1. Definition. A person commits a Class E crime if, with criminal negligence as defined in Title 17?A, that person drives a motor vehicle in any place in a manner that endangers the property of another or a person, including the operator or passenger in the motor vehicle being driven.

[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

Attorney's Note

Under the Maine Revised Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Class C crimeup to 5 yearsup to $5,000
Class E crimeup to 6 monthsup to $1,000
For details, see Me. Rev. Stat. Title 17-A § 1604

Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 2413

  • Allegation: something that someone says happened.
  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • License: includes , but is not limited to, a nonresident operating privilege and the privilege of a person to apply for or obtain a license or permit to operate a motor vehicle. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101
  • Motor vehicle: means a self-propelled vehicle not operated exclusively on railroad tracks, but does not include:
A. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101
  • Operator: means an individual who drives or is in control of a vehicle or who is exercising control over or steering a towed vehicle. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101
  • Person: means an individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, fiduciary, trust, estate or any other legal or commercial entity. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101
  • Vehicle: means a device for conveyance of persons or property on a way. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101
  • 1-A. Aggravated punishment category. Notwithstanding subsection 1, a person commits a Class C crime if, with criminal negligence as defined in Title 17?A, section 35, that person drives a motor vehicle in any place in a manner that endangers the property of another or a person, including the operator or passenger in the motor vehicle being driven, and causes serious bodily injury, as defined in Title 17?A, section 2, subsection 23, to another person.

    [PL 2005, c. 441, §1 (NEW).]

    2. Allegation of facts. In pleading under this section, it is not necessary to allege specifically the facts that constitute criminal negligence.

    [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

    3. Penalties. In addition to any other penalty, the court shall suspend the driver’s license of a person convicted under subsection 1 for not less than 30 days nor more than 180 days, which minimum may not be suspended. In addition to any other penalty, the court shall suspend the driver’s license of a person convicted under subsection 1?A for not less than 180 days nor more than 2 years, which minimum may not be suspended. If the court fails to suspend the license, the Secretary of State shall impose the minimum period of suspension. The court shall impose a sentencing alternative that involves a fine of not less than $575, which may not be suspended. If a person’s license is suspended under section 2453 or 2453?A arising out of the same occurrence, the period of time the license has been suspended under section 2453 or 2453?A prior to conviction must be deducted from the period of suspension under this subsection.

    [PL 2017, c. 107, §1 (AMD).]

    4. Exception. This section does not apply to the operation of a vehicle:
    A. In racing events and exhibitions at which the public does not have access to the operating area; or [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
    B. On private land to which the public does not have access when used by or with authorization of the landowner. [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

    [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

    5. Notice. The court shall give notice of the suspension and take physical custody of a driver’s license as provided in section 2434.

    [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

    SECTION HISTORY

    PL 1993, c. 683, §A2 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 683, §B5 (AFF). PL 2005, c. 12, §JJ2 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 441, §§1,2 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 683, §B23 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 107, §1 (AMD).