Maine criminal charge
Misuse of entrusted property in Maine
Misuse of entrusted property is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 903. 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. § 903.
What is the penalty for misuse of entrusted property in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Misuse of entrusted property (general) — Applies to misuse of entrusted property generally, except as provided for offenses involving a vulnerable person's property under subsection 4.; 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 (Misuse of entrusted property (general) — Applies to misuse of entrusted property generally, except as provided for offenses involving a vulnerable person's property under subsection 4.; 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 5 years (Misuse of entrusted property involving vulnerable person ($1,000–$10,000) — Applies when the loss is of a vulnerable person's property or property entrusted for a vulnerable person's benefit and the value of the property is more than $1,000 but not more than $10,000.; 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 (Misuse of entrusted property involving vulnerable person ($1,000–$10,000) — Applies when the loss is of a vulnerable person's property or property entrusted for a vulnerable person's benefit and the value of the property is more than $1,000 but not more than $10,000.; 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 |
| Jail / prison | up to 10 years (Misuse of entrusted property involving vulnerable person (over $10,000) — Applies when the loss is of a vulnerable person's property or property entrusted for a vulnerable person's benefit and the value of the property is more than $10,000.; 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 (Misuse of entrusted property involving vulnerable person (over $10,000) — Applies when the loss is of a vulnerable person's property or property entrusted for a vulnerable person's benefit and the value of the property is more than $10,000.; 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 misuse of entrusted property classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Misuse of entrusted property (general) | Class D Crime | Applies to misuse of entrusted property generally, except as provided for offenses involving a vulnerable person's property under subsection 4. | 17-A M.R.S. § 903(3) |
| Misuse of entrusted property involving vulnerable person ($1,000–$10,000) | Class C Crime | Applies when the loss is of a vulnerable person's property or property entrusted for a vulnerable person's benefit and the value of the property is more than $1,000 but not more than $10,000. | 17-A M.R.S. § 903(4)(A) |
| Misuse of entrusted property involving vulnerable person (over $10,000) | Class B Crime | Applies when the loss is of a vulnerable person's property or property entrusted for a vulnerable person's benefit and the value of the property is more than $10,000. | 17-A M.R.S. § 903(4)(B) |
Common questions about misuse of entrusted property in Maine
What class of crime is misuse of entrusted property in Maine?
It depends on the circumstances: misuse of entrusted property ranges from a Class D Crime to a Class B Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 903.
Misuse of entrusted property (general): Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 903(3)) · Misuse of entrusted property involving vulnerable person ($1,000–$10,000): Class C Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 903(4)(A)) · Misuse of entrusted property involving vulnerable person (over $10,000): Class B Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 903(4)(B))
What are the penalties for misuse of entrusted property in Maine?
Penalties for misuse of entrusted property in Maine depend on how it is classified — from a Class D Crime up to a Class B 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 misuse of entrusted property?
Misuse of entrusted property is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 903 (Misuse of entrusted property).
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.