Maine criminal charge
Sexual misconduct with a child under 14 years of age in Maine
Sexual misconduct with a child under 14 years of age is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 258. 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. § 258.
What is the penalty for sexual misconduct with a child under 14 years of age in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Sexual misconduct with a child under 14 years of age — An adult knowingly displays sexually explicit materials to a person under 14 years of age, not the actor's spouse, intending to encourage a sexual act or sexual contact.; 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 (Sexual misconduct with a child under 14 years of age — An adult knowingly displays sexually explicit materials to a person under 14 years of age, not the actor's spouse, intending to encourage a sexual act or sexual contact.; 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 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Sexual misconduct with a child under 12 years of age — An adult knowingly displays sexually explicit materials to a person under 12 years of age, not the actor's spouse, intending to encourage a sexual act or sexual contact.; 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 (Sexual misconduct with a child under 12 years of age — An adult knowingly displays sexually explicit materials to a person under 12 years of age, not the actor's spouse, intending to encourage a sexual act or sexual contact.; 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 |
Applies to current (PL 2019, c. 113 recodification).
How is sexual misconduct with a child under 14 years of age classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sexual misconduct with a child under 14 years of age | Class D Crime | An adult knowingly displays sexually explicit materials to a person under 14 years of age, not the actor's spouse, intending to encourage a sexual act or sexual contact. | 17-A M.R.S. § 258(1) |
| Sexual misconduct with a child under 12 years of age | Class C Crime | An adult knowingly displays sexually explicit materials to a person under 12 years of age, not the actor's spouse, intending to encourage a sexual act or sexual contact. | 17-A M.R.S. § 258(1-A) |
Common questions about sexual misconduct with a child under 14 years of age in Maine
What class of crime is sexual misconduct with a child under 14 years of age in Maine?
It depends on the circumstances: sexual misconduct with a child under 14 years of age ranges from a Class D Crime to a Class C Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 258.
Sexual misconduct with a child under 14 years of age: Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 258(1)) · Sexual misconduct with a child under 12 years of age: Class C Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 258(1-A))
What are the penalties for sexual misconduct with a child under 14 years of age in Maine?
Penalties for sexual misconduct with a child under 14 years of age in Maine depend on how it is classified — from a Class D Crime up to a Class C 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 sexual misconduct with a child under 14 years of age?
Sexual misconduct with a child under 14 years of age is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 258 (Sexual misconduct with a child under 14 years of age).
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.