Maine criminal charge
Harassment in Maine
Harassment is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 506-A. 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. § 506-A.
What is the penalty for harassment in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Harassment with 2 or more prior convictions — A person violates paragraph A and at the time of the harassment has 2 or more prior Maine convictions under this section involving the same victim, a member of the victim's immediate family, or substantially similar conduct in another jurisdiction.; 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 (Harassment with 2 or more prior convictions — A person violates paragraph A and at the time of the harassment has 2 or more prior Maine convictions under this section involving the same victim, a member of the victim's immediate family, or substantially similar conduct in another jurisdiction.; 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 harassment classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harassment with 2 or more prior convictions | Class C Crime | A person violates paragraph A and at the time of the harassment has 2 or more prior Maine convictions under this section involving the same victim, a member of the victim's immediate family, or substantially similar conduct in another jurisdiction. | 17-A M.R.S. § 506-A(1)(B) |
Common questions about harassment in Maine
What class of crime is harassment in Maine?
Harassment is a Class C Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 506-A.
Harassment with 2 or more prior convictions: Class C Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 506-A(1)(B))
What are the penalties for harassment in Maine?
Penalties for harassment in Maine depend on how it is classified — from a Class C 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 harassment?
Harassment is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 506-A (Harassment).
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.