An Act To Recodify and Revise Certain Portions of the Maine Criminal Code
PART A
Sec. A-1. 17-A MRSA Pt. 3, as amended, is repealed.
Sec. A-2. 17-A MRSA Pt. 6 is enacted to read:
PART 6
PUNISHMENTS
CHAPTER 61
GENERAL SENTENCING PROVISIONS
§ 1501. Purposes
The general purposes of the provisions of this Part are to:
§ 1502. Authorized sentences
§ 1503. Sanctions for organizations
§ 1504. Forfeiture of firearms
(1) Title 15, section 393;
(2) Section 1105-A, subsection 1, paragraph C-1;
(3) Section 1105-B, subsection 1, paragraph C;
(4) Section 1105-C, subsection 1, paragraph C-1;
(5) Section 1105-D, subsection 1, paragraph B-1;
(6) Section 1105-E, subsection 1, paragraph B; or
(7) Section 1118-A, subsection 1, paragraph B;
CHAPTER 63
SENTENCES OF IMPRISONMENT
§ 1601. Definite term of imprisonment required
In imposing a sentencing alternative pursuant to section 1502 that includes a term of imprisonment, the court shall set a definite term of imprisonment.
§ 1602. Sentencing procedure
§ 1603. Imprisonment for crime of murder
§ 1604. Imprisonment for crimes other than murder
For purposes of this subsection, the applicable sentencing class is determined in accordance with subsection 5, paragraph A.
This subsection 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.
(1) 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.
(2) Section 9-A governs the use of prior convictions when determining a sentence, except that, for the purposes of this paragraph, for violations under chapter 11, the dates of prior convictions may have occurred at any time.
This paragraph does not apply to section 210-A if the prior convictions have already served to elevate the sentencing class under section 210-A, subsection 1, paragraph C or E or any other offense in which prior convictions have already served to elevate the sentencing class.
§ 1605. Suspension of all or part of the term of imprisonment imposed
Unless the law that the individual is convicted of violating expressly provides that an authorized term of imprisonment may not be suspended, if the individual is eligible for probation as authorized by chapter 67, subchapter 1 or administrative release as authorized by chapter 67, subchapter 2, a sentencing court may suspend the authorized term of imprisonment in whole or in part and accompany the suspension with a period of probation, which may not exceed the maximum period of probation authorized for the crime pursuant to section 1804, or a period of administrative release, which may not exceed one year.
§ 1606. General inapplicability of deductions under chapter 81 in setting the term of imprisonment
If a court imposes a sentencing alternative pursuant to section 1502 that includes a term of imprisonment, in setting the appropriate length of that term, as well as an unsuspended portion of that term, if any, the court may not consider the potential impact of deductions under chapter 81 except in the context of a plea agreement in which both parties are recommending to the court a particular disposition under the Maine Rules of Unified Criminal Procedure, Rule 11-A.
§ 1607. Prohibition against imprisonment based on incapacity to pay fine
If a court finds that an individual has met the burden of proving incapacity to pay a fine pursuant to section 1702, subsection 2, the court may not impose a term of imprisonment or any other sentencing alternative involving imprisonment solely for the reason that the individual does not have the present or future capacity to pay the fine.
§ 1608. Multiple sentences of imprisonment
§ 1609. Nonconcurrent sentence for crime attempted or committed while in execution of term of imprisonment
Notwithstanding section 1608, when an individual subject to an undischarged term of imprisonment is convicted of a crime committed while in execution of any term of imprisonment or of an attempt to commit a crime while in execution of any term of imprisonment, the sentence is not concurrent with any undischarged term of imprisonment. The court may order that any undischarged term of imprisonment be tolled and service of the nonconcurrent sentence commence immediately and the court shall so order if any undischarged term of imprisonment is a split sentence. No portion of the nonconcurrent sentence may be suspended. Any sentence that the convicted individual receives as a result of the conviction of a crime or attempt to commit a crime while in execution of a term of imprisonment must be nonconcurrent with all other sentences.
This section applies to prisoners on supervised community confinement pursuant to Title 34-A, section 3036-A.
§ 1610. Place of imprisonment
§ 1611. Commitments to Department of Corrections of bound-over juveniles who have not attained 18 years of age at the time of sentencing
A juvenile who has been bound over, pursuant to Title 15, section 3101, subsection 4, who is subsequently, as to the juvenile crime's adult counterpart, convicted and sentenced to a sentencing alternative involving imprisonment and who has not attained 18 years of age at the time of sentence imposition must be committed to a Department of Corrections juvenile correctional facility for an indeterminate period not to extend beyond the juvenile's 18th birthday to serve the term of imprisonment or any unsuspended portion until discharge from the juvenile correctional facility, and once discharged the juvenile must be transferred to a correctional facility in which adult individuals are confined to serve out the remainder of the imprisonment term or unsuspended portion, if any.
§ 1612. Tolling of sentence of noncompliant witness
In the event a witness in a grand jury or criminal proceeding has been ordered confined by a court in the State as a remedial coercive sanction for refusing to comply with an order of the court to testify or provide evidence, and that witness is already in execution of an undischarged term of imprisonment on a sentence in the State, that court may order that the undischarged term of imprisonment be tolled for the duration of the coercive imprisonment.
