Maine criminal charge
Obstructing criminal prosecution in Maine
Obstructing criminal prosecution is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 754. 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. § 754.
What is the penalty for obstructing criminal prosecution in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Obstructing criminal prosecution — Any violation of the offense as defined in subsection 1 constitutes obstructing criminal prosecution, classified as a Class C crime.; 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 (Obstructing criminal prosecution — Any violation of the offense as defined in subsection 1 constitutes obstructing criminal prosecution, classified as a Class C crime.; 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 |
Applies to current (PL 2019, c. 113 recodification).
How is obstructing criminal prosecution classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obstructing criminal prosecution | Class C Crime | Any violation of the offense as defined in subsection 1 constitutes obstructing criminal prosecution, classified as a Class C crime. | 17-A M.R.S. § 754(4) |
Common questions about obstructing criminal prosecution in Maine
What class of crime is obstructing criminal prosecution in Maine?
Obstructing criminal prosecution is a Class C Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 754.
Obstructing criminal prosecution: Class C Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 754(4))
What are the penalties for obstructing criminal prosecution in Maine?
Penalties for obstructing criminal prosecution in Maine depend on how it is classified — from a Class C Crime up to a Class C 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 obstructing criminal prosecution?
Obstructing criminal prosecution is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 754 (Obstructing criminal prosecution).
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.