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An Act To Adjust the Values of Property That Define the Class of Crime for Theft Offenses
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 17-A MRSA §353, sub-§1, ¶B, as amended by PL 2007, c. 476, §10, is further amended to read:
 
B. The person violates paragraph A and:
 
(1) The value of the property is more than $10,000$20,000. Violation of this subparagraph is a Class B crime;
 
(2) The property stolen is a firearm or an explosive device. Violation of this subparagraph is a Class B crime;
 
(3) The person is armed with a dangerous weapon at the time of the offense. Violation of this subparagraph is a Class B crime;
 
(4) The value of the property is more than $1,000$5,000 but not more than $10,000$20,000. Violation of this subparagraph is a Class C crime;
 
(5) The value of the property is more than $500$1,000 but not more than $1,000$5,000. Violation of this subparagraph is a Class D crime; or
 
(6) The person has 2 or more prior convictions for any combination of the Maine offenses listed in this subparagraph or for engaging in substantially similar conduct to that of the Maine offenses listed in this subparagraph in another jurisdiction. The Maine offenses are: theft; any violation of section 401 in which the crime intended to be committed inside the structure is theft; any violation of section 405 in which the crime intended to be committed inside the motor vehicle is theft; any violation of section 651; any violation of section 702, 703 or 708; or attempts to commit any of these crimes. Section 9-A governs the use of prior convictions when determining a sentence. Violation of this subparagraph is a Class C crime; or
 
SUMMARY
This bill changes the property values that define theft crimes other than Class E crimes as follows:
1. For a Class B offense, from more than $10,000 to more than $20,000;
2. For a Class C offense, from more than $1,000 but not more than $10,000 to more than $5,000 but not more than $20,000; and
3. For a Class D offense, from more than $500 but not more than $1,000 to more than $1,000 but not more than $5,000.