CHAPTER 65
FINES, FEES, ASSESSMENTS AND SURCHARGES
SUBCHAPTER 1
FINES
§ 1701. Definite fine amount required
In imposing a sentencing alternative pursuant to section 1502 that includes a fine, the court shall set a specific amount of money.
§ 1702. Criteria for imposing sentencing alternative that includes fine
§ 1703. Use of fine relative to individuals
Except when specifically precluded, in choosing the appropriate punishment for an individual convicted of a crime, the court shall consider the desirability of imposing a sentencing alternative involving a fine either in conjunction with or in lieu of a sentencing alternative involving imprisonment. A sentencing alternative involving imprisonment may not be imposed by a court solely for the reason that the individual does not have the present or future financial capacity to pay a fine.
§ 1704. Maximum fine amounts authorized for convicted individuals
An individual who has been convicted of a Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D or Class E crime may be sentenced to pay a fine. Except as provided in section 1706 and unless a different maximum fine is specified by statute, the maximum fine that may be imposed by a court on a convicted individual is as follows:
§ 1705. Maximum fine amounts authorized for convicted organizations
An organization that has been convicted of murder or a Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D or Class E crime may be sentenced to pay a fine. Except as provided in section 1706 and unless a different maximum fine is specified by statute, the maximum fine that may be imposed by a court on a convicted organization is as follows:
§ 1706. Exceptions to maximum fine amounts
Notwithstanding the maximum fine amounts specified in sections 1704 and 1705, a court may impose fines as provided in this section.
As used in this subsection, "pecuniary gain" means the amount of money or the value of property at the time of the commission of the crime derived by the person from the commission of the crime.
§ 1707. Multiple fines imposed on convicted person
When multiple fines are imposed on a convicted person at the same time or when a fine is imposed on a convicted person already subject to an unpaid or partly unpaid fine, the fines must be cumulative, unless the court specifies that only the highest single fine must be paid in the case of offenses based on the same conduct or arising out of the same criminal episode or for other good cause stated on the record or in the sentences.
§ 1708. Time and method of payment of fines imposed on convicted person
§ 1709. Post-conviction relief invalidating conviction; potential return of fine payments
If, in any judicial proceeding following conviction, a court issues a final judgment invalidating the conviction, the judgment may include an order that a fine payment or any part of a fine payment that the convicted person paid pursuant to the sentence for that conviction be returned to that person.
§ 1710. Modification of payment of fine
If a convicted person who has been sentenced to pay a fine is in danger of default, that person shall move the court for a modification of time or method of payment to avoid a default. The court may modify its prior order to allow additional time for payment or to reduce the amount of each installment.
§ 1711. Default
For purposes of this subsection, "convicted person" includes an individual or individuals authorized to make disbursements from the assets of a convicted organization.
(1) Commit the person to the custody of the sheriff until all or a specified part of the fine is paid. The length of confinement in a county jail for unexcused default must be specified in the court's order and may not exceed 6 months. A person committed for nonpayment of a fine is given credit toward the payment of the fine for each day of confinement that the person is in custody at the rate specified in the court's order, which may not be less than $25 or more than $100 of unpaid fine for each day of confinement. The person is also given credit for each day that the person is detained as the result of an arrest warrant issued pursuant to this section. A person is responsible for paying any fine remaining after receiving credit for confinement and detention. A default on the remaining fine is also governed by this section; or
(2) If the unexcused default relates to a fine imposed for a Class C, Class D or Class E crime, as authorized by this subchapter, order the person to perform a specified number of hours of community service work for the benefit of the State, a county, a municipality, a school administrative district or other public entity, a charitable institution or other entity approved by the court until all or a specified part of the fine is paid. The number of hours of community service work must be specified in the court's order and the person must receive a credit against the unpaid fine at a rate equal to the current hourly minimum wage. A person ordered to perform community service work pursuant to this subparagraph is given credit toward the payment of the fine for each 8-hour day of community service work performed. The person is also given credit toward the payment of the fine for each day that the person is detained as a result of an arrest warrant issued pursuant to this section at a rate specified in the court's order that is up to $100 of unpaid fine per day of confinement. A person who fails to complete the work in the manner ordered by the court must be returned to the court to explain the failure. A person is responsible for paying any fine remaining after receiving credit for any detention and for community service work performed. A default on the remaining fine is also governed by this section.
The Department of Corrections is not responsible for supervision of community service work performed pursuant to this subparagraph.
§ 1712. Deposit of certain fines in Maine Military Family Relief Fund
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, if a person is convicted under section 354, subsection 2, paragraph A of theft by deception due to that person's intentional creation or reinforcement of a false impression that the person is a veteran or a member of the Armed Forces of the United States or a state military force, any fine imposed on that person by the court must be deposited in the Maine Military Family Relief Fund established in Title 37-B, section 158.
SUBCHAPTER 2
FEES, ASSESSMENTS AND SURCHARGES
§ 1751. County jail reimbursement fee
Any reimbursement fee assessed must be collected by the county treasurer of the county in which the individual is incarcerated, paid into the treasury of that county and credited to the county responsible for paying for the incarceration of the individual.
