Me. Rev. Stat. » Title 15
Maine Revised Statutes

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 15, § 3002 (2026)

Purposes and construction

✓ current as of May 2026
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1.  Purposes.  The purposes of this Part are:  
A. To secure for each juvenile subject to these provisions such care and guidance, preferably in the juvenile's own home, as will best serve the juvenile's welfare and the interests of society;   [PL 1997, c. 645, §1 (AMD).]
B. To preserve and strengthen family ties whenever possible, including improvement of home environment;   [PL 1977, c. 520, §1 (NEW).]
C. To remove a juvenile from the custody of the juvenile's parents only when the juvenile's welfare and safety or the protection of the public would otherwise be endangered or, when necessary, to punish a child adjudicated, pursuant to chapter 507, as having committed a juvenile crime;   [PL 1997, c. 645, §1 (AMD).]
D. To secure for any juvenile removed from the custody of the juvenile's parents the necessary treatment, care, guidance and discipline to assist that juvenile in becoming a responsible and productive member of society;   [PL 1997, c. 645, §1 (AMD).]
E. To provide procedures through which the provisions of the law are executed and enforced and that ensure that the parties receive fair hearings at which their rights as citizens are recognized and protected; and   [PL 1997, c. 645, §1 (AMD).]
F. To provide consequences, which may include those of a punitive nature, for repeated serious criminal behavior or repeated violations of probation conditions.   [PL 1997, c. 645, §1 (NEW).]
[PL 1997, c. 645, §1 (AMD).]
2.  Construction.  To carry out these purposes, the provisions of this Part shall be liberally construed.  
[PL 1977, c. 520, §1 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1977, c. 520, §1 (NEW). PL 1977, c. 664, §1 (AMD). PL 1979, c. 663, §113 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 645, §1 (AMD).
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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 10 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1979–2021 · leading case: State of Maine v. J.R., 2018 ME 117 (Me. 2018).
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State of Maine v. J.R., 2018 ME 117 (Me. 2018). · cites it 9× “" See 1979 Commentary at 398, 479, included with 15 M.R.S.A. §§ 3002, 3313 (2003). Further emphasizing the Juvenile Code's intent to avoid the institutional commitment of a juvenile when possible, 15 M.”
State v. Gleason, 404 A.2d 573 (Me. 1979). · cites it 2× “Release may be accorded where there are persons suitable or responsible to ensure the juvenile’s later appearance at a court proceeding, to provide physical care, prevent future harmful acts by the juvenile and protect the juvenile.”
United States v. Juv., 347 F.3d 778 (9th Cir. 2003). “14 § 110(B) (West 2002); Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 15, § 3002 (West 2003) (see Commentary); Md.”
State v. DeLong, 456 A.2d 877 (Me. 1983). · cites it 2× “The rehabilitative processes of the Juvenile Court, 15 M.R.S.A. § 3002, are unnecessary and irrelevant to vindicating the dignity of our courts.”
State v. Wilson, 409 A.2d 226 (Me. 1979). “The legislature could rationally have concluded that a person under the age of eighteen who is guilty of night hunting is not in need of the rehabilitative processes of the juvenile court system.”
State v. Sanborn, 644 A.2d 475 (Me. 1994). “15 M.R.S.A. § 3002(1) (1980 & Supp.1993).”
State v. Fulton, 178 A.3d 1225 (Me. 2018). · cites it 2× “See 15 M.R.S. § 3002 (2017). Because this argument was not raised in the Juvenile Court, we review for obvious error and find none.”
State of Maine v. Timothy Silva, 2021 ME 15 (Me. 2021). · cites it 7× “15 M.R.S. § 3002(1); see 15 M.R.S. § 3002(2) (directing that, “[t]o carry out these purposes, the provisions of this Part shall be liberally construed”).”
State of Maine v. Dylan Fulton, 2018 ME 3 (Me. 2018). · cites it 2× “See 15 M.R.S. § 3002 (2017). Because this argument was not 2 The Maine Rules of Unified Criminal Procedure apply to proceedings involving juvenile crimes.”
State of Maine v. P.S., 2020 ME 9 (Me. 2020). · cites it 2× “3d 1157 (citing 15 M.R.S.A. § 3002 (2003) Commentary 1979).”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 15, § 3002(1) — 4 cases
State of Maine v. J.R., 2018 ME 117 (Me. 2018). “" See 1979 Commentary at 398, 479, included with 15 M.R.S.A. §§ 3002, 3313 (2003). Further emphasizing the Juvenile Code's intent to avoid the institutional commitment of a juvenile when possible, 15 M.”
State v. Gleason, 404 A.2d 573 (Me. 1979). “Release may be accorded where there are persons suitable or responsible to ensure the juvenile’s later appearance at a court proceeding, to provide physical care, prevent future harmful acts by the juvenile and protect the juvenile.”
State v. Sanborn, 644 A.2d 475 (Me. 1994). “15 M.R.S.A. § 3002(1) (1980 & Supp.1993).”
State of Maine v. Timothy Silva, 2021 ME 15 (Me. 2021). “15 M.R.S. § 3002(1); see 15 M.R.S. § 3002(2) (directing that, “[t]o carry out these purposes, the provisions of this Part shall be liberally construed”).”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 15, § 3002(1)(A) — 2 cases
State of Maine v. J.R., 2018 ME 117 (Me. 2018). “" See 1979 Commentary at 398, 479, included with 15 M.R.S.A. §§ 3002, 3313 (2003). Further emphasizing the Juvenile Code's intent to avoid the institutional commitment of a juvenile when possible, 15 M.”
State of Maine v. Timothy Silva, 2021 ME 15 (Me. 2021). “15 M.R.S. § 3002(1); see 15 M.R.S. § 3002(2) (directing that, “[t]o carry out these purposes, the provisions of this Part shall be liberally construed”).”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 15, § 3002(1)(B) — 1 case
State of Maine v. Timothy Silva, 2021 ME 15 (Me. 2021). “15 M.R.S. § 3002(1); see 15 M.R.S. § 3002(2) (directing that, “[t]o carry out these purposes, the provisions of this Part shall be liberally construed”).”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 15, § 3002(1)(C) — 2 cases
State of Maine v. J.R., 2018 ME 117 (Me. 2018). “" See 1979 Commentary at 398, 479, included with 15 M.R.S.A. §§ 3002, 3313 (2003). Further emphasizing the Juvenile Code's intent to avoid the institutional commitment of a juvenile when possible, 15 M.”
State of Maine v. Timothy Silva, 2021 ME 15 (Me. 2021). “15 M.R.S. § 3002(1); see 15 M.R.S. § 3002(2) (directing that, “[t]o carry out these purposes, the provisions of this Part shall be liberally construed”).”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 15, § 3002(1)(D) — 1 case
State of Maine v. Timothy Silva, 2021 ME 15 (Me. 2021). “15 M.R.S. § 3002(1); see 15 M.R.S. § 3002(2) (directing that, “[t]o carry out these purposes, the provisions of this Part shall be liberally construed”).”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 15, § 3002(2) — 1 case
State of Maine v. Timothy Silva, 2021 ME 15 (Me. 2021). “15 M.R.S. § 3002(1); see 15 M.R.S. § 3002(2) (directing that, “[t]o carry out these purposes, the provisions of this Part shall be liberally construed”).”
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