Maine criminal charge
Stealing drugs in Maine
Stealing drugs is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 1109. 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. § 1109.
What is the penalty for stealing drugs in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Stealing drugs — Schedule W, X, or Y — The stolen drug is a schedule W, X, or Y drug.; 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 (Stealing drugs — Schedule W, X, or Y — The stolen drug is a schedule W, X, or Y drug.; 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 364 days (Stealing drugs — Schedule Z — The stolen drug is a schedule Z drug.; 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 (Stealing drugs — Schedule Z — The stolen drug is a schedule Z drug.; 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 stealing drugs classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stealing drugs — Schedule W, X, or Y | Class C Crime | The stolen drug is a schedule W, X, or Y drug. | 17-A M.R.S. § 1109(2)(A) |
| Stealing drugs — Schedule Z | Class D Crime | The stolen drug is a schedule Z drug. | 17-A M.R.S. § 1109(2)(B) |
Common questions about stealing drugs in Maine
What class of crime is stealing drugs in Maine?
What are the penalties for stealing drugs in Maine?
Penalties for stealing drugs 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 stealing drugs?
Stealing drugs is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 1109 (Stealing drugs).
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.