Maine Crime Classes: Class A to E Sentences and Fines (2026)

Maine's Criminal Code does not divide crimes into felonies and misdemeanors. Except for murder, every crime it defines is classified "for purposes of sentencing as Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D and Class E crimes" (17-A M.R.S. 4(1)), and 17-A M.R.S. 1604 and 1704 set each class's default maximum prison term and fine, from up to 30 years and $50,000 for Class A down to 6 months and $1,000 for Class E.

Information last verified on 2026-10-17. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This article covers the classification sections of the Maine Criminal Code (17-A M.R.S. 4, 4-A and 4-B), the imprisonment and fine sections (1603, 1604, 1704), the sentencing-process section (1602), several offense-specific sentencing sections (152-A, 253-A, 1125), the fine exceptions (1706), deferred disposition (1901 to 1904) and the probation sections (1802, 1804, 1805, 1811, 1812, 1814). It does not grade individual offenses (see the Maine theft laws and Maine assault and battery laws pages), time limits for prosecution, record clearing, juvenile cases, municipal ordinances or federal offenses. For every state side by side, see felony and misdemeanor classes by state.

Felony vs misdemeanor in Maine: the Code uses classes instead

Title 17-A, the Maine Criminal Code, does not use the words felony or misdemeanor to sort crimes. The word felony does appear in the name of one offense, felony murder, which is itself a Class A crime (17-A M.R.S. 202(3)). Section 4(1) provides:

"Except for murder, all crimes defined by this Code are classified for purposes of sentencing as Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D and Class E crimes."

Class A is the most serious class and Class E the least. By default maximum, Class A, B and C crimes carry 30, 10 and 5 years, while Class D crimes carry "less than one year" and Class E crimes 6 months (17-A M.R.S. 1604(1)). Murder has its own sentencing section (17-A M.R.S. 1603).

The Code does draw procedural lines between the upper and lower classes. Class A, B and C crimes must be prosecuted by indictment unless indictment is waived, while the District Courts have jurisdiction to try Class D and E crimes and civil violations (17-A M.R.S. 9(1), (3)). When a court imposes a split sentence, a Class D or E term is served in a county jail, and any portion of a Class A, B or C term longer than 9 months is served in the custody of the Department of Corrections (17-A M.R.S. 1805(1)(E)).

Below the crimes sits a third category, the civil violation, which is not a crime at all (17-A M.R.S. 4-B, below).

Crimes defined outside the Code

Many Maine crimes are defined in other titles. Under 17-A M.R.S. 4-A(2-A), "A statute outside this code may be expressly designated as a Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D or Class E crime, in which case sentencing for violation of such a statute is governed by the provisions of this code."

If the outside statute names no class, section 4-A(3) assigns one by the maximum prison term the statute authorizes: more than 10 years is Class A; more than 5 but not more than 10 years is Class B; more than 3 but not more than 5 years is Class C; more than one year but not more than 3 years is Class D; and not more than one year is Class E. These bands sort outside-Code crimes into classes. They are not the same as the Code's default maximums in section 1604, which apply "unless a different maximum term of imprisonment is specified by statute."

Maine crime classes, prison terms and fines

These are the default ranges for each class. An offense statute can set a different maximum, section 1706 allows fines above the listed amounts in some cases, weapon use and some prior records raise the sentencing class one level, and a few offenses carry mandatory minimums or terms up to life; all of these are described below.

The prison limits come from 17-A M.R.S. 1604(1): "Unless a different maximum term of imprisonment is specified by statute, the maximum term of imprisonment is as follows: A. In the case of a Class A crime, 30 years; B. In the case of a Class B crime, 10 years; C. In the case of a Class C crime, 5 years; D. In the case of a Class D crime, less than one year; or E. In the case of a Class E crime, 6 months."

The fine limits come from 17-A M.R.S. 1704, which applies "Except as provided in section 1706 and unless a different maximum fine is specified by statute": $50,000 for Class A, $20,000 for Class B, $5,000 for Class C, $2,000 for Class D and $1,000 for Class E. Those figures are for a convicted individual. Section 1706 allows a higher fine of up to twice the pecuniary gain from the crime, if the State pleads and proves the amount, and fines set by the offense statute based on the quantity of an item possessed or the value of a scheduled drug (17-A M.R.S. 1706(1)-(3)).

