Skip to main content
US Criminal Defense.org
Menu

Maine criminal charge

Trafficking in contraband in a state hospital in Maine

Current through 2026 Maine legislative session

Trafficking in contraband in a state hospital is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 757-C. 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. § 757-C.

What is the penalty for trafficking in contraband in a state hospital in Maine?

Penalties for Trafficking in contraband in a state hospital
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prisonup to 5 years (Conveying a dangerous weapon to a patient — A person intentionally conveys or attempts to convey a dangerous weapon to any patient at a state hospital.; 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)))discretionary17-A M.R.S. § 1604
Fineup to $5,000 (Conveying a dangerous weapon to a patient — A person intentionally conveys or attempts to convey a dangerous weapon to any patient at a state hospital.; 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))discretionary17-A M.R.S. § 1604
Jail / prisonup to 364 days (Conveying contraband other than a dangerous weapon to a patient — A person intentionally conveys or attempts to convey contraband, other than a dangerous weapon, to any patient at a state hospital.; the statutory maximum is 'less than one year' (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(D)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum)discretionary17-A M.R.S. § 1604
Fineup to $2,000 (Conveying contraband other than a dangerous weapon to a patient — A person intentionally conveys or attempts to convey contraband, other than a dangerous weapon, to any patient at a state hospital.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(4)); organizations up to $10,000 (§1705); statute-specific fines may differ)discretionary17-A M.R.S. § 1604
Jail / prisonup to 364 days (Patient making, obtaining, or possessing contraband — A person who is a patient at a state hospital intentionally makes, obtains, or possesses contraband.; the statutory maximum is 'less than one year' (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(D)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum)discretionary17-A M.R.S. § 1604
Fineup to $2,000 (Patient making, obtaining, or possessing contraband — A person who is a patient at a state hospital intentionally makes, obtains, or possesses contraband.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(4)); organizations up to $10,000 (§1705); statute-specific fines may differ)discretionary17-A M.R.S. § 1604

Applies to current (PL 2019, c. 113 recodification).

How is trafficking in contraband in a state hospital classified in Maine?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Trafficking in contraband in a state hospital
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
Conveying a dangerous weapon to a patientClass C CrimeA person intentionally conveys or attempts to convey a dangerous weapon to any patient at a state hospital.17-A M.R.S. § 757-C(1)(A)
Conveying contraband other than a dangerous weapon to a patientClass D CrimeA person intentionally conveys or attempts to convey contraband, other than a dangerous weapon, to any patient at a state hospital.17-A M.R.S. § 757-C(1)(B)
Patient making, obtaining, or possessing contrabandClass D CrimeA person who is a patient at a state hospital intentionally makes, obtains, or possesses contraband.17-A M.R.S. § 757-C(1)(C)

Common questions about trafficking in contraband in a state hospital in Maine

What class of crime is trafficking in contraband in a state hospital in Maine?

It depends on the circumstances: trafficking in contraband in a state hospital ranges from a Class D Crime to a Class C Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 757-C.

Conveying a dangerous weapon to a patient: Class C Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 757-C(1)(A)) · Conveying contraband other than a dangerous weapon to a patient: Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 757-C(1)(B)) · Patient making, obtaining, or possessing contraband: Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 757-C(1)(C))

What are the penalties for trafficking in contraband in a state hospital in Maine?

Penalties for trafficking in contraband in a state hospital 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 trafficking in contraband in a state hospital?

Trafficking in contraband in a state hospital is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 757-C (Trafficking in contraband in a state hospital).

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.