A probation officer who knows of a default in payment of a reimbursement fee by an individual shall report the default to the office of the attorney for the State or the attorney for the county. If the reimbursement fee was a condition of probation, the attorney for the State or the attorney for the county may file a motion to enforce payment of the reimbursement fee or, with the written consent of the probation officer, the attorney for the State may file a motion to revoke probation under section 1205. If the reimbursement fee was a requirement of administrative release, the attorney for the State or the attorney for the county may file a motion to enforce payment of the reimbursement fee or the attorney for the State may file a motion to revoke administrative release under section 1855. If the reimbursement fee was not a condition of probation or a requirement of administrative release, the attorney for the State or the attorney for the county may file a motion to enforce payment of the reimbursement fee.
§ 1752. Supervision fee as condition of probation
If a court imposes a sentencing alternative authorized under section 1502 that includes a period of probation, it must attach as a condition of probation that the convicted individual pay, through the Department of Corrections, a supervision fee imposed pursuant to section 1807, subsection 5 for the term of probation.
§ 1753. Electronic monitoring fee and substance testing fee as conditions of probation
If a court imposes a sentencing alternative authorized under section 1502 that includes a period of probation, upon the request of the Department of Corrections, the court shall attach as a condition of probation an electronic monitoring fee, a substance testing fee or both, as governed by section 1807, subsection 6.
§ 1754. Fee for applying to Department of Corrections to temporarily or periodically leave jurisdiction
If a court requires as a condition of probation that the convicted individual remain within the jurisdiction of the court, unless permission to leave temporarily is granted in writing by the convicted individual's probation officer, the Department of Corrections may impose on the individual applying for permission to leave either temporarily or periodically an application fee, as governed by section 1807, subsection 7.
§ 1755. Administrative supervision fee as nonmandatory requirement of administrative release
If a court imposes a suspended sentence with administrative release pursuant to section 1853 and attaches requirements for the term of the administrative release, the court-imposed requirements of administrative release may include an administrative supervision fee, as governed by section 1854, subsection 2, paragraph A.
§ 1756. Administrative supervision fee as nonmandatory requirement of deferred disposition
If an individual consents to a deferred disposition pursuant to section 1901 and a court orders sentencing to be deferred and imposes requirements to be in effect during the period of deferment, the court-imposed deferment requirements may include an administrative supervision fee, as governed by sections 1902 and 1903.
§ 1757. Surcharges and assessments outside the code
In addition to the fees authorized by this subchapter, the court shall impose, as applicable, the following surcharges and assessments.
§ 1758. Authority to impose fees, surcharges and assessments
Nothing in this chapter limits the authority of the Supreme Judicial Court to impose fees, surcharges or assessments by administrative order or rule.
CHAPTER 67
CONDITIONAL RELEASE
SUBCHAPTER 1
PROBATION
§ 1801. Definitions
As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
§ 1802. Eligibility for sentencing alternative that includes period of probation
(1) A Class D or Class E crime relative to which, based upon both the written agreement of the parties and a court finding, the facts and circumstances of the underlying criminal episode giving rise to the conviction generated probable cause to believe the person had committed a Class A, Class B or Class C crime in the course of that criminal episode and, as agreed upon in writing by the parties and found by the court, the person does not have a prior conviction for murder or for a Class A, Class B or Class C crime and has not been placed on probation pursuant to this subparagraph on any prior occasion;
(2) 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;
(3) A Class D crime under Title 5, section 4659, subsection 1; Title 15, section 321, subsection 6; or Title 19-A, section 4011, subsection 1;
(4) A Class D or Class E crime in chapter 11 or 12;
(5) A Class D crime under section 210-A;
(6) A Class E crime under section 552;
(7) A Class D or Class E crime under section 556, section 853, section 854, excluding subsection 1, paragraph A, subparagraph (1), or section 855;
(8) A Class D crime in chapter 45 relating to a schedule W drug;
(9) A Class D or Class E crime under Title 29-A, section 2411, subsection 1-A, paragraph B;
(10) A Class D crime under Title 17, section 1031; or
(11) A Class E crime under Title 15, section 1092, subsection 1, paragraph A, if the condition of release violated is specified in Title 15, section 1026, subsection 3, paragraph A, subparagraph (5) or (8) and the underlying crime involved domestic violence;
§ 1803. Definite period of probation required
In imposing a sentencing alternative under section 1502 that includes a period of probation, the court shall set a definite period of probation.
§ 1804. Period of probation; modification; termination and discharge
As used in this subsection, "enumerated Class D or Class E crime" means any Class D crime in chapter 9, any Class D or Class E crime in chapter 11, the Class D crimes described in sections 302 and 506-B and the Class D crimes described in sections 554, 555 and 758.
§ 1805. Partially suspended term of imprisonment with probation or "split sentence"
(1) For a Class D or Class E crime, the court must specify a county jail as the place of imprisonment.
(2) For a Class A, Class B or Class C crime, the court must:
(a) Specify a county jail as the place of imprisonment for any portion of the sentence that is 9 months or less; and
(b) Commit the individual to the Department of Corrections for any portion of the sentence that is more than 9 months.
§ 1806. Wholly suspended term of imprisonment with probation
Unless prohibited pursuant to section 1802, subsection 1, paragraphs A to F, the court may sentence an individual to a term of imprisonment not to exceed the maximum term authorized for the crime, suspend the entire term of imprisonment and accompany the suspension with a period of probation not to exceed the maximum period authorized for the crime, to commence on the date the individual goes into actual execution of the sentence.
