Maine criminal charge
Possession or transfer of burglar's tools in Maine
Possession or transfer of burglar's tools is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 403. 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. § 403.
What is the penalty for possession or transfer of burglar's tools in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Possession of burglar's tools with intent to use — Possessing or making a tool adapted, designed, or commonly used for facilitating unlawful entry or forcible breaking of safes/containers, with intent to use it to commit such a crime.; 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 (Possession of burglar's tools with intent to use — Possessing or making a tool adapted, designed, or commonly used for facilitating unlawful entry or forcible breaking of safes/containers, with intent to use it to commit such a crime.; 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 |
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Transfer or possession with intent to transfer burglar's tools — Transferring or possessing with intent to transfer a device described in paragraph A that the person knows is designed or primarily useful for committing such a crime.; 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 (Transfer or possession with intent to transfer burglar's tools — Transferring or possessing with intent to transfer a device described in paragraph A that the person knows is designed or primarily useful for committing such a crime.; 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 |
Applies to current (PL 2019, c. 113 recodification).
How is possession or transfer of burglar's tools classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Possession of burglar's tools with intent to use | Class E Crime | Possessing or making a tool adapted, designed, or commonly used for facilitating unlawful entry or forcible breaking of safes/containers, with intent to use it to commit such a crime. | 17-A M.R.S. § 403(1)(A) |
| Transfer or possession with intent to transfer burglar's tools | Class D Crime | Transferring or possessing with intent to transfer a device described in paragraph A that the person knows is designed or primarily useful for committing such a crime. | 17-A M.R.S. § 403(1)(B) |
Common questions about possession or transfer of burglar's tools in Maine
What class of crime is possession or transfer of burglar's tools in Maine?
It depends on the circumstances: possession or transfer of burglar's tools ranges from a Class E Crime to a Class D Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 403.
Possession of burglar's tools with intent to use: Class E Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 403(1)(A)) · Transfer or possession with intent to transfer burglar's tools: Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 403(1)(B))
What are the penalties for possession or transfer of burglar's tools in Maine?
Penalties for possession or transfer of burglar's tools in Maine depend on how it is classified — from a Class E Crime up to a Class D 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 or transfer of burglar's tools?
Possession or transfer of burglar's tools is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 403 (Possession or transfer of burglar's tools).
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.