Maine criminal charge
Forgery in Maine
Forgery is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 703. 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. § 703.
What is the penalty for forgery in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Forgery — false making, completing, endorsing, or altering a written instrument — A person falsely makes, completes, endorses, or alters a written instrument, or knowingly utters or possesses such an instrument, with intent to defraud or deceive.; 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 (Forgery — false making, completing, endorsing, or altering a written instrument — A person falsely makes, completes, endorses, or alters a written instrument, or knowingly utters or possesses such an instrument, with intent to defraud or deceive.; 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 (Forgery — causing another to sign or execute by deception — A person causes another, by deception, to sign or execute a written instrument, or utters such an instrument, with intent to defraud or deceive.; 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 (Forgery — causing another to sign or execute by deception — A person causes another, by deception, to sign or execute a written instrument, or utters such an instrument, with intent to defraud or deceive.; 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 forgery classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forgery — false making, completing, endorsing, or altering a written instrument | Class D Crime | A person falsely makes, completes, endorses, or alters a written instrument, or knowingly utters or possesses such an instrument, with intent to defraud or deceive. | 17-A M.R.S. § 703(1)(A) |
| Forgery — causing another to sign or execute by deception | Class D Crime | A person causes another, by deception, to sign or execute a written instrument, or utters such an instrument, with intent to defraud or deceive. | 17-A M.R.S. § 703(1)(B) |
Common questions about forgery in Maine
What class of crime is forgery in Maine?
Forgery is a Class D Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 703.
Forgery — false making, completing, endorsing, or altering a written instrument: Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 703(1)(A)) · Forgery — causing another to sign or execute by deception: Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 703(1)(B))
What are the penalties for forgery in Maine?
Penalties for forgery 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 forgery?
Forgery is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 703 (Forgery).
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.