{"id":373759,"date":"2016-04-11T01:22:48","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T06:22:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/maine-law\/maine-murder-law.html"},"modified":"2025-08-11T12:18:41","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T17:18:41","slug":"maine-murder-law","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/maine-law\/maine-murder-law.html","title":{"rendered":"Maine Murder Law"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Maine Murder Law<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Under Maine law, a homicide is the taking of another human life, regardless of whether the killing was unlawful. The Maine Criminal Code categorizes homicide into three different crimes<\/a>: murder, felony murder, and manslaughter.<\/p>\r\n

Many states consider felony murder<\/a> a type of murder. In Maine, however, felony murder is a distinct crime. The penalties for both crimes are severe, up to and including life imprisonment. Maine was the third state to abolish the death penalty in 1887.<\/p>\r\n

This article discusses Maine\u2019s murder laws, including the definitions of murder and the penalties for these crimes. If you\u2019re facing murder charges in the state of Maine, consider speaking with an experienced criminal defense attorney<\/a> sooner rather than later. We’ve also provided links to similar FindLaw articles at the bottom of the page to help with your research.<\/p>\r\n

Definition of Murder Under Maine Law<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The general definition of murder is the unlawful killing of another person with malice aforethought. Malice and premeditation are what distinguish murder from lesser homicides, such as manslaughter.<\/p>\r\n

For the state to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, it must demonstrate the following:<\/p>\r\n