knowingly endangers the health, safety or mental welfare of a dependent 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 (Intentional or knowing endangerment of dependent person's welfare — The person intentionally or knowingly endangers the health, safety or mental welfare of a dependent 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 |
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Reckless infringement of dependent person's rights of association — The person recklessly infringes on a dependent person's rights of association for the purpose of establishing or maintaining undue influence over 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 (Reckless infringement of dependent person's rights of association — The person recklessly infringes on a dependent person's rights of association for the purpose of establishing or maintaining undue influence over 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 5 years (Intentional or knowing infringement of dependent person's rights of association — The person intentionally or knowingly infringes on a dependent person's rights of association for the purpose of establishing or maintaining undue influence over that 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 (Intentional or knowing infringement of dependent person's rights of association — The person intentionally or knowingly infringes on a dependent person's rights of association for the purpose of establishing or maintaining undue influence over that 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 endangering welfare of dependent person classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reckless endangerment of dependent person's welfare | Class D Crime | The person recklessly endangers the health, safety or mental welfare of a dependent person. | 17-A M.R.S. § 555(1)(A) |
| Intentional or knowing endangerment of dependent person's welfare | Class C Crime | The person intentionally or knowingly endangers the health, safety or mental welfare of a dependent person. | 17-A M.R.S. § 555(1)(B) |
| Reckless infringement of dependent person's rights of association | Class D Crime | The person recklessly infringes on a dependent person's rights of association for the purpose of establishing or maintaining undue influence over that person. | 17-A M.R.S. § 555(1)(C) |
| Intentional or knowing infringement of dependent person's rights of association | Class C Crime | The person intentionally or knowingly infringes on a dependent person's rights of association for the purpose of establishing or maintaining undue influence over that person. | 17-A M.R.S. § 555(1)(D) |
Common questions about endangering welfare of dependent person in Maine
What class of crime is endangering welfare of dependent person in Maine?
It depends on the circumstances: endangering welfare of dependent person ranges from a Class D Crime to a Class C Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 555.
Reckless endangerment of dependent person's welfare: Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 555(1)(A)) · Intentional or knowing endangerment of dependent person's welfare: Class C Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 555(1)(B)) · Reckless infringement of dependent person's rights of association: Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 555(1)(C)) · Intentional or knowing infringement of dependent person's rights of association: Class C Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 555(1)(D))
What are the penalties for endangering welfare of dependent person in Maine?
Penalties for endangering welfare of dependent person in Maine depend on how it is classified — from a Class D 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 endangering welfare of dependent person?
Endangering welfare of dependent person is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 555 (Endangering welfare of dependent person).
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.