Maine criminal charge
Negotiating a worthless instrument in Maine
Negotiating a worthless instrument is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 708. 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. § 708.
What is the penalty for negotiating a worthless instrument in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Negotiating a worthless instrument — A person intentionally issues or negotiates a negotiable instrument knowing it will not be honored by the maker or drawee.; 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 (Negotiating a worthless instrument — A person intentionally issues or negotiates a negotiable instrument knowing it will not be honored by the maker or drawee.; 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 negotiating a worthless instrument classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Negotiating a worthless instrument | Class E Crime | A person intentionally issues or negotiates a negotiable instrument knowing it will not be honored by the maker or drawee. | 17-A M.R.S. § 708(1)(A) |
Common questions about negotiating a worthless instrument in Maine
What class of crime is negotiating a worthless instrument in Maine?
Negotiating a worthless instrument is a Class E Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 708.
Negotiating a worthless instrument: Class E Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 708(1)(A))
What are the penalties for negotiating a worthless instrument in Maine?
Penalties for negotiating a worthless instrument 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 negotiating a worthless instrument?
Negotiating a worthless instrument is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 708 (Negotiating a worthless instrument).
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.