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First Degree Felony in Maine
In Maine, first-degree felonies correspond to Class A crimes under the criminal code (17-A M.R.S. § 1604), which classifies crimes from Class A (most severe) to Class E (least severe). Unlike most US states, Maine does not categorize criminal offenses as felonies or misdemeanors. Instead, offenses are divided into five classes, with Class A, Class B, and Class C offenses considered felony-level offenses and Class D and Class E misdemeanor-level offenses.
Under Maine law, crimes not explicitly defined by statutes are classified based on their maximum prison terms. Typically, offenses with a punishment of more than 10 years in prison are categorized as Class A (17-A M.R.S. § 4-A(3)(A)).
In Maine, Class A crimes (first-degree felonies) are the most serious non-capital offenses that endanger public safety and therefore carry the strictest penalties. Examples of Class A crimes in Maine include aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14, kidnapping, or manslaughter.
When reviewing the types of crimes in Maine, researchers should understand that Classes A, B, and C are felony offenses, with Class A (first-degree felonies) being the most serious and having long-lasting consequences.
Public Access to First Degree Felony Records in Maine
Under Title 1, Chapter 13 of the Maine Revised Statutes, and the Criminal History Record Information Act (Title 16, Chapter 9), criminal conviction records, including Class A crimes (first-degree felonies), are generally accessible to the public unless sealed explicitly by law.
Records inaccessible to the public may include sealed/expunged cases, juvenile felony adjudications, non-conviction records, and sensitive victim details.
Interested parties may obtain public Class A crime records via the state's online case access, in person at a county's Clerk of Court Office, through the Maine State Police's Criminal History Record Request portal, or third-party websites.
Access Methods
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Maine Online Court Access Portal: Requesters may sign up for a free account to look up public criminal cases online where e-filing is available. While case documents can be downloaded for free, access to remote records is limited. Interested parties often need to visit the courthouse in person to access physical documents.
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Clerk of Court (county level): Due to limited online access to criminal case information, requesters must visit the courthouse to inspect or copy records. At the courthouse, they must fill out a Request for Records Search Form, show ID, and pay nominal fees. Parties to the case typically are exempt from search fees.
- Maine State Police—Criminal History Record Request: Individuals may use the official portal to request criminal history (adult convictions and juvenile adjudications). Name-based or fingerprint-based checks are available for a fee ($21–$31) depending on residency.
- Third-Party Websites: Requesters may also acquire Maine's Class A crime (first-degree felonies) records through third-party websites for a fee. These private databases allow users to access public felony records from anywhere at any time. However, because government organizations do not regulate such sites, the availability and accuracy of data on these platforms cannot be assured.
| Source | Access Type | Website/Location |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Online Court Access Portal | Online case search (limited records; free downloads) | Maine Judicial Branch – eCourts Access |
| Clerk of Court (County Level) | In-person request; inspection or copies of case files (requires Request for Records Search Form, ID, nominal fee) | Local county courthouse clerk’s office |
| Maine State Police – Criminal History Record Request | Online name-based or fingerprint-based background check (fees: $21–$31) | Maine InforME Criminal History Request Service |
| Third-Party Websites | Online subscription or pay-per-search (availability and accuracy not guaranteed) | Various private record search sites |
Common Crimes Classified as First Degree Felonies in Maine
In Maine, some typical Class A crimes (first-degree felonies) include gross sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, kidnapping, aggravated drug trafficking, and aggravated attempted murder, among others.
According to a 2023 report by the State of Maine Department of Public Safety, Maine law enforcement agencies recorded 43,377 crime incidents in 2023 compared to 44,546 cases reported in 2022. This translates to a 2.6% decline in crimes reported between 2022 and 2023.