§ 1807. Conditions of probation
§ 1808. Community reparations boards
§ 1809. Commencement of probation revocation proceedings by arrest
§ 1810. Commencement of probation revocation proceedings by summons
§ 1811. Initial proceedings on probation violation; filing of motion; initial appearance
§ 1812. Court hearing on probation revocation
The court shall, if possible, inform the person of the intended disposition.
§ 1813. Review
§ 1814. Additional conditions in lieu of probation revocation proceedings
Whenever a probation officer has probable cause to believe that a person under the supervision of that probation officer has violated a condition of probation but the violation does not constitute a crime, the probation officer, instead of commencing a probation revocation proceeding under section 1809, may offer to the person the option of adding one or more of the following conditions to the person's probation:
If the person agrees in writing to the additional conditions under subsection 1 or 2, the conditions must be implemented. If the person does not agree or if the person fails to fulfill the additional conditions to the satisfaction of the probation officer, the probation officer may commence probation revocation proceedings under section 1809 or 1810 for the violation that the probation officer had probable cause to believe occurred. If the person fulfills the additional conditions to the satisfaction of the probation officer, the probation officer shall so notify the person in writing and the probation officer may not commence probation revocation proceedings for the violation that the probation officer had probable cause to believe occurred.
SUBCHAPTER 2
ADMINISTRATIVE RELEASE
§ 1851. Eligibility for sentencing alternative that includes period of administrative release; exceptions
The court may sentence a person who has been convicted of a Class D or Class E crime or a Class C crime under Title 29-A, former section 2557, section 2557-A or section 2558 to a sentencing alternative under section 1502, subsection 2, paragraphs I, J and K for an individual and section 1502, subsection 7, paragraph E for an organization, unless:
§ 1852. Period of administrative release
§ 1853. Suspended sentence with administrative release
§ 1854. Requirements of administrative release
If the court imposes a suspended sentence with administrative release under section 1853, the court shall attach requirements of administrative release, as authorized by this section, as the court determines to be reasonable and appropriate to help ensure accountability and rehabilitation of the person.
§ 1855. Commencement of administrative release revocation proceeding
§ 1856. Court hearing on administrative release revocation
The hearing on a motion to revoke administrative release is governed by section 1812.
§ 1857. Review
Review of a revocation of administrative release pursuant to section 1856 must be by appeal, as provided under section 1813.
SUBCHAPTER 3
SUPERVISED RELEASE FOR SEX OFFENDERS
§ 1881. Inclusion of period of supervised release after imprisonment
If a person has been convicted of violating any provision of section 253 other than section 253, subsection 1, paragraph C, the authorized period of supervised release is:
§ 1882. Conditions of supervised release
If the court imposes a sentence that includes a period of supervised release, it shall set conditions of supervised release. The conditions of release that apply to probation under section 1807 apply to conditions of supervised release. The court may also set conditions of supervised release that it determines to be reasonable and appropriate to manage the person's behavior.
§ 1883. Revocation procedures
The procedures, rights and responsibilities that apply to probation revocation under sections 1809 to 1812, including bail under section 1811, subsections 5 and 6 and appellate review of revocation under section 1813, apply to revocation of supervised release.
SUBCHAPTER 4
DEFERRED DISPOSITION
§ 1901. Eligibility for deferred disposition
A person who has pleaded guilty to a Class C, Class D or Class E crime and who consents to a deferred disposition in writing is eligible for a deferred disposition.
§ 1902. Deferred disposition
§ 1903. Court hearing as to final disposition
§ 1904. Limited review by appeal
A person may not attack the legality of a deferred disposition, including a final disposition, except that a person who has been determined by a court to have inexcusably failed to comply with a court-imposed deferment requirement and thereafter has been sentenced to an alternative authorized for the crime may appeal to the Law Court, but not as of right. The time for taking the appeal and the manner and any conditions for the taking of the appeal are as the Supreme Judicial Court provides by rule.
CHAPTER 69
RESTITUTION
§ 2001. Purpose
The Legislature finds and declares that the victims of crimes often suffer losses through no fault of their own and for which there is no compensation. It also finds that repayment, in whole or in part, by the offender to the victim of the offender's crime can operate to rehabilitate the offender in certain instances. It is the purpose of this chapter to encourage the compensation of victims by the person most responsible for the loss incurred by the victim, the offender. Restitution by the offender can serve to reinforce the offender's sense of responsibility for the offense, to provide the offender the opportunity to pay the offender's debt to society and to the offender's victim in a constructive manner and to ease the burden of the victim as a result of the criminal conduct.
The Legislature recognizes that a crime is an offense against society as a whole, not only against the victim of the crime, and that restitution for victims is therefore ancillary to the central objectives of the criminal law. It intends restitution to be applied only when other purposes of sentencing can be appropriately served.
The Legislature does not intend the use of restitution to result in preferential treatment for offenders with substantial financial resources.
§ 2002. Definitions
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following words have the following meanings.
§ 2003. Mandatory consideration of restitution
§ 2004. Authorized claimants
Restitution may be authorized for:
§ 2005. Criteria for restitution
(1) The number of the offender's dependents;
(2) The minimum living expenses of the offender and the offender's dependents;
(3) The special needs of the offender and the offender's dependents, including necessary travel expense to and from work;
(4) The offender's present income and potential future earning capacity; and
(5) The offender's resources, from whatever source.