Murder

Murder is not a Class A crime; it stands outside the class system (17-A M.R.S. 4(1)). Under 17-A M.R.S. 1603(1), "A person convicted of the crime of murder must be sentenced to imprisonment for life or for any term of years that is not less than 25." The Maine life sentence page explains what a life term means there.

How a Maine sentence is set

Maine has no sentencing grid. For a prison sentence on a Class A, B or C crime, 17-A M.R.S. 1602(1) requires a three-step process:

1. The court sets "a basic term of imprisonment by considering the particular nature and seriousness of the offense as committed by the individual."
2. It sets the maximum term to be imposed "by considering all other relevant sentencing factors, both aggravating and mitigating." Those factors "include, but are not limited to, the character of the individual, the age of the individual at the time the conduct forming the basis for the conviction occurred, the individual's criminal history, the effect of the offense on the victim, the effect of the potential term of imprisonment on those relying on the individual as a primary caregiver and the protection of the public interest" (1602(1)(B)).
3. It decides "what portion, if any, of the maximum term of imprisonment under paragraph B should be suspended" and, if part is suspended, the period of probation or administrative release that goes with it.

The class maximum in section 1604 is therefore the outer limit, not the typical sentence. When a person is sentenced for more than one crime, the sentences "must be concurrent" unless the court imposes them consecutively after considering the factors section 1608(1) lists, such as offenses arising from different criminal episodes or an offense committed while on probation or bail.

Class elevation for a dangerous weapon

Under 17-A M.R.S. 1604(5)(A), "If the State pleads and proves that a Class B, C, D or E crime was committed with the use of a dangerous weapon, then the sentencing class for such crime is one class higher than it would otherwise be." For a Class A crime, weapon use "must be assigned special weight by the court in exercising its sentencing discretion." The subsection also names crimes to which the elevation does not apply.

Repeat offenders: class elevation in the Criminal Code

Title 17-A, the Criminal Code, has no general habitual-offender or three-strikes statute. Its general repeat-offender rule is another class elevation, in 17-A M.R.S. 1604(5)(B). (A separate motor-vehicle statute, 29-A M.R.S. 2551-A, defines a "habitual offender" by a driving record of 3 or more listed offenses, or 10 or more moving violations, within a 5-year period.) The class elevation applies only when all of these conditions are met:

• The new crime falls under chapter 9, 11, 12, 13, 27 or 35 of Title 17-A, or under section 402-A(1)(A), 752-A, 752-C or 752-F (or is an attempt of one of those crimes).
• At the time of the new crime, the person "had 2 or more prior convictions" under those same chapters or sections (excluding former section 853-A), for an attempt of any such crime, "or for engaging in substantially similar conduct in another jurisdiction."
• Each prior conviction came no more than 10 years before the new offense (17-A M.R.S. 9-A(3), applied by 1604(5)(B)(2)); for crimes under chapter 11 (sexual assaults), the prior convictions may be from any time. Convictions for 2 or more offenses committed within a 3-day period count as a single conviction (9-A(4)).
• The State pleads and proves those facts.

When the conditions are met, "the sentencing class for the crime is one class higher than it would otherwise be." There is a limit at the top: "In the case of a Class A crime, the sentencing class is not elevated, but the prior record must be assigned special weight by the court when imposing a sentence" (1604(5)(B)(1)). A crime that qualifies under both the weapon rule and the prior-record rule "may be elevated successively pursuant to both of those paragraphs if the crime that is pled and proved contains different class elevation factors" (1604(5)(C)). Paragraph (B) does not apply to murder, or where prior convictions have already served to elevate the sentencing class, as under section 210-A. Section 1604(5) also contains exceptions for particular crimes, so its full text controls in any given case.