In 2023, Maine's overall violent crime rate was 1.00 per 1,000 residents. A breakdown revealed that murder and non-negligent manslaughter occurred at 0.04 per 1,000, rape at 0.26 per 1,000, aggravated assault at 0.55 per 1,000, and robbery at 0.26 per 1,000.
| Crime | Brief Description |
|---|---|
| Gross sexual assault | A person commits a Class A crime of gross sexual assault if they engage in a sexual act with another person using compulsion (threat, force, etc.) or the person (not the actor’s spouse) is under age 14, or the person (not the actor’s spouse) is under 12 (Title 17-A, § 25). |
| Aggravated assault | According to 17-A § 208, a person is guilty of aggravated assault (Class A crime )if, while acting intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly, they cause bodily injury to another individual that results in severe, permanent disfigurement, or loss or substantial impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ. |
| Kidnapping | According to 17-A § 301, a person is guilty of a Class A crime of kidnapping when they knowingly restrain another person with the intention of holding them for ransom, using them as a hostage, inflicting injury, committing another crime, terrorizing them, or interfering with governmental functions. The offenses may be reduced to a Class B offense if the victim is safely released unharmed before trial. |
| Aggravated drug trafficking | Under Maine law(17-A § 1105-A), aggravated drug trafficking becomes a Class A crime if it involves sizable quantities of dangerous drugs (e.g., 112 or more grams of cocaine, six or more grams of heroin or fentanyl, 20 or more pounds of marijuana), illegal trades near schools, use of firearms, prior trafficking convictions, causing a death, or involving children in the offense. |
Prison Sentences and Fines for First Degree Felonies in Maine
In Maine, individuals convicted of Class A offenses may face up to 30 years in jail and fines of up to $50,000. The limits on sentences and fines above apply to all Class A crimes unless the law states otherwise.
Though not classified as a Class A crime, Maine law enforces harsher sentencing for murder. The minimum sentence for murder is at least 25 years, with a possibility of life imprisonment. The state law (Maine § 17-A § 1125) also sets a mandatory minimum of four years for drug-related Class A crimes.
| Maine First Degree Punishment | Prison Range | Maximum Fine |
|---|---|---|
| General Class A Felony | Up to 30 years imprisonment | Up to $50,000 |
| Murder (special statute, not a Class A but higher) | 25 years to life (mandatory minimum 25 years) | Not specified |
| Aggravated Assault (Class A level) | Up to 30 years (for serious, permanent disfigurement/loss of function) | Up to $50,000 |
| Gross Sexual Assault (Class A cases) | Up to 30 years (severe cases: victim under 14, compulsion, etc.) | Up to $50,000 |
| Kidnapping (Class A) | Up to 30 years (may be reduced to Class B if the victim is released unharmed) | Up to $50,000 |
What is the Maximum Sentence for a First Degree Felony in Maine?
The maximum sentence for most of Maine's Class A crimes (first-degree felonies) is a jail term of up to 30 years, a fine of no more than $50,000, or a combination of both. An exception is murder, which is considered more serious than Class A offenses. Those convicted of murder face a minimum of 25 years to life in prison.
Note: Maine banned capital punishment in 1887.
What is First Degree Murder in Maine?
In Maine, the law treats murder differently from most US states, which classify "first-degree murder" as a standard felony. Title 17-A, Section 201 of the Criminal Code handles murder as a distinct offense with its own special sentencing framework. While most Class A felonies have a maximum sentence of 30 years and fines up to $50,000, the penalty for murder is more severe. For murder convictions, the state requires a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison, with the option of life imprisonment. This is the harshest punishment offenders face, as the state banned the death penalty (capital punishment) in 1887.
Can First Degree Felony Records Be Sealed or Expunged in Maine?
In Maine, Class A crimes (first-degree felonies) are some of the most serious crimes and are not eligible for expungement under state law.
Sealing typically involves hiding criminal convictions from the public, except for eligible individuals or agencies (e.g., law enforcement officers, courts, etc.). In contrast, expungement is the process of completely erasing criminal convictions.
A recent Maine law (LD 2236), enacted in 2024, allows eligible individuals to seal any Class E crime (such as Driving to Endanger or Theft of less than $500), provided they comply with certain requirements. Applicants must have completed a four-year waiting period since finishing their sentence, have no new convictions, and have no pending convictions. The 2024 law also expands eligibility to include certain marijuana offenses (Class D or E).
