Maine criminal charge
Robbery in Maine
Current through 2026 Maine legislative session
Robbery is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 651. 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. § 651.
What is the penalty for robbery in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 10 years (Robbery — reckless infliction of bodily injury — The actor recklessly inflicts bodily injury on another during a theft or attempted theft.; 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 (Robbery — reckless infliction of bodily injury — The actor recklessly inflicts bodily injury on another during a theft or attempted theft.; 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 |
| Jail / prison | up to 30 years (Robbery — use of physical force with intent — The actor uses physical force on another with the intent specified in paragraph B during a theft or attempted theft.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(A)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum, and mandatory minimums apply to certain crimes (e.g. use of a firearm against an individual, §1604(3))) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $50,000 (Robbery — use of physical force with intent — The actor uses physical force on another with the intent specified in paragraph B during a theft or attempted theft.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(1)); organizations up to $100,000 (§1705); statute-specific and alternative fines may exceed (§1706)) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Jail / prison | up to 30 years (Robbery — intentional infliction or attempted infliction of bodily injury — The actor intentionally inflicts or attempts to inflict bodily injury on another during a theft or attempted theft.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(A)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum, and mandatory minimums apply to certain crimes (e.g. use of a firearm against an individual, §1604(3))) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $50,000 (Robbery — intentional infliction or attempted infliction of bodily injury — The actor intentionally inflicts or attempts to inflict bodily injury on another during a theft or attempted theft.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(1)); organizations up to $100,000 (§1705); statute-specific and alternative fines may exceed (§1706)) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Jail / prison | up to 30 years (Robbery — armed with a dangerous weapon — The actor is armed with a dangerous weapon in the course of committing a robbery under paragraphs A through D, or knows that an accomplice is so armed.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(A)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum, and mandatory minimums apply to certain crimes (e.g. use of a firearm against an individual, §1604(3))) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $50,000 (Robbery — armed with a dangerous weapon — The actor is armed with a dangerous weapon in the course of committing a robbery under paragraphs A through D, or knows that an accomplice is so armed.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(1)); organizations up to $100,000 (§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 robbery classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robbery — reckless infliction of bodily injury | Class B Crime | The actor recklessly inflicts bodily injury on another during a theft or attempted theft. | 17-A M.R.S. § 651(1)(A) |
| Robbery — use of physical force with intent | Class A Crime | The actor uses physical force on another with the intent specified in paragraph B during a theft or attempted theft. | 17-A M.R.S. § 651(1)(C) |
| Robbery — intentional infliction or attempted infliction of bodily injury | Class A Crime | The actor intentionally inflicts or attempts to inflict bodily injury on another during a theft or attempted theft. | 17-A M.R.S. § 651(1)(D) |
| Robbery — armed with a dangerous weapon | Class A Crime | The actor is armed with a dangerous weapon in the course of committing a robbery under paragraphs A through D, or knows that an accomplice is so armed. | 17-A M.R.S. § 651(1)(E) |
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.