Mandatory minimums and terms above the class range

Some offenses carry minimum terms that may not be suspended, or terms above the class maximum:

• Firearm used against an individual: if the State pleads and proves that a Class A, B or C crime "was committed with the use of a firearm against an individual, the minimum sentence of imprisonment, which may not be suspended," is 4 years for Class A, 2 years for Class B and one year for Class C. The rule "does not apply if the State pleads and proves criminal threatening or attempted criminal threatening, as defined in section 209, or terrorizing or attempted terrorizing, as defined in section 210, subsection 1, paragraph A" (17-A M.R.S. 1604(3)).
• Aggravated drug trafficking: for a conviction under section 1105-A, 1105-B, 1105-C, 1105-D or 1118-A, "the minimum term of imprisonment, which may not be suspended," is 4 years when the sentencing class is Class A, 2 years for Class B and one year for Class C, except that the Class C minimum does not apply to a conviction under 1105-A to 1105-D "when the drug that is the basis for the charge is marijuana" (17-A M.R.S. 1125(1)). The court may depart from those minimums only after making the findings section 1125(2) requires, and even then a lower minimum applies that may not be suspended: 9 months for Class A, 6 months for Class B and 3 months for Class C, except trafficking or furnishing marijuana (17-A M.R.S. 1125(3)).
• Repeat sexual assault offender: if the State pleads and proves that a defendant convicted of gross sexual assault is a repeat sexual assault offender, "the court may impose a definite term of imprisonment for any term of years," and may add probation or supervised release of any term of years (17-A M.R.S. 253-A(1)).
• Prior gross sexual assault convictions: on a gross sexual assault sentence, each prior Maine conviction under section 253 adds at least 4 years (prior Class A), 2 years (prior Class B) or one year (prior Class C) to the basic period, and that portion may not be suspended (17-A M.R.S. 253-A(3)(C), (D)).
• Gross sexual assault on a child under 12: if the State pleads and proves that a crime under section 253 "was committed against an individual who had not yet attained 12 years of age, the court shall impose a definite term of imprisonment for any term of years," and at step one of the sentencing process "the court shall select a definite term of at least 20 years," and the court must add a period of supervised release (17-A M.R.S. 253-A(2)).
• Aggravated attempted murder: this is a Class A crime, but "notwithstanding section 1604, subsection 1, paragraph A, the sentence for aggravated attempted murder is imprisonment for life or a definite period of imprisonment for any term of years," with probation of any term of years allowed (17-A M.R.S. 152-A(2)).

Can a conviction be reduced to a lower class in Maine?

Sections 4, 4-A, 1602, 1604, 1704 and 1805 of Title 17-A contain no provision that moves a conviction to a lower class after the fact. The class movement those sections provide runs upward, through the weapon and prior-record elevations in section 1604(5).

What the Code does allow is a split sentence. Under 17-A M.R.S. 1805(1), "Unless prohibited pursuant to section 1802, subsection 1, paragraphs A to F, the court may impose a split sentence by sentencing an individual to a term of imprisonment not to exceed the maximum term authorized for the crime, an initial portion of which is to be served and the remainder of which is to be suspended, and accompany the suspension with a period of probation not to exceed the maximum period authorized for the crime." A split sentence changes how much of the term is served, not the class of the conviction.

Separately, 17-A M.R.S. 1901 to 1904 provide a deferred disposition for a person who pleads guilty to a Class B crime under chapter 45 (drugs) or a Class C, D or E crime and consents in writing (1901). Sentencing is deferred while the person meets court-set requirements, and the person is deemed convicted only when sentence is imposed (1902(4)). At the end of the deferment, if the person has complied, the court imposes the agreed sentencing alternative unless the State moves to let the person withdraw the guilty plea; if that motion is granted, the State dismisses the charge with prejudice (1903(1)).

Civil violations in Maine

A civil violation is Maine's non-criminal tier. Under 17-A M.R.S. 4-B(1), "All civil violations are expressly declared not to be criminal offenses. They are enforceable by the Attorney General, the Attorney General's representative or any other appropriate public official in a civil action to recover what may be designated a fine, penalty or other sanction, or to secure the forfeiture that may be decreed by the law."

Section 4-B(3) adds: "A law or ordinance which prohibits defined conduct, but does not provide an imprisonment penalty, is a civil violation." The amount of the fine or penalty comes from the law that creates the violation, not from section 1704.

How long is probation in Maine?

The general limits are in 17-A M.R.S. 1804(1): "Except as provided in subsections 2, 3, 4, 4-A, 5 and 6, the period of probation for a person may not exceed: A. For a Class A crime, 4 years; B. For a Class B crime, 3 years; C. For a Class C crime, 2 years; and D. For a Class D or Class E crime, one year."

