Criminal Justice (Sentencing)

signed · Maine · House Jan 11, 2026

LD 411: An Act To Amend The Law Governing The Disposition Of Forfeited Firearms

This bill (LD 411) changes Maine law regarding firearms seized as part of criminal cases. It requires all firearms forfeited under certain criminal sentences - including those used in murder or unlawful homicide - to be destroyed by the state, removing a previous exception that allowed third parties to claim ownership. The bill also aligns juvenile court procedures for firearm forfeiture with these updated adult sentencing rules. These changes apply to both adult criminal cases and juvenile proceedings involving firearms used in qualifying offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves third-party claim exception for forfeited firearms, preventing reuse in crimes and strengthening public safety within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Juvenile Justice Sentencing

failed · Maine · Senate Apr 1, 2025

LD 986: An Act To Eliminate The Crime Of Felony Murder

LD 986 eliminates the crime of felony murder in Maine by repealing the legal definition of felony murder (17-A MRSA §202) and removing all references to it from other statutes. This directly affects individuals currently charged or convicted under felony murder statutes, as it removes this specific criminal classification from the law. The bill amends multiple sections of Maine law to delete cross-references to felony murder, including in murder sentencing and juvenile court procedures. The change shifts how certain violent crimes are prosecuted, removing felony murder as a separate charge while maintaining other related offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates felony murder, a harsh sentencing doctrine, aligning with reform goals to reduce excessive penalties and protect defendants' rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Sentencing

Track

failed · Maine · Senate May 13, 2025

LD 1817: An Act To Implement The Recommendation Of The Maine Commission On Public Defense Services To Eliminate The Crime Of Violation Of Condition Of Release

LD 1817 eliminates the criminal charge of "Violation of Condition of Release" from Maine law, specifically targeting cases where the violation relates to conditions tied to domestic violence cases. It directly affects people on pretrial release who might otherwise face new criminal charges for minor breaches like missing a check-in or failing to report, particularly when the original case involved family or household members. The bill repeals Section 1092 of Title 15 (which created the offense) and amends sentencing laws to remove references to this violation, ensuring such breaches are no longer treated as new crimes. This change applies specifically to conditions related to domestic violence cases as defined under Maine law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates criminal charge for minor release violations in domestic cases, reducing unnecessary criminalization and advancing reform in criminal procedure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing

Track

failed · Maine · House May 22, 2025

LD 421: An Act To Eliminate Barriers To Reentry Into The Community After Incarceration By Repealing Certain Driver'S License Suspension Provisions

LD 421 repeals Maine law provisions that allowed courts to suspend a driver's license for up to 5 years for certain drug-related offenses. It specifically targets suspensions for crimes including drug trafficking, counterfeit drug trafficking, and aggravated marijuana cultivation. The bill removes the legal authority for courts to impose these license suspensions when sentencing individuals convicted of those specific offenses. This change directly affects people convicted of the listed drug crimes by eliminating a barrier to driving privileges upon reentry into the community after incarceration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves license suspensions for drug offenses, reducing barriers to reentry and aligning with criminal justice reform goals like rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Probation & Parole Sentencing

Track

failed · Maine · House Jun 5, 2025

LD 332: An Act To Establish Mandatory Minimum Sentences For Gross Sexual Assaults Against Children And Aggravated Sex Trafficking Of Children

LD 332 establishes mandatory minimum prison sentences for specific crimes involving children under 12. It requires courts to impose at least 25 years for gross sexual assault against children under 12 (with no suspended time), life imprisonment for repeat offenders convicted of similar crimes against children under 12, and a minimum 25-year sentence for aggravated sex trafficking involving children under 12. The bill directly affects defendants convicted of these offenses by removing judicial discretion for the minimum sentence length. These provisions apply to cases where the state proves the crime involved a child under 12, as specified in Maine’s criminal code.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates 25+ year sentences with no judicial discretion for child sex crimes, increasing mandatory sentencing severity per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Sentencing Violent Crime

