Maine criminal charge
Manslaughter in Maine
Manslaughter is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 203. 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. § 203.
What is the penalty for manslaughter in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 30 years (Manslaughter — reckless or criminally negligent killing — Applies when a person recklessly or with criminal negligence causes the death of another human being.; 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 (Manslaughter — reckless or criminally negligent killing — Applies when a person recklessly or with criminal negligence causes the death of another human being.; 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 30 years (Manslaughter — killing under extreme anger or fear from adequate provocation — Applies when a person intentionally or knowingly causes death but does so under extreme anger or extreme fear brought about by adequate provocation, mitigating what would otherwise be murder.; 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 (Manslaughter — killing under extreme anger or fear from adequate provocation — Applies when a person intentionally or knowingly causes death but does so under extreme anger or extreme fear brought about by adequate provocation, mitigating what would otherwise be murder.; 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 |
Applies to current (PL 2019, c. 113 recodification).
How is manslaughter classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manslaughter — reckless or criminally negligent killing | Class A Crime | Applies when a person recklessly or with criminal negligence causes the death of another human being. | 17-A M.R.S. § 203(1)(A) |
| Manslaughter — killing under extreme anger or fear from adequate provocation | Class A Crime | Applies when a person intentionally or knowingly causes death but does so under extreme anger or extreme fear brought about by adequate provocation, mitigating what would otherwise be murder. | 17-A M.R.S. § 203(1)(B) |
Common questions about manslaughter in Maine
What class of crime is manslaughter in Maine?
Manslaughter is a Class A Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 203.
Manslaughter — reckless or criminally negligent killing: Class A Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 203(1)(A)) · Manslaughter — killing under extreme anger or fear from adequate provocation: Class A Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 203(1)(B))
What are the penalties for manslaughter in Maine?
Penalties for manslaughter in Maine depend on how it is classified — from a Class A 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 manslaughter?
Manslaughter is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 203 (Manslaughter).
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.