Maine criminal charge
Terrorizing in Maine
Terrorizing is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 210. 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. § 210.
What is the penalty for terrorizing in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Terrorizing — threat causing reasonable fear — The natural and probable consequence of the threat is to place the person threatened or to whom it is communicated in reasonable fear that the crime will be committed.; 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 (Terrorizing — threat causing reasonable fear — The natural and probable consequence of the threat is to place the person threatened or to whom it is communicated in reasonable fear that the crime will be committed.; 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 (Terrorizing — threat causing evacuation or lockdown — The natural and probable consequence of the threat is to cause evacuation of a building, place of assembly, or facility of public transport, or to cause occupants to be moved to or required to remain in a designated secured area.; 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 (Terrorizing — threat causing evacuation or lockdown — The natural and probable consequence of the threat is to cause evacuation of a building, place of assembly, or facility of public transport, or to cause occupants to be moved to or required to remain in a designated secured area.; 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 terrorizing classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terrorizing — threat causing reasonable fear | Class D Crime | The natural and probable consequence of the threat is to place the person threatened or to whom it is communicated in reasonable fear that the crime will be committed. | 17-A M.R.S. § 210(1)(A) |
| Terrorizing — threat causing evacuation or lockdown | Class C Crime | The natural and probable consequence of the threat is to cause evacuation of a building, place of assembly, or facility of public transport, or to cause occupants to be moved to or required to remain in a designated secured area. | 17-A M.R.S. § 210(1)(B) |
Common questions about terrorizing in Maine
What class of crime is terrorizing in Maine?
It depends on the circumstances: terrorizing ranges from a Class D Crime to a Class C Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 210.
Terrorizing — threat causing reasonable fear: Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 210(1)(A)) · Terrorizing — threat causing evacuation or lockdown: Class C Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 210(1)(B))
What are the penalties for terrorizing in Maine?
Penalties for terrorizing 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 terrorizing?
Terrorizing is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 210 (Terrorizing).
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.