1. It is a defense that, when a person engages in conduct that would otherwise constitute a crime, the person is compelled to do so by threat of imminent death or serious bodily injury to that person or another person or because that person was compelled to do so by force.

[PL 2007, c. 173, §19 (AMD).]

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Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 17-A Sec. 103-A

  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
2. For purposes of this section, compulsion exists only if the force, threat or circumstances are such as would have prevented a reasonable person in the defendant‘s situation from resisting the pressure.

[PL 1981, c. 324, §26 (NEW).]

3. The defense set forth in this section is not available:
A. To a person who intentionally or knowingly committed the homicide for which the person is being tried; [PL 2007, c. 173, §19 (AMD).]
B. To a person who recklessly placed that person in a situation in which it was reasonably probable that the person would be subjected to duress; or [PL 2007, c. 173, §19 (AMD).]
C. To a person who with criminal negligence placed that person in a situation in which it was reasonably probable that the person would be subjected to duress, whenever criminal negligence suffices to establish culpability for the offense charged. [PL 2007, c. 173, §19 (AMD).]

[PL 2007, c. 173, §19 (AMD).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1981, c. 324, §26 (NEW). PL 2007, c. 173, §19 (AMD).