Track

signed · Maine · House Jun 9, 2025

LD 1074: An Act To Remove The Limit On The Length Of Probation That May Be Served For Aggravated Attempted Murder

LD 1074 removes the maximum probation period for individuals convicted of aggravated attempted murder in Maine. Currently, probation for such crimes is capped at 4 years (the same limit as for other Class A offenses), but this bill eliminates that cap. The law now specifies that probation for aggravated attempted murder can be set for any term of years, meaning there is no maximum length. This directly affects sentencing for this specific offense, granting judges discretion to impose probation without time restrictions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves 4-year probation cap for aggravated attempted murder, enabling longer supervision terms and opposing reform trends that seek to limit sentence lengths for serious offenses.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

signed · Maine · Senate Apr 16, 2026

LD 981: An Act To Provide Electronic Notification To Victims Of Crimes

LD 981 allows victims of crimes to receive electronic notifications (via email, text, or app) instead of only written mail for key updates about criminal cases. It directly affects victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and crimes involving serious physical trauma or financial loss, requiring prosecutors and corrections to seek their consent for electronic notice. Key provisions mandate that electronic notices must include details like court hearing times, sentencing opportunities, and defendant release dates, with a new automated system to handle these notifications 24/7 in English and Spanish. The bill also allocates $575,000 for developing this system, which must provide access to community support resources.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnhances victim rights and system responsiveness by mandating electronic notifications with consent, aligning with criminal justice reform priorities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing Victims' Rights

signed · Maine · House Jun 24, 2025

LD 1113: An Act Regarding Fairness In Sentencing For Persons Under 26 Years Of Age

This bill prohibits life imprisonment without the possibility of supervised community confinement after 15 years for individuals convicted of crimes while under 26 years old. It directly affects people sentenced to life without parole for offenses committed before their 26th birthday. The key provision requires automatic review after 15 years of incarceration, allowing eligible individuals to transition to supervised community confinement. This applies to all crimes, including aggravated attempted murder under existing sentencing rules. The law creates a clear pathway for potential release after 15 years for this specific age group.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill eliminates life without parole for under-26s, mandates automatic review after 15 years, and enables supervised community transition - directly advancing criminal justice reform by reducing harsh sentences and promoting rehabilitation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

failed · Maine · House Apr 17, 2025

LD 1335: An Act To Prohibit Life Sentences

LD 1335 prohibits life sentences for individuals convicted of crimes in Maine on or after January 1, 2026. It requires courts to impose a definite term of imprisonment of at least 25 years instead of life sentences or sentences deemed "equivalent to life" (defined as a term reasonably expected to last the person's lifetime based on factors like age at sentencing). The bill applies to all crimes under Maine's criminal code, including murder and aggravated attempted murder, but allows life sentences for convictions prior to 2026. It amends multiple sections of Maine's criminal code to implement this change and define the key term "term of years equivalent to imprisonment for life."

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits life sentences, mandates 25-year terms instead, aligns with criminal justice reform by reducing harsh sentencing and promoting rehabilitation-focused alternatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

Track

failed · Maine · House May 7, 2025

LD 268: An Act To Restore Sentencing Discretion To The Judiciary By Removing Mandatory Minimum Sentences Of Incarceration

LD 268 removes mandatory minimum prison sentences for all criminal cases in Maine, effective January 1, 2026. It requires judges to exercise discretion in sentencing, allowing them to impose sentences below previously fixed minimum terms. The bill directs the Criminal Law Advisory Commission to identify all mandatory sentencing provisions in Maine law by December 3, 2025, and propose changes to convert them into maximum terms. This affects all defendants convicted of crimes under Maine law and shifts sentencing authority from rigid statutes to judicial judgment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves mandatory minimum sentences, restoring judicial discretion to reduce overly harsh sentencing and align with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

Track