Maine criminal charge
Possession of sexually explicit material in Maine
Possession of sexually explicit material is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 284. 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. § 284.
What is the penalty for possession of sexually explicit material in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Repeat offense under paragraph A conduct — Violating paragraph A while having one or more prior convictions under this section or a substantially similar offense in another jurisdiction is 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 (Repeat offense under paragraph A conduct — Violating paragraph A while having one or more prior convictions under this section or a substantially similar offense in another jurisdiction is 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 |
| Jail / prison | up to 10 years (Repeat offense under paragraph C conduct — Violating paragraph C while having one or more prior convictions under this section or a substantially similar offense in another jurisdiction is a Class B crime.; 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 (Repeat offense under paragraph C conduct — Violating paragraph C while having one or more prior convictions under this section or a substantially similar offense in another jurisdiction is a Class B crime.; 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 possession of sexually explicit material classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repeat offense under paragraph A conduct | Class C Crime | Violating paragraph A while having one or more prior convictions under this section or a substantially similar offense in another jurisdiction is a Class C crime. | 17-A M.R.S. § 284(1)(B) |
| Repeat offense under paragraph C conduct | Class B Crime | Violating paragraph C while having one or more prior convictions under this section or a substantially similar offense in another jurisdiction is a Class B crime. | 17-A M.R.S. § 284(1)(D) |
Common questions about possession of sexually explicit material in Maine
What class of crime is possession of sexually explicit material in Maine?
It depends on the circumstances: possession of sexually explicit material ranges from a Class C Crime to a Class B Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 284.
Repeat offense under paragraph A conduct: Class C Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 284(1)(B)) · Repeat offense under paragraph C conduct: Class B Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 284(1)(D))
What are the penalties for possession of sexually explicit material in Maine?
Penalties for possession of sexually explicit material in Maine depend on how it is classified — from a Class C 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 possession of sexually explicit material?
Possession of sexually explicit material is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 284 (Possession of sexually explicit material).
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.