Maine legal term
Catastrophe in Maine Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Maine legislative session
In Maine criminal law, “Catastrophe” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Maine criminal code.
What does “Catastrophe” mean in Maine criminal law?
"Catastrophe" means: (1) For purposes of subsection 1, death or serious bodily injury to 10 or more persons or substantial damage to 5 or more structures, whether or not occupied; and (2) For purposes of subsection 2, death or serious bodily injury to more than one person, substantial damage to 3 or more structures, whether or not occupied, or substantial physical damage sufficient to disrupt the normal functioning of a critical infrastructure. (17-A M.R.S. § 803-A)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.