The exceptions in section 1804 allow longer periods, including:

• Chapter 11 or 12 convictions with a victim under 12: up to 18 years for Class A, 12 years for Class B and 6 years for Class C (1804(2)).
• Crimes against a family or household member or dating partner, and other listed convictions: up to 6 years for Class A and 4 years for Class B or C (1804(3)).
• Repeat sexual assault offenders sentenced under section 253-A(1): "any term of years" (1804(4)).
• Aggravated attempted murder sentenced under section 152-A(2): "any term of years" (1804(4-A)).
• Listed Class D and E domestic violence cases: up to 2 years, but on motion the court must end probation once the person has served at least one year, completed the certified domestic violence intervention program, paid any ordered restitution in full and met all other conditions (1804(6)).

Who is not eligible for probation

Under 17-A M.R.S. 1802(1), a person convicted of a crime may be sentenced to probation unless one of that subsection's bars applies. Among them:

• "The conviction is for murder" (1802(1)(A)).
• The conviction is for a Class D or Class E crime, other than the exceptions the paragraph lists (1802(1)(B)). The exceptions include "A Class D crime that the State pleads and proves was committed against a family or household member or a dating partner under chapter 9 or 13 or section 554, 555 or 758," and a Class D or E crime where the parties agree in writing and the court finds that the underlying episode generated probable cause to believe the person committed a Class A, B or C crime, for a person with no prior conviction for murder or a Class A, B or C crime who has not been placed on probation under that exception before.
• The offense statute "expressly provides that the fine or imprisonment penalties it authorizes may not be suspended" (1802(1)(E)).
• "The court finds that such a sentence would diminish the gravity of the crime for which that person was convicted" (1802(1)(F)).

The mandatory minimums in sections 1604(3) and 1125, and the prior-conviction enhancement in section 253-A(3), described above, also may not be suspended.

What happens if you violate probation in Maine?

When a person on probation is arrested, "A motion for probation revocation, which first must be approved by the prosecuting attorney, must be filed within 3 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays" (17-A M.R.S. 1811(1)). The court must hold an initial appearance "within 5 days after the arrest, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays" (1811(3)), and if the person is held without bail, the hearing date "must be set no later than 45 days from the date of the initial appearance" (1811(4)).

At a hearing, "the person on probation must be given the opportunity to confront and cross-examine witnesses against the person, to present evidence on that person's own behalf and to be represented by counsel. If the person cannot afford counsel, the court shall appoint counsel for the person" (17-A M.R.S. 1812(2)).

When the alleged violation is a new crime for which the person has not been convicted, the court may revoke probation if it "finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the person committed the crime" (1812(3)). When the alleged violation is not a crime, the court may revoke probation if it "finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the person on probation has inexcusably failed to comply with a requirement imposed as a condition of probation" (1812(4)). That rule does not apply to a violation of the condition to "Refrain from drug use and use or excessive use of alcohol or marijuana" (section 1807(2)(I)) when no crime is alleged, except as section 1814 provides. Section 1814 lets a probation officer, for any violation that is not a crime, offer added conditions instead of revocation proceedings, including a graduated sanction that "may not consist of incarceration." For the drug and alcohol condition, an officer may arrest the person and start revocation proceedings on probable cause of a violation if the officer "determines there is a significant risk to the safety of others or the person that cannot be managed through a noncustodial response."

On a violation finding, "the court may vacate all, part or none of the suspension of execution as to imprisonment or fine specified when probation was granted, considering the nature of the violation and the reasons for granting probation." Any portion not vacated "remains suspended and is subject to revocation at a later date" (1812(6)).

Recent changes

• Public Law 2025, chapter 207 amended 17-A M.R.S. 152-A (aggravated attempted murder) and section 1804, and added subsection 4-A to section 1804, which allows probation of any term of years after an aggravated attempted murder sentence.
• Public Law 2025, chapters 402 and 420 amended the sentencing-process section, 17-A M.R.S. 1602. The three-step process described above is from the section as it now reads.
• Public Law 2025, chapter 694 amended the probation revocation sections, 17-A M.R.S. 1810, 1811 and 1812. The timing and hearing rules above are from those sections as they now read.

Related legal issues in Maine

Each offense statute assigns its own class. The Maine theft laws page explains how theft is graded into these classes, and the Maine assault and battery laws page covers the assault offenses. For clearing an old record, see Maine expungement laws. For the time limits on bringing charges, see the Maine statute of limitations.

