Maine legal term
Compulsion in Maine Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Maine legislative session
In Maine criminal law, “Compulsion” 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 “Compulsion” mean in Maine criminal law?
"Compulsion" means the use of physical force, a threat to use physical force or a combination thereof that makes a person unable to physically repel the actor or produces in that person a reasonable fear that death, serious bodily injury or kidnapping might be imminently inflicted upon that person or another human being. (17-A M.R.S. § 251)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.