Maine criminal charge
Trafficking in prison contraband in Maine
Trafficking in prison contraband is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 757. 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.
What is the penalty for trafficking in prison contraband in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Trafficking in prison contraband (general) — Applies to trafficking in prison contraband except as otherwise provided in subsection 4.; 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 (Trafficking in prison contraband (general) — Applies to trafficking in prison contraband except as otherwise provided in subsection 4.; 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 (Trafficking in prison contraband — electronic contraband exception — Applies when the contraband possessed by a person in official custody under subsection 1(B) is electronic contraband (an unauthorized mobile telephone or other handheld communication device) not intended to be used to commit a separate crime.; 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 (Trafficking in prison contraband — electronic contraband exception — Applies when the contraband possessed by a person in official custody under subsection 1(B) is electronic contraband (an unauthorized mobile telephone or other handheld communication device) not intended to be used to commit a separate crime.; 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 trafficking in prison contraband classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trafficking in prison contraband (general) | Class C Crime | Applies to trafficking in prison contraband except as otherwise provided in subsection 4. | 17-A M.R.S. § 757(3) |
| Trafficking in prison contraband — electronic contraband exception | Class D Crime | Applies when the contraband possessed by a person in official custody under subsection 1(B) is electronic contraband (an unauthorized mobile telephone or other handheld communication device) not intended to be used to commit a separate crime. | 17-A M.R.S. § 757(4) |
Common questions about trafficking in prison contraband in Maine
What class of crime is trafficking in prison contraband in Maine?
It depends on the circumstances: trafficking in prison contraband ranges from a Class D Crime to a Class C Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 757.
Trafficking in prison contraband (general): Class C Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 757(3)) · Trafficking in prison contraband — electronic contraband exception: Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 757(4))
What are the penalties for trafficking in prison contraband in Maine?
Penalties for trafficking in prison contraband 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 prison contraband?
Trafficking in prison contraband is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 757 (Trafficking in prison contraband).
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.