Maine criminal charge
Indecent conduct in Maine
Indecent conduct is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 854. 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. § 854.
What is the penalty for indecent conduct in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Indecent conduct in a private place directed at public/private view — In a private place, the actor exposes genitals intending to be seen from a public place or another private place.; 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 (Indecent conduct in a private place directed at public/private view — In a private place, the actor exposes genitals intending to be seen from a public place or another private place.; 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 (Indecent conduct in a private place directed at person in that place — In a private place, the actor exposes genitals intending to be seen by another person in that private place under circumstances the actor knows are likely to cause affront or alarm.; 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 (Indecent conduct in a private place directed at person in that place — In a private place, the actor exposes genitals intending to be seen by another person in that private place under circumstances the actor knows are likely to cause affront or alarm.; 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 (Repeat indecent conduct (public/private view exposure) with prior convictions — The actor violates paragraph B and has 2 or more prior qualifying convictions for indecent conduct or sexual misconduct with a child or similar out-of-state conduct.; 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 (Repeat indecent conduct (public/private view exposure) with prior convictions — The actor violates paragraph B and has 2 or more prior qualifying convictions for indecent conduct or sexual misconduct with a child or similar out-of-state conduct.; 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 (Repeat indecent conduct (exposure to person present) with prior convictions — The actor violates paragraph C and has 2 or more prior qualifying convictions for indecent conduct or sexual misconduct with a child or similar out-of-state conduct.; 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 (Repeat indecent conduct (exposure to person present) with prior convictions — The actor violates paragraph C and has 2 or more prior qualifying convictions for indecent conduct or sexual misconduct with a child or similar out-of-state conduct.; 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 indecent conduct classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indecent conduct in a private place directed at public/private view | Class E Crime | In a private place, the actor exposes genitals intending to be seen from a public place or another private place. | 17-A M.R.S. § 854(1)(B) |
| Indecent conduct in a private place directed at person in that place | Class E Crime | In a private place, the actor exposes genitals intending to be seen by another person in that private place under circumstances the actor knows are likely to cause affront or alarm. | 17-A M.R.S. § 854(1)(C) |
| Repeat indecent conduct (public/private view exposure) with prior convictions | Class D Crime | The actor violates paragraph B and has 2 or more prior qualifying convictions for indecent conduct or sexual misconduct with a child or similar out-of-state conduct. | 17-A M.R.S. § 854(1)(D) |
| Repeat indecent conduct (exposure to person present) with prior convictions | Class D Crime | The actor violates paragraph C and has 2 or more prior qualifying convictions for indecent conduct or sexual misconduct with a child or similar out-of-state conduct. | 17-A M.R.S. § 854(1)(E) |
Common questions about indecent conduct in Maine
What class of crime is indecent conduct in Maine?
It depends on the circumstances: indecent conduct ranges from a Class E Crime to a Class D Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 854.
Indecent conduct in a private place directed at public/private view: Class E Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 854(1)(B)) · Indecent conduct in a private place directed at person in that place: Class E Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 854(1)(C)) · Repeat indecent conduct (public/private view exposure) with prior convictions: Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 854(1)(D)) · Repeat indecent conduct (exposure to person present) with prior convictions: Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 854(1)(E))
What are the penalties for indecent conduct in Maine?
Penalties for indecent conduct 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 indecent conduct?
Indecent conduct is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 854 (Indecent conduct).
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.