Me. Rev. Stat. » Title 17-A
Maine Revised Statutes

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 35 (2026)

Definitions of culpable states of mind

✓ current as of May 2026
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1.  "Intentionally."   
A. A person acts intentionally with respect to a result of the person's conduct when it is the person's conscious object to cause such a result.   [PL 2007, c. 173, §8 (AMD).]
B. A person acts intentionally with respect to attendant circumstances when the person is aware of the existence of such circumstances or believes that they exist.   [PL 2007, c. 173, §8 (AMD).]
[PL 2007, c. 173, §8 (AMD).]
2.  "Knowingly."   
A. A person acts knowingly with respect to a result of the person's conduct when the person is aware that it is practically certain that the person's conduct will cause such a result.   [PL 2007, c. 173, §8 (AMD).]
B. A person acts knowingly with respect to attendant circumstances when the person is aware that such circumstances exist.   [PL 2007, c. 173, §8 (AMD).]
[PL 2007, c. 173, §8 (AMD).]
3.  "Recklessly."   
A. A person acts recklessly with respect to a result of the person's conduct when the person consciously disregards a risk that the person's conduct will cause such a result.   [PL 2007, c. 173, §8 (AMD).]
B. A person acts recklessly with respect to attendant circumstances when the person consciously disregards a risk that such circumstances exist.   [PL 2007, c. 173, §8 (AMD).]
C. For purposes of this subsection, the disregard of the risk, when viewed in light of the nature and purpose of the person's conduct and the circumstances known to the person, must involve a gross deviation from the standard of conduct that a reasonable and prudent person would observe in the same situation.   [PL 2007, c. 173, §8 (AMD).]
[PL 2007, c. 173, §8 (AMD).]
4.  "Criminal negligence."   
A. A person acts with criminal negligence with respect to a result of the person's conduct when the person fails to be aware of a risk that the person's conduct will cause such a result.   [PL 2007, c. 173, §8 (AMD).]
B. A person acts with criminal negligence with respect to attendant circumstances when the person fails to be aware of a risk that such circumstances exist.   [PL 2007, c. 173, §8 (AMD).]
C. For purposes of this subsection, the failure to be aware of the risk, when viewed in light of the nature and purpose of the person's conduct and the circumstances known to the person, must involve a gross deviation from the standard of conduct that a reasonable and prudent person would observe in the same situation.   [PL 2007, c. 173, §8 (AMD).]
[PL 2007, c. 173, §8 (AMD).]
5.  "Culpable."  A person acts culpably when the person acts with the intention, knowledge, recklessness or criminal negligence as is required.  
[PL 2007, c. 173, §8 (AMD).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1981, c. 324, §14 (NEW). PL 2007, c. 173, §8 (AMD).
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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 100 cases (14 in the last 5 years), 1982–2025 · leading case: United States v. Voisine, 778 F.3d 176 (1st Cir. 2015).
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United States v. Voisine, 778 F.3d 176 (1st Cir. 2015). · cites it 15× “2013) (citing Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 17-A § 35). It also affirmed a conviction for reckless conduct with the use of a dangerous weapon when the defendant "drove his van alongside the victim's vehicle, remaining there .”
State of Maine v. Victoria Scott, 2019 ME 105 (Me. 2019). · cites it 7× “See 17-A M.R.S. § 35(3)-(4) (2018) ; State v.”
State of Maine v. Roland L. Cummings, 2017 ME 143 (Me. 2017). · cites it 5× “[¶ 14] On the record presented, there is more than sufficient evidence from which the jury rationally could find, based on reasonable inferences drawn from circumstantial and DNA evidence connecting *1000 Cummings with the murder and burglary, that Cummings was the person who…”
State of Maine v. Kristina I. Lowe, 2015 ME 124 (Me. 2015). · cites it 3× “” 17-A M.R.S. § 35(3)(A) (2014). Similarly, someone acts with criminal negligence “when the person fails to be aware of a risk that the person’s conduct’ will cause süch a result.”
State of Maine v. Dustin Brown, 2017 ME 59 (Me. 2017). · cites it 3× “” 17-A M.R.S. § 35(4)(A) (2016). The defendant’s failure to be aware of the risk “must involve a gross deviation from the standard of conduct that a reasonable and prudent person would observe in the same situation.”
Stein v. Maine Crim. Just. Academy, 95 A.3d 612 (Me. 2014). · cites it 2× “” 17-A M.R.S. § 35(3)(A) (2013). Further, “the disregard of the risk, when viewed in light of the nature and purpose of the person’s conduct and the circumstances known to the person, must involve a gross deviation from the standard of conduct that a reasonable and prudent…”
State v. Michaud, 1998 ME 251 (Me. 1998). · cites it 2× “” 17-A M.R.S.A. § 35(3) (1983 & Supp.1998).”