§ 2006. Time and method of restitution
When restitution is authorized, and the offender is not committed to the Department of Corrections and does not receive a sentence that includes a period of probation, the time and method of payment or of the performance of the services must be specified by the court and monetary compensation may be ordered paid to the office of the prosecuting attorney who is prosecuting the case or to the clerk of the court. If the offender is committed to the Department of Corrections or receives a sentence that includes a period of probation, monetary compensation must be paid to the Department of Corrections and the time and method of payment must be determined by the Department of Corrections during the term of commitment or the period of probation unless at the time of sentencing the court has specified the time and method of payment. Once any term of commitment to the Department of Corrections or period of probation is completed and if the restitution ordered has not been paid in full, the offender is subject to the provisions of section 2011 and, in the event of a default, the provisions of section 2015. The state agency receiving the restitution shall deposit any money received in the account maintained by the Treasurer of State for deposit of state agency funds, from which funds are daily transferred to an investment account and invested. Interest accrued on that money is the property of and accrues to the State for deposit in the General Fund. The agency receiving the restitution shall make the disbursement to the victim or other authorized claimant as soon as possible after the agency receives the money.
§ 2007. Income withholding order
§ 2008. Deceased victims
An offender's obligation to pay restitution is not affected by the death of the victim to whom the restitution is due. The money collected as restitution must be forwarded to the estate of the victim.
§ 2009. Victim unable to be located
If the location of a victim cannot, with due diligence, be ascertained, the money collected as restitution must be forwarded to the Treasurer of State to be handled as unclaimed property.
§ 2010. Joint and several order
If the victim's financial loss has been caused by more than one offender, the order must designate that the restitution is to be paid on a joint and several basis, unless the court specifically determines that one defendant should not equally share the burden. The agency collecting restitution pursuant to a joint and several order may, after the full amount of restitution has been collected and disbursed to the victim, continue to collect payments from an offender who has not paid an equal share of the restitution and may disburse the money collected to any other offender who has paid more than an equal share of the restitution.
§ 2011. Former Department of Corrections’ clients owing restitution
An offender is responsible for paying any restitution outstanding at the time the term of commitment to the Department of Corrections or period of probation is completed. An offender who has complied with the time and method of payment of monetary compensation determined by the Department of Corrections during the period of probation shall continue to make payments to the Department of Corrections in accordance with that payment schedule unless modified by the court pursuant to section 2014 or 2015. An offender who has not complied with the time and method of payment of monetary compensation determined by the Department of Corrections during the period of probation must be returned to the court for further disposition pursuant to section 2015. An offender who is unconditionally released and discharged from institutional confinement with the Department of Corrections upon the expiration of the sentence must, upon application of the office of the attorney for the State, be returned to the court for specification by the court of the time and method of payment of monetary compensation, which may be ordered paid to the office of the attorney for the State who prosecuted the case or to the clerk of the court. Prior to the offender's release and discharge, the Department of Corrections shall provide the office of the attorney for the State who prosecuted the case written notice as to the amount of restitution outstanding. An income withholding order issued pursuant to section 2007 remains effective and enforceable until the restitution is paid in full, even after an offender is no longer in the custody or under the supervision of the Department of Corrections.
§ 2012. Restitution deducted from judgment in civil action
Any restitution ordered and paid must be deducted from the amount of any judgment awarded in a civil action brought by the victim against the offender based on the same facts. If the restitution ordered and made was work restitution, the reasonable value of the services may be deducted from any such judgment.
§ 2013. Post-conviction relief
If, in any judicial proceeding following conviction, a court issues a final judgment invalidating the conviction, the judgment may include an order that any or all of a restitution payment that the convicted person paid pursuant to the sentence for that conviction be returned to the convicted person.
§ 2014. Modification of restitution
A convicted person who cannot make restitution payments in the manner ordered by the court or determined by the Department of Corrections pursuant to section 2006 shall move the court for a modification of the time or method of payment or service to avoid a default. The court may modify its prior order or the determination of the Department of Corrections to reduce the amount of each installment or to allow additional time for payment or service.
§ 2015. Default
§ 2016. Work program release; restitution
§ 2017. Waiver of issue of excessiveness
If a defendant at the time of sentencing has consented to the imposition by the sentencing court of a specific amount of restitution, the defendant is thereafter precluded from seeking to attack the legality or propriety of the amount of restitution ordered if that amount does not exceed the specific amount consented to by the defendant.
§ 2018. Restitution for benefit of victim
When compensation is awarded from the Victims' Compensation Fund pursuant to Title 5, chapter 316-A, the amount of any restitution ordered to be paid to or for the benefit of the victim and collected as part of a sentence imposed must be paid by the agency collecting the restitution in an amount not to exceed the amount of the payments from the fund, directly to the fund if, when added to the payments from the fund, the restitution exceeds the victim's actual loss.
§ 2019. Civil remedy upon default
Upon the request of the attorney for the State or a person entitled to restitution under an order of restitution, the clerk shall enter the order of restitution in the same manner as a judgment in a civil action. When entered under this section, the order of restitution is deemed to be a money judgment. Upon default, the order to make restitution is enforceable in accordance with Title 14, chapter 502 by any person entitled to restitution under the order.
