Maine criminal charge
Official oppression in Maine
Official oppression is a Class E Crime under Maine criminal law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 608. As a Class E Crime, it is punishable within the statutory sentencing range Maine sets for that offense class. Maine classifies crimes as Class A through Class E — it does not use the words felony or misdemeanor. Default maximum terms and fines are set by 17-A M.R.S. §1604 and §1704; murder is unclassified and sentenced separately under 17-A M.R.S. §1603.
Defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 608.
What is the penalty for official oppression in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (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 (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).
Common questions about official oppression in Maine
What class of crime is official oppression in Maine?
Official oppression is a Class E Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 608.
What are the penalties for official oppression in Maine?
As a Class E Crime, official oppression carries up to 6 months (no mandatory minimum) of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000 (no mandatory minimum) under 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 (current (PL 2019, c. 113 recodification)).
Which Maine statute covers official oppression?
Official oppression is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 608 (Official oppression).
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.