Maine Code § 17-A-103

Competing harms
Open in Lexace · Ask the AI about this section
1. Conduct that the person believes to be necessary to avoid imminent physical harm to that person
or another is justifiable if the desirability and urgency of avoiding such harm outweigh, according to
ordinary standards of reasonableness, the harm sought to be prevented by the statute defining the crime
charged. The desirability and urgency of such conduct may not rest upon considerations pertaining to
the morality and advisability of such statute.
[PL 2007, c. 173, §18 (AMD).]
2. When the person was reckless or criminally negligent in bringing about the circumstances
requiring a choice of harms or in appraising the necessity of the person's conduct, the justification
provided in subsection 1 does not apply in a prosecution for any crime for which recklessness or
criminal negligence, as the case may be, suffices to establish criminal liability.
[PL 2007, c. 173, §18 (AMD).]

‹ Prev All Maine sections Next ›


Lexace provides legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney–client relationship is created. Statute text is provided for general information and may not reflect the most recent amendments; verify against the official state code.