CHAPTER 71
COMMUNITY SERVICE WORK
§ 2031. Sentencing alternative of community service work; authorization
The court may sentence an individual convicted of a Class D or Class E crime to perform a specified number of hours of community service work for the benefit of the State, a county, a municipality, a school administrative unit or other public entity, a charitable institution or another entity approved by the court.
§ 2032. Modification of community service work
An individual who has been sentenced to perform a specified number of hours of community service work pursuant to section 2031 and who is in danger of default for failing to complete the work in the manner ordered by the court shall move the court for a modification to avoid the default. The court may modify its prior order as to the time for completion, the nature of the work to be performed or the entity for which the work is to be performed.
§ 2033. Default
(1) When the community service work is to be performed;
(2) The entity for whom the work is to be performed; or
(3) The nature of the work to be performed;
The provisions of Rule 66 of the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure do not apply to a hearing on a motion seeking a coercive or punitive sanction imposed pursuant to paragraph C or D.
CHAPTER 73
UNCONDITIONAL DISCHARGE
§ 2051. Sentencing alternative of unconditional discharge
The court shall sentence a convicted person to an unconditional discharge if the court determines that no other authorized sentencing alternative is appropriate punishment and the convicted person is:
A sentence of unconditional discharge is for all purposes a final judgment of conviction.
CHAPTER 75
VICTIMS' RIGHTS
§ 2101. Definitions
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
(1) The underlying crime is one of domestic violence or sexual assault or one in which the family suffered serious physical trauma or serious financial loss; or
(2) Due to death, age, physical or mental disease, disorder or defect, the victim is unable to participate as allowed under this chapter.
As used in this paragraph, "immediate family" means the spouse, domestic partner, parent, child, sibling, stepchild or stepparent of the victim.
§ 2102. Victims to be notified
§ 2103. Plea agreement procedure
When a plea agreement is submitted to the court pursuant to the Maine Rules of Unified Criminal Procedure, Rule 11A (b), the attorney for the State shall disclose to the court any and all attempts made to notify each victim of the plea agreement and any objection to the plea agreement by a victim. A victim who is present in court at the submission of the plea may address the court at that time.
§ 2104. Sentencing procedure
An attorney for the victim may submit a written statement or make an oral statement on the victim's behalf.
§ 2105. Termination or conversion procedure
When the attorney for the State receives notice of a motion seeking early termination of probation or early termination of administrative release or seeking to convert probation to administrative release, the attorney for the State shall disclose to the court any attempts made to notify each victim of the motion to terminate or convert and any objection to the motion by a victim. If a hearing is held on the motion by the court and the victim is present in court, the victim may address the court at that time.
§ 2106. Notification of defendant's release
Upon complying with subsection 1, a victim of a crime of murder or of a Class A, Class B or Class C crime or of a Class D crime under chapters 9, 11 and 12 for which the defendant is committed to the Department of Corrections or to a county jail or is committed to the custody of the Commissioner of Health and Human Services either under Title 15, section 103 after having been found not criminally responsible by reason of insanity or under Title 15, section 101-D after having been found incompetent to stand trial must receive notification of the defendant's unconditional release and discharge from institutional confinement upon the expiration of the sentence or upon release from commitment under Title 15, section 101-D or upon discharge under Title 15, section 104-A and must receive notification of any conditional release of the defendant from institutional confinement, including probation, supervised release for sex offenders, parole, furlough, work release, supervised community confinement, home release monitoring or similar program, administrative release or release under Title 15, section 104-A.
§ 2107. Notification of defendant's release on preconviction bail
For purposes of this section, "crime involving domestic violence" has the same meaning as in Title 15, section 1003, subsection 3-A and includes those crimes under section 152, subsection 1, paragraph A, section 208 and section 208-B when the victim is a family or household member as defined in Title 19-A, section 4002, subsection 4.
§ 2108. Confidentiality of victim records
§ 2109. Certain communications by victims confidential
The following communications are privileged from disclosure.
PART 7
ADMINISTRATION OF IMPOSED SENTENCES OF IMPRISONMENT
CHAPTER 81
ADMINISTRATION OF IMPOSED SENTENCES OF IMPRISONMENT
§ 2301. Definitions
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
§ 2302. General provisions
§ 2303. Commencement of sentence of imprisonment
§ 2304. Notification of commitment to Department of Corrections
At the time of sentencing, the sheriff or the sheriff's designee shall notify the Commissioner of Corrections or the commissioner's designee that an individual has been committed to the Department of Corrections and shall inquire as to the correctional facility to which the individual must be delivered by the sheriff or the sheriff's designee. The commissioner or the commissioner's designee has complete discretion to determine the initial place of confinement. In making this determination, the commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall review all relevant information, including any available mental health information. The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall immediately inform the sheriff or the sheriff's designee of the location of the correctional facility to which the individual must be transported.
§ 2305. Deductions from sentence of imprisonment for time detained
For the purpose of calculating the day-for-day deduction specified by this subsection, "day" means 24 hours, except that for an individual who commits a crime on or after October 15, 2011, who has been detained for the conduct for which the individual is sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 96 hours or less, any portion of a day detained short of 24 hours must also be deducted from the total term of imprisonment required under that sentence.
