Maine statute
17-A M.R.S. § 35 — Definitions of culpable states of mind
Current through First Special Session of the 132nd Maine Legislature (current through October 1, 2025)
Part of Chapter 2: Criminal Liability; Elements of Crimes, Maine Revised Statutes.
Full text of 17-A M.R.S. § 35
Statutory text current through the First Special Session of the 132nd Maine Legislature (current through October 1, 2025). This publication reproduces the statutory text of the Maine Revised Statutes from the Revisor of Statutes' official published files; it is not the official statutes of the State of Maine and has not been certified by the Secretary of State.
1. "Intentionally."
A. A person acts intentionally with respect to a result of the person's conduct when it is the person's conscious object to cause such a result.
B. A person acts intentionally with respect to attendant circumstances when the person is aware of the existence of such circumstances or believes that they exist.
2. "Knowingly."
A. A person acts knowingly with respect to a result of the person's conduct when the person is aware that it is practically certain that the person's conduct will cause such a result.
B. A person acts knowingly with respect to attendant circumstances when the person is aware that such circumstances exist.
3. "Recklessly."
A. A person acts recklessly with respect to a result of the person's conduct when the person consciously disregards a risk that the person's conduct will cause such a result.
B. A person acts recklessly with respect to attendant circumstances when the person consciously disregards a risk that such circumstances exist.
C. For purposes of this subsection, the disregard of the risk, when viewed in light of the nature and purpose of the person's conduct and the circumstances known to the person, must involve a gross deviation from the standard of conduct that a reasonable and prudent person would observe in the same situation.
4. "Criminal negligence."
A. A person acts with criminal negligence with respect to a result of the person's conduct when the person fails to be aware of a risk that the person's conduct will cause such a result.
B. A person acts with criminal negligence with respect to attendant circumstances when the person fails to be aware of a risk that such circumstances exist.
C. For purposes of this subsection, the failure to be aware of the risk, when viewed in light of the nature and purpose of the person's conduct and the circumstances known to the person, must involve a gross deviation from the standard of conduct that a reasonable and prudent person would observe in the same situation.
5. "Culpable." A person acts culpably when the person acts with the intention, knowledge, recklessness or criminal negligence as is required.
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Legal terms used in this section
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.