Public Law, Chapter 552, 123rd Legislature, Second Regular Session

Chapter 552 H.P. 1609 - L.D. 2248

An Act To Delete Outdated References to Rule 42 of the Maine Rules of Criminal Procedure from the Maine Bail Code and the Provision Allowing for Appeals by Aggrieved Contemnors

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 15 MRSA §1004, as amended by PL 2005, c. 507, §4, is further amended to read:

§ 1004. Applicability and exclusions

This chapter applies to the setting of bail for a defendant in a criminal proceeding, including the setting of bail for an alleged contemnor in a plenary contempt proceeding involving a punitive sanction under the Maine Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 42 or the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 66. It does not apply to the setting of bail in extradition proceedings under sections 201 to 229 or , post-conviction review proceedings under sections 2121 to 2132, probation revocation proceedings under Title 17-A, sections 1205 to 1207, supervised release revocation proceedings under Title 17-A, section 1233 or administrative release revocation proceedings under Title 17-A, sections 1349 to 1349-F, except to the extent and under the conditions stated in those sections. This chapter applies to the setting of bail for an alleged contemnor in a summary contempt proceeding involving a punitive sanction under the Maine Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 42 or the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 66 and to the setting of bail relative to a material witness only as specified in sections 1103 and 1104, respectively. This chapter does not apply to a person under 18 years of age who is arrested for a crime defined under Title 12 or Title 29-A that is not a juvenile crime as defined in section 3103.

Sec. 2. 15 MRSA §1103, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 317, Pt. A, §2, is amended to read:

§ 1103. Summary contempt proceeding involving a punitive sanction

The setting of bail for an alleged contemnor in a summary contempt proceeding involving a punitive sanction under the Maine Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 42 or the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 66, including any appeal under section 2115-B, is a matter wholly within the discretion of the court. Subchapters IV 4 and V 5 apply.

Sec. 3. 15 MRSA §2115-B, as amended by PL 2003, c. 17, §3, is further amended to read:

§ 2115-B. Appeal by aggrieved contemnor

1. Summary contempt proceedings involving punitive sanctions. In a summary contempt proceeding involving punitive sanctions, accompanied or unaccompanied by remedial sanctions, instituted under either the Maine Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 42 or the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 66, before a Judge of the District Court or Probate Court or a Justice of the Superior Court or the Supreme Judicial Court, a contemnor who is aggrieved by an order and imposition of a punitive sanction may appeal to the Supreme Judicial Court sitting as the Law Court, as provided under section 2111 or 2115 and the applicable Maine Rules of Appellate Procedure.

2. Plenary contempt proceedings involving punitive sanctions. In a plenary contempt proceeding involving punitive sanctions, accompanied or unaccompanied by remedial sanctions, instituted under either the Maine Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 42 or the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 66, any contemnor aggrieved by an adjudication and imposition of a punitive sanction may appeal to the Supreme Judicial Court sitting as the Law Court, as provided under section 2111 or 2115 and the applicable Maine Rules of Appellate Procedure.

Effective June 30, 2008

Public Laws

123rd Legislature

Second Regular Session

Chapter 552

H.P. 1609 - L.D. 2248