Crime Classes, a to E
17-A M.R.S. § 1604 — Class A up to 30 years, Class E up to 6 months
Except for murder, every crime the criminal code defines is classified for sentencing as Class A, B, C, D or E, and the class sets the maximum prison term and fine unless a statute sets a different one.
Who handles this in Maine: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Maine directory.
| Class | Maximum prison | Maximum fine |
|---|---|---|
| ClassClass A | Maximum prison30 years | Maximum fine$50,000 |
| ClassClass B | Maximum prison10 years | Maximum fine$20,000 |
| ClassClass C | Maximum prison5 years | Maximum fine$5,000 |
| ClassClass D | Maximum prisonLess than one year | Maximum fine$2,000 |
| ClassClass E | Maximum prison6 months | Maximum fine$1,000 |
A crime outside the code that names no class takes one from its maximum: over 10 years is Class A, over 5 up to 10 is Class B, over 3 up to 5 is Class C, over one year up to 3 is Class D, and one year or less is Class E.
Sources for this section (4)
- 17-A M.R.S. § 4 — Classification of crimes in this Code
- 17-A M.R.S. § 4-A — Crimes and civil violations outside the code
- 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 — Imprisonment for crimes other than murder
- 17-A M.R.S. § 1704 — Maximum fine amounts authorized for convicted individuals
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Maine attorney.