2018 Maine Revised Statutes
TITLE 29-A: MOTOR VEHICLES
Chapter 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS
29-A §105. Enforcement

§105. Enforcement

1. Authority to stop motor vehicle. If a law enforcement officer has reasonable and articulable suspicion to believe that a violation of law has taken or is taking place, that officer, if the officer is in uniform, may stop a motor vehicle for the purpose of:

A. Arresting the operator for a criminal violation; [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

B. Issuing the appropriate written process for a criminal or civil violation or a traffic infraction; or [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

C. Questioning the operator or occupants. [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

[ 1995, c. 368, Pt. AAA, §1 (AMD) .]

2. Scope of inspection. A law enforcement officer who has stopped a motor vehicle pursuant to subsection 1 may demand and inspect the driver's license, certificate of registration, permits and the identification numbers of the motor vehicle. A state police officer who is trained pursuant to the motor carrier safety rules of the motor carrier safety regulations of the United States Department of Transportation may demand and inspect the driver's record of duty status and medical examiner's certificate, if applicable.

[ 2001, c. 360, §2 (AMD) .]

3. Impoundment. When a motor vehicle is operated by a person not able to produce a certificate of registration, or by a person other than the person in whose name the vehicle is registered and the operator is unable to present reasonable evidence of authority to operate that vehicle, an officer may impound and hold that vehicle until that vehicle is claimed by the registered owner or until the registered owner verifies the authority of the operator. The registered owner must be notified immediately of the impoundment.

[ 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF) .]

4. Violation. A person is guilty of a Class E crime if a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe the person violated or is violating this Title and the person intentionally fails or refuses upon request to give the person's correct name, address or date of birth to a law enforcement officer.

[ 2003, c. 657, §12 (AMD) .]

SECTION HISTORY

1993, c. 683, §A2 (NEW). 1993, c. 683, §B5 (AFF). 1995, c. 368, §AAA1 (AMD). 1997, c. 437, §4 (AMD). 1997, c. 653, §5 (AMD). 2001, c. 360, §2 (AMD). 2003, c. 657, §12 (AMD).