Maine Could Soon Eliminate Life Sentences

Even though most of us do not choose where we live based on whether or not we could be executed, most people realize that there is no death penalty in Maine.

Right now, no matter how heinous the crime you are convicted of is, the most you can be sentenced to is life in prison.

If some Maine lawmakers get their way, we could soon see an end to life imprisonment in Maine.

According to an article on the WGME website, if it ends up being signed into law, LD 1335, “An Act to Prohibit Life Sentences,” would eliminate life sentences in the State of Maine.

The bill, which is sponsored by state Rep. Nina Milliken, a Democrat from Blue Hill, would also prevent judges from sentencing people to years in prison beyond a convicted person's estimated lifespan. In other words, it would prevent a person from being sentenced to 99 years in prison.

The bill reads, in part:

A person convicted of the crime of murder prior to January 1, 2026 must be sentenced to imprisonment for life or for any term of years that is not less than 25 years. A person convicted of the crime of murder on or after January 1, 2026 may not be sentenced by the court to imprisonment for life or for any term of years equivalent to imprisonment for life, and the court shall set a term of imprisonment for any term of years that is not less than 25 years. The sentence of the court must specify the length of the sentence to be served and must commit the person to the Department of Corrections.

You can read the full text of the document HERE.

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