Deductions under this subsection must be calculated as follows for partial calendar months:
Days of partial month | Maximum deduction available |
1 to 15 days | up to 1 |
16 to 31 days | up to 2 |
§ 2306. Deductions for time detained; special circumstances
§ 2307. Discretionary deductions for individual who commits crime on or after August 1, 2004, except for certain listed crimes
Deductions under this subsection must be calculated as follows for partial calendar months:
Days of partial month | Maximum deduction available |
1 to 7 days | up to 1 |
8 to 15 days | up to 2 |
16 to 23 days | up to 3 |
24 to 31 days | up to 4 |
Deductions under this subsection must be calculated as follows for partial calendar months:
Days of partial month | Maximum deduction available |
1 to 10 days | up to 1 |
11 to 20 days | up to 2 |
21 to 31 days | up to 3 |
Deductions under this subsection must be calculated as follows for partial calendar months:
Days of partial month | Maximum deduction available |
1 to 15 days | up to 1 |
16 to 31 days | up to 2 |
§ 2308. Discretionary deductions based on conduct and fulfillment of responsibilities for individuals who commit certain crimes on or after August 1, 2004
Deductions under this subsection must be calculated as follows for partial calendar months:
Days of partial month | Maximum deduction available |
1 to 6 days | up to 1 |
7 to 12 days | up to 2 |
13 to 18 days | up to 3 |
19 to 24 days | up to 4 |
25 to 31 days | up to 5 |
§ 2309. Discretionary deductions based on conduct and participation for individual who committed crime on or after October 1, 1995 but before August 1, 2004
Deductions under this subsection must be calculated as follows for partial calendar months:
Days of partial month | Maximum deduction available |
1 to 6 days | up to 1 |
7 to 12 days | up to 2 |
13 to 18 days | up to 3 |
19 to 24 days | up to 4 |
25 to 31 days | up to 5 |
§ 2310. Deductions for individual who committed crime before October 1, 1995 and was sentenced on or after October 1, 1983
Deductions under this subsection must be calculated as follows for partial months:
Days of partial month | Maximum deduction available |
0 to 2 days | 0 |
3 to 5 days | 1 |
6 to 8 days | 2 |
9 to 11 days | 3 |
12 to 14 days | 4 |
15 to 17 days | 5 |
18 to 20 days | 6 |
21 to 23 days | 7 |
24 to 26 days | 8 |
27 to 29 days | 9 |
30 days | 10 |
Deductions under this subsection must be calculated as follows for partial months:
Days of partial month | Maximum deduction available |
0 to 7 days | 0 |
8 to 15 days | 1 |
16 to 23 days | 2 |
24 to 30 days | 3 |
Deductions made under this subsection must be calculated as follows for partial months:
Days of partial month | Maximum deduction available |
1 to 10 days | up to 1 |
11 to 20 days | up to 2 |
21 to 31 days | up to 3 |
Deductions made under this subsection must be calculated as follows for partial months:
Days of partial month | Maximum deduction available |
1 to 15 days | up to 1 |
16 to 31 days | up to 2 |
§ 2311. Deductions for individual who committed crime before October 1, 1995 and was sentenced prior to October 1, 1983
§ 2312. Deductions applicable to concurrent sentences resulting from new criminal conduct while on probation or administrative release
§ 2313. Deductions for individual sentenced prior to effective date of Maine Criminal Code
An individual convicted of an offense committed prior to May 1, 1976 and sentenced under the law then in effect may elect to have that individual's parole eligibility calculated using the deductions based on conduct and participation available to individuals sentenced under this Code. The election must result in the application of deductions pursuant to section 2310. The parole eligibility and deductions based on conduct and participation of an individual who does not so elect must be calculated in accordance with the laws in effect on the date the offense was committed. This section may not be construed to compel or permit discharge of any individual sooner than the discharge would have occurred under the law in effect on the date the offense was committed.
§ 2314. Release from imprisonment
PART B
Sec. B-1. 17-A MRSA §2, sub-§§5-C and 5-D are enacted to read:
Sec. B-2. 17-A MRSA §2, sub-§7-A is enacted to read:
Sec. B-3. 17-A MRSA §2, sub-§14-A is enacted to read:
Sec. B-4. 17-A MRSA §2, sub-§17-A is enacted to read:
Sec. B-5. 17-A MRSA §2, sub-§23-B is enacted to read:
Sec. B-6. 17-A MRSA §2, sub-§§26 and 27 are enacted to read:
Sec. B-7. 17-A MRSA §201, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2001, c. 383, §8 and affected by §156, is further amended to read:
Sec. B-8. 17-A MRSA §207, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. JJ, §1, is amended to read:
Sec. B-9. 17-A MRSA §207, sub-§4 is enacted to read:
Sec. B-10. 17-A MRSA §253, sub-§6, as amended by PL 2001, c. 383, §20 and affected by §156, is repealed.
Sec. B-11. 17-A MRSA §253, sub-§7, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 768, §2, is repealed.
Sec. B-12. 17-A MRSA §253-A is enacted to read:
§ 253-A. Special sentencing provisions for gross sexual assault
As used in this subsection, "repeat sexual assault offender" means a person who commits a new gross sexual assault after having been convicted previously and sentenced for any of the following:
For purposes of determining whether a defendant is a repeat sexual assault offender, the date of sentencing is the date of the oral pronouncement of the sentence by the trial court, even if an appeal is taken.
