Maine criminal charge
Engaging person for prostitution in Maine
Engaging person for prostitution is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 853-B. 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. § 853-B.
What is the penalty for engaging person for prostitution in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Engaging person for prostitution (first offense) — The person engages a person for prostitution within the meaning of section 851, subsection 1-A.; 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 (Engaging person for prostitution (first offense) — The person engages a person for prostitution within the meaning of section 851, subsection 1-A.; 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 364 days (Engaging person for prostitution (repeat offense) — The person violates paragraph A and has one or more prior convictions under this section or for substantially similar conduct in another jurisdiction within 2 years preceding the offense.; 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 (Engaging person for prostitution (repeat offense) — The person violates paragraph A and has one or more prior convictions under this section or for substantially similar conduct in another jurisdiction within 2 years preceding the offense.; 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 engaging person for prostitution classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engaging person for prostitution (first offense) | Class E Crime | The person engages a person for prostitution within the meaning of section 851, subsection 1-A. | 17-A M.R.S. § 853-B(1)(A) |
| Engaging person for prostitution (repeat offense) | Class D Crime | The person violates paragraph A and has one or more prior convictions under this section or for substantially similar conduct in another jurisdiction within 2 years preceding the offense. | 17-A M.R.S. § 853-B(1)(B) |
Common questions about engaging person for prostitution in Maine
What class of crime is engaging person for prostitution in Maine?
It depends on the circumstances: engaging person for prostitution ranges from a Class E Crime to a Class D Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 853-B.
Engaging person for prostitution (first offense): Class E Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 853-B(1)(A)) · Engaging person for prostitution (repeat offense): Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 853-B(1)(B))
What are the penalties for engaging person for prostitution in Maine?
Penalties for engaging person for prostitution 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 engaging person for prostitution?
Engaging person for prostitution is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 853-B (Engaging person for prostitution).
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.