Maine Revised Statutes, Title 17-A, § 754: Obstructing criminal prosecution, 1975

1. A person is guilty of obstructing criminal prosecution if: A. The person uses force, violence or intimidation, or the person promises, offers or gives any pecuniary benefit or anything of benefit to another, with the intent to induce the other: (1) To refrain from initiating a criminal prosecution or juvenile proceeding; or (2) To refrain from continuing with a criminal prosecution or juvenile proceeding that the other person has initiated; or [PL 2019, c. 438, §4 (AMD).] B. The person solicits, accepts or agrees to accept any pecuniary benefit or anything of benefit to another in consideration of doing any of the things specified in this subsection. [PL 2019, c. 438, §4 (AMD).] [PL 2019, c. 438, §4 (AMD).] 2. This section does not apply to conduct authorized by Title 15, section 891. [PL 2001, c. 383, §89 (AMD); PL 2001, c. 383, §156 (AFF).] 3. It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that: A. The charge in fact made or liable to be made was for a Class D or Class E crime or a comparable juvenile offense; and [PL 1977, c. 510, §62 (RPR).] B. The pecuniary benefit did not exceed an amount which the actor believed to be due as restitution or indemnification for harm caused by the offense. [PL 1977, c. 510, §62 (RPR).] [PL 1977, c. 510, §62 (RPR).] 4. Obstructing criminal prosecution is a Class C crime. [PL 1977, c. 510, §62 (NEW).]