Felony Theft Amount and Penalties in Maine

The dollar amount that makes theft a felony in Maine, and the felony and misdemeanor classes and penalties that apply.

Short answer: Theft by unauthorized taking is a Class E crime as the base offense. More than $500 but not more than $1,000 — Class D. More than $1,000 but not more than $10,000 — Class C (maximum 5 years).More than $10,000 — Class B. 17-A M.R.S. § 353(1)

How much theft is a felony	Theft by unauthorized taking is a Class E crime as the base offense. More than $500 but not more than $1,000 — Class D. More than $1,000 but not more than $10,000 — Class C (maximum 5 years).More than $10,000 — Class B. Regardless of value, theft is Class B if the property is a firearm or explosive device or the person is armed with a dangerous weapon, and Class C with two or more qualifying prior theft-type convictions. Source: 17-A M.R.S. § 353(1)
Felony classes and maximum sentences	Maine's Criminal Code does not use the terms felony and misdemeanor; '[e]xcept 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' (§ 4). The more serious classes, unless a different maximum is specified by statute: Class A — maximum 30 years imprisonment and fine up to $50,000; Class B — 10 years and $20,000; Class C — 5 years and $5,000. Murder: imprisonment for life or for any term of years that is not less than 25 (§ 1603). Fines: https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/17-A/title17-Asec1704.html Source: 17-A M.R.S. §§ 4, 1603, 1604(1), 1704
Misdemeanor classes and maximum penalties	The lower classes, unless a different maximum is specified by statute: Class D — imprisonment of less than one year and a fine up to $2,000; Class E — 6 months and a fine up to $1,000 (§§ 1604(1), 1704). Civil violations are 'expressly declared not to be criminal offenses' and are enforced in a civil action for a fine, penalty or other sanction or a forfeiture; a law that prohibits conduct but provides no imprisonment penalty is a civil violation (§ 4-B). Civil violations: https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/17-A/title17-Asec4-B.html Source: 17-A M.R.S. §§ 4-B, 1604(1), 1704

More Maine criminal law

FAQ

How much do you have to steal for it to be a felony in Maine?

Theft by unauthorized taking is a Class E crime as the base offense. More than $500 but not more than $1,000 — Class D. More than $1,000 but not more than $10,000 — Class C (maximum 5 years).More than $10,000 — Class B. Regardless of value, theft is Class B if the property is a firearm or explosive device or the person is armed with a dangerous weapon, and Class C with two or more qualifying prior theft-type convictions.

What are the felony classes and maximum sentences in Maine?

Maine's Criminal Code does not use the terms felony and misdemeanor; '[e]xcept 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' (§ 4). The more serious classes, unless a different maximum is specified by statute: Class A — maximum 30 years imprisonment and fine up to $50,000; Class B — 10 years and $20,000; Class C — 5 years and $5,000. Murder: imprisonment for life or for any term of years that is not less than 25 (§ 1603).

What are the misdemeanor classes and penalties in Maine?

The lower classes, unless a different maximum is specified by statute: Class D — imprisonment of less than one year and a fine up to $2,000; Class E — 6 months and a fine up to $1,000 (§§ 1604(1), 1704). Civil violations are 'expressly declared not to be criminal offenses' and are enforced in a civil action for a fine, penalty or other sanction or a forfeiture; a law that prohibits conduct but provides no imprisonment penalty is a civil violation (§ 4-B).

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.