Violent crimes are serious offenses made against another person, typically through fear, physical harm, or the threat of physical harm. These charges are harshly prosecuted and can be classed in a variety of ways, depending on the circumstances of the crime committed and the offender’s criminal record.
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Classification of violent crimes in Maine
When you are charged with a violent crime, there is a lot of information that you should be aware of. For example, Maine no longer charges criminal offenses as misdemeanors or felonies; rather, crimes fall under different classes, based on the particular offense and the offender’s criminal history.
In order to make sure that you understand all of the necessary information regarding your charges, it is essential that you call a Maine criminal defense attorney at Law Office of William T. Bly as soon as you are charged with a violent crime. There are 5 classes of criminal charges and they include the following:
Class A Crimes
Most serious types of crimes in the state, punishable by incarceration up to 30 years and fines up to $50,000
Class B Crimes
Punishable by incarceration up to 10 years and fines up to $20,000
Class C Crimes
Punishable by incarceration up to 5 years and fines up to $5,000
Class D Crimes
Punishable by incarceration up to 364 days and fines up to $2,000
Class E Crimes
Least serious crimes in the state, punishable by incarceration up to 6 months and fines up to $1,000
Class A charges cover the most serious crimes like felony murder and manslaughter. Class B crimes are also some of the worst offenses, like aggravated assault.
Class C offenses include crimes like assault of a minor. Common Class D crimes include reckless conduct and stalking. All of these offenses are examples of violent crimes and can result in the penalties listed above.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact us online to schedule a consult with one of our highly skilled OUI & criminal defense attorneys today.
Types of Violent Crimes in Maine
- Reckless Conduct: Generic offense defined as conduct through which a person recklessly puts others at the risk of serious bodily injury. The crime is a Class D offense, but the charges could be increased if a motor vehicle was involved in the offense.
- Stalking: An offender could be charged with stalking if they intentionally or knowingly act in such a way toward a specific person that they feel distressed and have reason to fear for their life and safety or the lives and safety of close ones. A course of conduct must be demonstrated by the prosecuting attorney as one of the elements of the crime. Stalking is a Class D offense.
- Terrorizing: This offense could be charged if the offender communicates to another person a threat to commit or to cause to be committed a violent crime that is dangerous to human life, against that individual or another, in order to place them in reasonable fear for their life or safety. Terrorizing is a Class D offense.
- Criminal Threatening: Criminal threatening involves intentionally or knowingly placing a person in fear of imminent bodily injury and is often charged with other crimes, such as assault. Criminal threatening is a Class D offense.
- Assault: This crime can be charged if the offender knowingly, recklessly, or intentionally caused bodily harm or offensive physical contact to someone else. If the crime does not result in serious injury, it could be charged as a Class D offense. If it is charged with aggravated assault, the offender could face incarceration up to 10 years and fines up to $10,000.
- Aggravated Assault: When an assault occurs that involves the use of a weapon, serious injury or any other tactic that shows the offender has little disregard for the victim’s life, it is considered aggravated assault. This crime is a Class B felony and can lead to up to 10 years in jail.
- Manslaughter: Manslaughter is charged when the offender causes the death of another through recklessness or criminal negligence. Manslaughter convictions are treated very harshly and are Class A offenses.
- Murder: This offense is charged when the offender knowingly or intentionally causes the death of another person. Maine does not impose the death penalty, and an offender convicted of murder faces incarceration of 25 years to life.
Contact our Violence Crimes Defense Lawyers in Maine
When any of the violent crimes listed above occur in a domestic setting between spouses, family members or two or more people who share an intimate relationship, they are considered domestic violence. Domestic violence offenses often carry steeper penalties and can also result in protective orders being filed.
Crimes like domestic violence assault are ruled similar to simple assault, but criminal histories are more closely examined. Any evidence of past violence or domestic disputes will increase the charge from a Class D to a Class C crime. Violence against minors will also lead to more serious charges. Other domestic violence charges include stalking, terrorizing and reckless conduct.
If you have been charged with any of the crimes described above, contacting a skilled criminal defense attorney right away is an important step toward protecting your rights. The criminal defense attorneys at The Maine Criminal Defense Group have successfully helped many clients avoid serious penalties, and we may be able to help you too.
We serve all of Maine with offices located conveniently in Kennebunk, Brunswick, & Portland. Contact our experienced attorneys to discuss your case today.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact us online to schedule a consult with one of our highly skilled OUI & criminal defense attorneys today.
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