Gun laws also turn on the possible prison term rather than a label. Maine's own firearm statute reaches a person convicted of "A crime in this State that is punishable by imprisonment for a term of one year or more" (15 M.R.S. 393(1)(A-1)(1)). The federal ban in 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(1) applies to a person convicted of "a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year," and 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(20)(B) excludes "any State offense classified by the laws of the State as a misdemeanor and punishable by a term of imprisonment of two years or less." Separately, 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(9) bars possessing a firearm or ammunition after a conviction in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, as 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(33) defines it, whatever the misdemeanor's maximum sentence. The federal classes are covered on the felony and misdemeanor classes hub.

Related

• Felony and misdemeanor classes by state
• Maine theft laws
• Maine assault and battery laws
• Maine expungement laws
• Maine life sentence
• New Hampshire felony and misdemeanor classes

This article provides general legal information about how Maine statutes classify and punish crimes, current as of 2026-10-17. It is not legal advice. For a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in Maine.

Last updated: 2026-10-17.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor in Maine?

Maine's Criminal Code does not use either label to classify crimes. Except for murder, it sorts crimes into Class A, B, C, D and E (17-A M.R.S. 4(1)); Classes A to C carry default maximums of 30, 10 and 5 years, and Classes D and E carry less than one year and 6 months (17-A M.R.S. 1604(1)).

What are the crime classes in Maine and how much time does each carry?

Unless a statute sets a different maximum, Class A carries up to 30 years, Class B up to 10, Class C up to 5, Class D less than one year and Class E up to 6 months (17-A M.R.S. 1604(1)). Weapon use or repeat convictions can raise the sentencing class one level under section 1604(5), and some crimes carry mandatory minimums.

What is a Class D crime in Maine?

It is the second-lowest class in the Criminal Code. Unless a statute sets a different maximum, the term is less than one year (17-A M.R.S. 1604(1)(D)) and the fine is up to $2,000 (17-A M.R.S. 1704), subject to the higher fines section 1706 allows.

What is a Class E crime in Maine?

It is the lowest class. Unless a statute sets a different maximum, the term is up to 6 months (17-A M.R.S. 1604(1)(E)) and the fine is up to $1,000 (17-A M.R.S. 1704), subject to the higher fines section 1706 allows.

Is a civil violation a crime in Maine?

No. 17-A M.R.S. 4-B(1) declares all civil violations not to be criminal offenses; they are enforced in a civil action for a fine, penalty or forfeiture, and a law with no imprisonment penalty is a civil violation (4-B(3)).

Can a Class C crime be reduced to a lower class in Maine?

Sections 4, 4-A, 1602, 1604, 1704 and 1805 of Title 17-A contain no provision that moves a conviction to a lower class. Section 1604(5) works the other way: weapon use and some prior records raise the sentencing class. Separately, a deferred disposition under sections 1901 to 1904, available for a Class C, D or E crime and some Class B drug crimes, can end with the guilty plea withdrawn and the charge dismissed if the State so moves.

Does Maine have a habitual offender law?

Not as a general Criminal Code statute; a separate motor-vehicle law, 29-A M.R.S. 2551-A, defines a habitual offender by driving record. Under 17-A M.R.S. 1604(5)(B), if the State pleads and proves 2 or more prior convictions (generally within 10 years) under the listed chapters, a new crime under those chapters is sentenced one class higher; a Class A crime is not elevated, but the record gets special weight. For gross sexual assault, a repeat sexual assault offender can receive any term of years, and each prior Maine gross sexual assault conviction adds a minimum period that may not be suspended (section 253-A).

How long is probation in Maine?

Generally up to 4 years for Class A, 3 for Class B, 2 for Class C and one year for Class D or E (17-A M.R.S. 1804(1)). Section 1804 allows longer periods for listed offenses, and section 1802(1) bars probation for murder and for Class D and E crimes other than listed exceptions, among other bars.

What happens if you violate probation in Maine?

The person has a right to a hearing with counsel, appointed if they cannot afford one (17-A M.R.S. 1812(2)). On finding a violation, the court may vacate all, part or none of the suspended sentence, and the rest stays suspended (1812(6)).