Maine criminal charge
Theft of services in Maine
Theft of services is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 357. 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. § 357.
What is the penalty for theft of services in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Theft of services by deception, threat, or force — A person obtains services by deception, threat, force, or other means designed to avoid due payment for services known to be available only for compensation.; 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 (Theft of services by deception, threat, or force — A person obtains services by deception, threat, force, or other means designed to avoid due payment for services known to be available only for compensation.; 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 6 months (Theft of services by unauthorized diversion — A person having control over disposition of another's services diverts them to their own benefit or to the benefit of another not entitled, knowing the recipient is not entitled to the services.; 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 (Theft of services by unauthorized diversion — A person having control over disposition of another's services diverts them to their own benefit or to the benefit of another not entitled, knowing the recipient is not entitled to the services.; 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 |
Applies to current (PL 2019, c. 113 recodification).
How is theft of services classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theft of services by deception, threat, or force | Class E Crime | A person obtains services by deception, threat, force, or other means designed to avoid due payment for services known to be available only for compensation. | 17-A M.R.S. § 357(1)(A) |
| Theft of services by unauthorized diversion | Class E Crime | A person having control over disposition of another's services diverts them to their own benefit or to the benefit of another not entitled, knowing the recipient is not entitled to the services. | 17-A M.R.S. § 357(2)(A) |
Common questions about theft of services in Maine
What class of crime is theft of services in Maine?
Theft of services is a Class E Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 357.
Theft of services by deception, threat, or force: Class E Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 357(1)(A)) · Theft of services by unauthorized diversion: Class E Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 357(2)(A))
What are the penalties for theft of services in Maine?
Penalties for theft of services in Maine depend on how it is classified — from a Class E Crime up to a Class E 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 theft of services?
Theft of services is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 357 (Theft of services).
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.