Learn About The Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
1. A person is guilty of criminal use of a laser pointer if the person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly points a laser pointer at another person, while the laser pointer is emitting a laser beam, and:
A. Causes bodily injury to that other person. Violation of this paragraph is a Class D crime;
B. That other person is a law enforcement officer, transport officer, corrections officer or corrections supervisor in uniform. Violation of this paragraph is a Class D crime; or
C. Causes a reasonable person to suffer intimidation, annoyance or alarm. Violation of this paragraph is a Class E crime.
2. For the purposes of this section, “laser pointer” means a hand-held device that emits a visible light beam amplified by the stimulated emission of radiation.
3. It is a defense to a prosecution under this section that at the time of the laser pointer's use the person who intentionally, knowingly or recklessly pointed a laser pointer at another person was justified under chapter 5 1 in threatening or using physical force upon the other person.
4. As part of every judgment of conviction and sentence imposed, every laser pointer that constitutes the basis for conviction under this section must be forfeited to the State and the court shall so order, unless another person can satisfy the court prior to the judgment and by a preponderance of the evidence that such other person had a right to possess the laser pointer, to the exclusion of the defendant, at the time of the offense.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Maine Revised Statutes Title 17-A. Maine Criminal Code § 1002-A. Criminal use of laser pointers - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/me/title-17-a-maine-criminal-code/me-rev-st-tit-17-a-sect-1002-a/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)