"Accompanied by sexual assault" as used with respect to attempted murder, murder and crimes involving substantially similar conduct in another jurisdiction is satisfied if it was definitionally an element of the crime or was pleaded and proved.
(1) When the sentencing class for a prior conviction under section 253 is Class A, the court shall enhance the basic period of incarceration by a minimum of 4 years of imprisonment.
(2) When the sentencing class for a prior conviction under section 253 is Class B, the court shall enhance the basic period of incarceration by a minimum of 2 years of imprisonment.
(3) When the sentencing class for a prior conviction under section 253 is Class C, the court shall enhance the basic period of incarceration by a minimum of one year of imprisonment.
Sec. B-13. 17-A MRSA §282, sub-§3 is enacted to read:
Sec. B-14. 17-A MRSA §1125 is enacted to read:
§ 1125. Mandatory minimum term of imprisonment for certain drug offenses
(1) Imposition of a minimum unsuspended term of imprisonment under subsection 1 will result in substantial injustice to the individual. In making this determination, the court shall consider, among other considerations, whether the individual did not know and reasonably should not have known that the victim was less than 18 years of age;
(2) Failure to impose a minimum unsuspended term of imprisonment under subsection 1 will not have an adverse effect on public safety; and
(3) Failure to impose a minimum unsuspended term of imprisonment under subsection 1 will not appreciably impair the effect of subsection 1 in deterring others from violating section 1105-A, 1105-B, 1105-C, 1105-D or 1118-A; and
If the court imposes a sentence under this subsection, the court shall state in writing or on the record its reasons for its findings and for imposing a sentence under this subsection rather than under subsection 1.
Sec. B-15. 17-A MRSA §1126 is enacted to read:
§ 1126. Special sentencing provisions regarding fines for certain drug offenses
Sec. B-16. 29-A MRSA §2412-A, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2003, c. 673, Pt. TT, §5, is further amended to read:
(1) A minimum fine of $1,000, a term of imprisonment of 30 consecutive days and a suspension of license for not less than one year nor more than 3 years consecutive to the original suspension in the event of one prior conviction;
(2) A minimum fine of $2,000, a term of imprisonment of 60 consecutive days and a suspension of license for not less than one year nor more than 3 years consecutive to the original suspension in the event of 2 prior convictions; or
(3) A minimum fine of $3,000, a term of imprisonment of 6 months and a suspension of license for not less than one year nor more than 3 years consecutive to the original suspension in the event of 3 or more prior convictions. The sentencing class for this offense is a Class C crime.
A separate reading of the allegation and a separate trial are not required under this subsection.
Sec. B-17. 29-A MRSA §2412-A, sub-§3-A is enacted to read:
PART C
Sec. C-1. Revisor's review; cross-references. The Revisor of Statutes shall review the Maine Revised Statutes and include in the errors and inconsistencies bill submitted to the First Regular Session of the 128th Legislature pursuant to Title 1, section 94 any sections necessary to correct and update any cross-references in the statutes to provisions of law repealed in this Act.
SUMMARY
This bill, which is being submitted by the Criminal Law Advisory Commission, recodifies and revises the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 17-A, Part 3 and other portions of the Maine Criminal Code and amends other laws affected by this recodification and revision accordingly. The purpose of this bill is to reorganize certain portions of the Maine Criminal Code to be more logical and user-friendly while bringing the language into conformity with current drafting standards, clarifying current law and eliminating inconsistencies within Title 17-A. While much of the revision throughout this bill is intended to be technical in nature, the following changes are more substantive.
Part A recodifies and revises the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 17-A, Part 3.
1. Chapter 61, General Sentencing Provisions, which is the current chapter 47:
2. Chapter 63, Sentences of Imprisonment, which is the current chapter 51:
3. Chapter 65, Fines, Fees, Assessments and Surcharges, gathers various provisions regarding fines, fees, assessments and surcharges from throughout Part 3 into one chapter. Specifically, chapter 65 does the following.
4. Chapter 67, Conditional Release, contains the provisions of law regarding probation, administrative release, supervised release for sex offenders and deferred disposition with the following changes.
5. Chapter 71, Community Service Work, which is the current Chapter 54-C:
6. Chapter 75, Victims' Rights, which is current the chapter 48, provides a definition of "immediate family" of the victim.
7. Chapter 81, Administration of Imposed Sentences of Imprisonment, contains the provisions of law regarding administration of imposed sentences of imprisonment, including the place of commitment and calculations of deductions for time detained prior to and after conviction, including discretionary deductions, and:
Part B makes changes to the current law to reflect the changes made in Part A, including:
1. Adding new definitions of "concurrent sentence," "consecutive sentence," "individual" and "split sentence" for purposes of the Maine Criminal Code;
2. Specifying that the definitions of "day," "week," "month" and "year" apply for the purposes of imposing imprisonment or probation, administrative release or supervised release;
3. Allows the court, but only for an individual, to suspend all or a portion of a minimum fine or impose a lesser fine other than the mandatory fine for certain drug offenses, assault and operating under the influence if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that there are exceptional circumstances that justify imposition of a lesser financial penalty; and
4. For purposes of imposition of a fine based on the value of a scheduled drug that is the basis for a conviction, requires the State to plead and prove the value of the scheduled drug.
Part C provides for the correction and update of other sections of law not touched in the bill, such as cross-references in the Maine Revised Statutes to provisions of law repealed in this bill.