Maine Revised Statutes

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 858 (2026)

Limitation on actions for penalties

✓ current as of May 2026

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Actions for any penalty or forfeiture on a penal statute, brought by a person to whom the penalty or forfeiture is given in whole or in part, shall be commenced within one year after the commission of the offense. If no person so prosecutes, it may be recovered by civil action, indictment or information in the name and for the use of the State at any time within 2 years after the commission of the offense, and not afterwards.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 6 cases, 1986–2019 · leading case: Pamela A. Denutte v. U.S. Bank, N.A., 2019 ME 124 (Me. 2019).

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Pamela A. Denutte v. U.S. Bank, N.A., 2019 ME 124 (Me. 2019). · cites it 4× “Bank contended that Denutte's claim for a violation of section 551's mailing obligation was subject to and barred by the one-year statute of limitations provided in 14 M.R.S. § 858 (2018) for "[a]ctions for any penalty or forfeiture on a penal statute.”

Bowden v. Grindle, 675 A.2d 968 (Me. 1996). “The Grindles first contend that the court erred in concluding that Bowden’s mental illness was sufficient to toll the statute of limitations. If a person is mentally ill when the cause of action accrues she may bring an action within the statutorily prescribed time limit after…”

Maine Real Est. Comm'n v. Anderson, 512 A.2d 351 (Me. 1986). “We now address Anderson’s contention that the Administrative Court erred in rejecting her argument that the initial action was barred by 14 M.R.S.A. § 858 (1980). Section 858 requires that a civil action for any penalty or forfeiture on a penal statute be commenced by the State…”

Pierce v. Goodman, 665 A.2d 1004 (Me. 1995). “2 The court based its denial on its determination that the record before it presented a genuine issue as to the material fact of whether Ruth Pierce was mentally ill during the time period at issue thereby tolling the period of limitation pursuant to 14 M.R.S.A. § 858 (1980 &…”

Denutte v. U.S. Bank (Me. Super. Ct 2018). · cites it 5× “However, "[a]ctions for any penalty or forfeiture on a penal statute" must be "commenced within one year after the commission of the offense," 14 M.R.S.A § 858. Whether a cause of action provided for by statute falls within the scope of 14 M.”

Pamela A. Denutte v. U.S. Bank, N.A., 2019 ME 124 (Me. 2019). · cites it 4× “Bank contended that Denutte’s claim for a violation of section 551’s mailing obligation was subject to and barred by the one-year statute of limitations provided in 14 M.R.S. § 858 (2018) for “[a]ctions for any penalty or forfeiture 1 Section 551 defines the term “mortgagee” to…”

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