Maine criminal charge
Possession or transfer of theft devices in Maine
Possession or transfer of theft devices is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 907. 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. § 907.
What is the penalty for possession or transfer of theft devices in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Possession or making of theft device with intent to use — A person possesses or makes a device primarily useful for facilitating theft, intending to use it to commit theft.; 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 or making of theft device with intent to use — A person possesses or makes a device primarily useful for facilitating theft, intending to use it to commit theft.; 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 a theft device — A person transfers or possesses with intent to transfer a device knowing it is designed or primarily useful for committing theft.; 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 a theft device — A person transfers or possesses with intent to transfer a device knowing it is designed or primarily useful for committing theft.; 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 theft devices classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Possession or making of theft device with intent to use | Class E Crime | A person possesses or makes a device primarily useful for facilitating theft, intending to use it to commit theft. | 17-A M.R.S. § 907(1)(A) |
| Transfer or possession with intent to transfer a theft device | Class D Crime | A person transfers or possesses with intent to transfer a device knowing it is designed or primarily useful for committing theft. | 17-A M.R.S. § 907(1)(B) |
Common questions about possession or transfer of theft devices in Maine
What class of crime is possession or transfer of theft devices in Maine?
It depends on the circumstances: possession or transfer of theft devices ranges from a Class E Crime to a Class D Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 907.
Possession or making of theft device with intent to use: Class E Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 907(1)(A)) · Transfer or possession with intent to transfer a theft device: Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 907(1)(B))
What are the penalties for possession or transfer of theft devices in Maine?
Penalties for possession or transfer of theft devices 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 theft devices?
Possession or transfer of theft devices is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 907 (Possession or transfer of theft devices).
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.