2013 Maine Revised Statutes
TITLE 17-A: MAINE CRIMINAL CODE
Chapter 21: OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER
17-A §506. Harassment by telephone or by electronic communication device

Part 2: SUBSTANTIVE OFFENSES

506. Harassment by telephone or by electronic communication device

1. A person is guilty of harassment by telephone or by electronic communication device if:

A. By means of telephone or electronic communication device the person makes any comment, request, suggestion or proposal that is, in fact, offensively coarse or obscene, without the consent of the person called or contacted; [2011, c. 464, 14 (AMD); 2011, c. 464, 30 (AFF).]

B. The person makes a telephone call or makes a call or contact by means of an electronic communication device, whether or not oral or written conversation ensues, without disclosing the person's identity and with the intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any person at the called or contacted number or account; [2011, c. 464, 14 (AMD); 2011, c. 464, 30 (AFF).]

C. The person makes or causes the telephone or electronic communication device of another repeatedly or continuously to ring or activate or receive data, with the intent to harass any person at the called or contacted number or account; [2011, c. 464, 14 (AMD); 2011, c. 464, 30 (AFF).]

D. The person makes repeated telephone calls or repeated calls or contacts by means of an electronic communication device, during which oral or written conversation ensues, with the intent to harass any person at the called or contacted number or account; or [2011, c. 464, 14 (AMD); 2011, c. 464, 30 (AFF).]

E. The person knowingly permits any telephone or electronic communication device under the person's control to be used for any purpose prohibited by this section. [2011, c. 464, 14 (AMD); 2011, c. 464, 30 (AFF).]

[ 2011, c. 464, 14 (AMD); 2011, c. 464, 30 (AFF) .]

2. The crime defined in this section may be prosecuted and punished in the county in which the defendant was located when the defendant used the telephone or electronic communication device, or in the county in which the telephone called or made to ring or the electronic communication device called or made to ring or be activated or receive data by the defendant was located.

[ 2011, c. 464, 14 (AMD); 2011, c. 464, 30 (AFF) .]

2-A. As used in this section, "electronic communication device" means any electronic or digital product that communicates at a distance by electronic transmission impulses or by fiber optics, including any software capable of sending and receiving communication, allowing a person to electronically engage in the conduct prohibited under this section.

[ 2011, c. 464, 14 (NEW); 2011, c. 464, 30 (AFF) .]

3. Harassment by telephone or by electronic communication device is a Class E crime.

[ 2011, c. 464, 14 (AMD); 2011, c. 464, 30 (AFF) .]

SECTION HISTORY

1975, c. 499, 1 (NEW). 1975, c. 740, 66 (RPR). 1981, c. 317, 20 (AMD). 2011, c. 464, 14 (AMD). 2011, c. 464, 30 (AFF).