Maine criminal charge
Kidnapping in Maine
Kidnapping is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 301. 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. § 301.
What is the penalty for kidnapping in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 30 years (Kidnapping — Kidnapping as defined in subsection 1 is a Class A crime.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(A)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum, and mandatory minimums apply to certain crimes (e.g. use of a firearm against an individual, §1604(3))) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $50,000 (Kidnapping — Kidnapping as defined in subsection 1 is a Class A crime.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(1)); organizations up to $100,000 (§1705); statute-specific and alternative fines may exceed (§1706)) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Jail / prison | up to 10 years (Kidnapping — voluntary safe release defense — Reduced to Class B if the defendant voluntarily released the victim alive and not suffering serious bodily injury, in a safe place prior to trial.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(B)); 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 $20,000 (Kidnapping — voluntary safe release defense — Reduced to Class B if the defendant voluntarily released the victim alive and not suffering serious bodily injury, in a safe place prior to trial.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(2)); organizations up to $40,000 (§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 kidnapping classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kidnapping | Class A Crime | Kidnapping as defined in subsection 1 is a Class A crime. | 17-A M.R.S. § 301(3) |
| Kidnapping — voluntary safe release defense | Class B Crime | Reduced to Class B if the defendant voluntarily released the victim alive and not suffering serious bodily injury, in a safe place prior to trial. | 17-A M.R.S. § 301(3) |
Common questions about kidnapping in Maine
What class of crime is kidnapping in Maine?
It depends on the circumstances: kidnapping ranges from a Class B Crime to a Class A Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 301.
Kidnapping: Class A Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 301(3)) · Kidnapping — voluntary safe release defense: Class B Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 301(3))
What are the penalties for kidnapping in Maine?
Penalties for kidnapping in Maine depend on how it is classified — from a Class B Crime up to a Class A 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 kidnapping?
Kidnapping is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 301 (Kidnapping).
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.