Alternatively, offenders may have their Class A criminal convictions removed from the Maine SBI if they receive a pardon from the Governor. Pardons are, however, rare and involve a lengthy process in Maine.
Difference Between First Degree and Second Degree Felonies in Maine
Maine classifies felonies as Class A, B, or C crimes, instead of first degree, second degree, or third degree, which are more common in most US states. However, the seriousness and legal penalties of Class A crimes (the most serious felonies) and Class B crimes (less severe) are similar to the first- and second-degree felony categories used in other states.
In Maine, Class A crimes (first-degree felonies) carry prison sentences of up to 30 years and fines of up to $50,000. Class A crimes typically involve severe violence or threats to life and pose considerable risks to public safety. These offenses usually comprise aggravated assault resulting in bodily injury, gross sexual assault, certain aggravated drug trafficking offenses, or kidnapping (Class A).
In contrast, Class B crimes (second-degree felonies) are also serious offenses but carry less severe penalties compared to Class A crimes. Class B crimes are punishable by up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $20,000. Offenses in this category include burglary of a home, certain drug trafficking crimes, or robbery without the use of a dangerous weapon.
| Felony Level | Common Crimes | Sentencing Range |
|---|---|---|
| Class A crimes (First-degree felonies) | Aggravated murder, gross sexual assault, elevated aggravated assault, large-scale drug trafficking | Up to 30 years in prison; fine up to $50,000 (Murder: minimum 25 years to life, no maximum fine specified) |
| Class B crimes (Second-degree felonies) | Burglary of a Dwelling, Robbery (without a dangerous weapon), Certain Drug Trafficking Offenses | Up to 10 years in prison; fine up to $20,000 |
Statute of Limitations for First Degree Felony Charges in Maine
In Maine, most Class A crimes (first-degree felonies) have a statute of limitations of six years. This means prosecutors have to file criminal charges within six years of the commission of these offenses, or such cases may be dismissed. Gross sexual assault and other unlawful sexual conduct have an extended time limit of 20 years. There are no time limits for charges related to Class A crimes, such as criminal homicide and sexual assault committed against a victim younger than 16 years.
Probation and Parole Eligibility for First Degree Felonies in Maine
In Maine, there are limited opportunities for probation for Class A (first-degree) crimes. Although judges may impose probation alternatives (e.g., split sentences) under Title 17-A § 1802, the law does not allow probation for murder or cases where granting it would lessen the severity of offenses. Under the Criminal Code, the maximum probation period for a Class A crime is 4 years. However, this may extend to 18 years if the victim is under 12, or 6 years if the victim is a family member.
Maine does not use traditional parole systems for Class A felony sentences. Therefore, offenders do not qualify for parole. They may, however, earn "good time" credits, which reduce time served.
| Term | Definition | Eligible for First Degree Felons |
|---|---|---|
| Probation | Court-ordered community supervision is an alternative to serving all or part of a prison sentence. | Available for some Class A cases, but not for murder or crimes with mandatory minimum sentences (e.g., certain drug trafficking or gross sexual assault convictions). Judges may impose probation for other Class A crimes when statutes allow. |
| Parole | Early supervised release after serving part of a prison sentence. | Parole is not available in Maine. The state banned it in 1976. Offenders serve their sentences subject only to good-time credits and possible supervised release provisions after prison. |
Impact of a First Degree Felony Conviction on Criminal Records in Maine
In Maine, Class A criminal charges (first-degree) and convictions have short and long-term implications that are more than lengthy jail terms. Some of these consequences are discussed as follows:
Firearm Possession: Under Maine law, anyone convicted of a felony crime is banned from possessing a firearm for life.
Voting Rights: Although Maine's law does not restrict offenders' voting rights, felony criminal records may hamper their ability to vote elsewhere.
Travel Restrictions: Individuals with felony records may face travel and immigration restrictions from countries that prohibit entry for persons with criminal records.
Employment: Getting a job with a felony conviction often presents a significant challenge for a convicted person. Many employers worry about employing someone with a criminal record due to workplace safety, liability, and public image. As a result, convicted individuals may be limited to low-wage, unstable job options.