Maine criminal charge
Harassment by telephone or by electronic communication device in Maine
Harassment by telephone or by electronic communication device is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 506. 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.
What is the penalty for harassment by telephone or by electronic communication device in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Sending sexual images/videos after notice of non-consent — When a person sends an image or video of a sexual act or genitals after being notified that the recipient does not consent to receiving such images.; 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 (Sending sexual images/videos after notice of non-consent — When a person sends an image or video of a sexual act or genitals after being notified that the recipient does not consent to receiving such images.; 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 6 months (Anonymous call/contact with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass — When a person makes a call or contact without disclosing identity and with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass the recipient.; 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 (Anonymous call/contact with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass — When a person makes a call or contact without disclosing identity and with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass the recipient.; 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 6 months (Causing repeated ringing/activation with intent to harass — When a person causes another's telephone or electronic device to repeatedly or continuously ring, activate, or receive data with intent to harass.; 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 (Causing repeated ringing/activation with intent to harass — When a person causes another's telephone or electronic device to repeatedly or continuously ring, activate, or receive data with intent to harass.; 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 6 months (Repeated calls/contacts with conversation and intent to harass — When a person makes repeated calls or contacts during which conversation ensues, with intent to harass.; 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 (Repeated calls/contacts with conversation and intent to harass — When a person makes repeated calls or contacts during which conversation ensues, with intent to harass.; 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 6 months (Knowingly permitting device to be used for prohibited purpose — When a person knowingly permits a telephone or electronic communication device under their control to be used for a purpose prohibited by this section.; 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 (Knowingly permitting device to be used for prohibited purpose — When a person knowingly permits a telephone or electronic communication device under their control to be used for a purpose prohibited by this section.; 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 |
Applies to current (PL 2019, c. 113 recodification).
How is harassment by telephone or by electronic communication device classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sending sexual images/videos after notice of non-consent | Class E Crime | When a person sends an image or video of a sexual act or genitals after being notified that the recipient does not consent to receiving such images. | 17-A M.R.S. § 506(1)(A-2) |
| Anonymous call/contact with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass | Class E Crime | When a person makes a call or contact without disclosing identity and with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass the recipient. | 17-A M.R.S. § 506(1)(B) |
| Causing repeated ringing/activation with intent to harass | Class E Crime | When a person causes another's telephone or electronic device to repeatedly or continuously ring, activate, or receive data with intent to harass. | 17-A M.R.S. § 506(1)(C) |
| Repeated calls/contacts with conversation and intent to harass | Class E Crime | When a person makes repeated calls or contacts during which conversation ensues, with intent to harass. | 17-A M.R.S. § 506(1)(D) |
| Knowingly permitting device to be used for prohibited purpose | Class E Crime | When a person knowingly permits a telephone or electronic communication device under their control to be used for a purpose prohibited by this section. | 17-A M.R.S. § 506(1)(E) |
Common questions about harassment by telephone or by electronic communication device in Maine
What class of crime is harassment by telephone or by electronic communication device in Maine?
Harassment by telephone or by electronic communication device is a Class E Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 506.
Sending sexual images/videos after notice of non-consent: Class E Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 506(1)(A-2)) · Anonymous call/contact with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass: Class E Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 506(1)(B)) · Causing repeated ringing/activation with intent to harass: Class E Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 506(1)(C)) · Repeated calls/contacts with conversation and intent to harass: Class E Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 506(1)(D)) · Knowingly permitting device to be used for prohibited purpose: Class E Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 506(1)(E))
What are the penalties for harassment by telephone or by electronic communication device in Maine?
Penalties for harassment by telephone or by electronic communication device in Maine depend on how it is classified — from a Class E Crime up to a Class E 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 by telephone or by electronic communication device?
Harassment by telephone or by electronic communication device is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 506 (Harassment by telephone or by electronic communication device).
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.