State of Maine v. Thomas P. Woodard, 2013 ME 36 (Me. 2013). · cites it 2× “” 17-A M.R.S. § 35(1)(A) (2012). [¶ 21] Two definitions of deception could apply based on the evidence presented here.”
United States v. Bennett, 868 F.3d 1 (1st Cir. 2017). “” Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 17-A, § 35(3)(A); see also Model Penal Code, § 2.”
State v. Michaud, 168 A.3d 802 (Me. 2017). · cites it 2× “§ 2413(1-A), and of whether Michaud was driving in a manner that was reckless, see 17-A M.R.S. §§ 35(3)(A), (C), 208(1)(B) (2016), or criminally negligent, see 17-A M.”
State of Maine v. Dale M. Brackett, 2023 ME 51 (Me. 2023). · cites it 6× “3 Title 17-A M.R.S. § 35 (2023) provides the following definition of “recklessly” with respect to attendant circumstances: “A person acts recklessly with respect to attendant circumstances when the person consciously disregards a risk that such circumstances exist.”
State v. Holland, 34 A.3d 1130 (Me. 2012). · cites it 3× “Title 17-A M.R.S.A. § 35 (1983) defines culpable states of mind.”
Show all 100 citing cases →
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 35(1) — 11 cases
State v. Villacci, 187 A.3d 576 (Me. 2018).
State of Maine v. Eric Anderson, 2016 ME 183 (Me. 2016).
State v. Murphy, 496 A.2d 623 (Me. 1985).
State v. Kirk, 2005 ME 60 (Me. 2005).
State v. Stewart, 930 A.2d 1031 (Me. 2007).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 35(1)(A) — 16 cases
State of Maine v. Roland L. Cummings, 2017 ME 143 (Me. 2017). “[¶ 14] On the record presented, there is more than sufficient evidence from which the jury rationally could find, based on reasonable inferences drawn from circumstantial and DNA evidence connecting *1000 Cummings with the murder and burglary, that Cummings was the person who…”
State of Maine v. Thomas P. Woodard, 2013 ME 36 (Me. 2013). “” 17-A M.R.S. § 35(1)(A) (2012). [¶ 21] Two definitions of deception could apply based on the evidence presented here.”
State of Maine v. James D. Graham, 2015 ME 35 (Me. 2015).
State v. Greenleaf, 863 A.2d 877 (Me. 2004).
State v. Cote, 462 A.2d 487 (Me. 1983).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 35(2) — 5 cases
State of Maine v. Michael J. Siracusa Jr., 2017 ME 84 (Me. 2017).
State v. Haines, 620 A.2d 875 (Me. 1993).
Mugeni v. Maine Dep't of Health & Human Servs. (Me. Super. Ct 2023).
Pat Doe v. Debora J. Batie, 2020 ME 124 (Me. 2020).
State v. Plante, 634 A.2d 1257 (Me. 1993).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 35(2)(A) — 3 cases
State of Maine v. Christopher Todd Hall, 2019 ME 126 (Me. 2019).
State of Maine v. Christopher Todd Hall, 2019 ME 126 (Me. 2019).
Mark Cardilli Jr. v. State of Maine, 2024 ME 25 (Me. 2024).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 35(2)(B) — 1 case
State v. Haines, 620 A.2d 875 (Me. 1993).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 35(2006) — 1 case
State v. Dilley, 2008 ME 5 (Me. 2008).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 35(3) — 21 cases
United States v. Voisine, 778 F.3d 176 (1st Cir. 2015). “2013) (citing Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 17-A § 35). It also affirmed a conviction for reckless conduct with the use of a dangerous weapon when the defendant "drove his van alongside the victim's vehicle, remaining there .”
State v. Michaud, 1998 ME 251 (Me. 1998). “” 17-A M.R.S.A. § 35(3) (1983 & Supp.1998).”
State v. Wilder, 2000 ME 32 (Me. 2000).
State of Maine v. Victoria Scott, 2019 ME 105 (Me. 2019). “See 17-A M.R.S. § 35(3)-(4) (2018) ; State v.”
State of Maine v. Miranda G. Hopkins, 2018 ME 100 (Me. 2018).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 35(3)(A) — 24 cases
United States v. Voisine, 778 F.3d 176 (1st Cir. 2015). “2013) (citing Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 17-A § 35). It also affirmed a conviction for reckless conduct with the use of a dangerous weapon when the defendant "drove his van alongside the victim's vehicle, remaining there .”
State of Maine v. Victoria Scott, 2019 ME 105 (Me. 2019). “See 17-A M.R.S. § 35(3)-(4) (2018) ; State v.”
United States v. Bennett, 868 F.3d 1 (1st Cir. 2017). “” Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 17-A, § 35(3)(A); see also Model Penal Code, § 2.”
Stein v. Maine Crim. Just. Academy, 95 A.3d 612 (Me. 2014). “” 17-A M.R.S. § 35(3)(A) (2013). Further, “the disregard of the risk, when viewed in light of the nature and purpose of the person’s conduct and the circumstances known to the person, must involve a gross deviation from the standard of conduct that a reasonable and prudent…”
State v. Cheney, 55 A.3d 473 (Me. 2012).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 35(3)(B) — 1 case
State of Maine v. Dale M. Brackett, 2023 ME 51 (Me. 2023). “3 Title 17-A M.R.S. § 35 (2023) provides the following definition of “recklessly” with respect to attendant circumstances: “A person acts recklessly with respect to attendant circumstances when the person consciously disregards a risk that such circumstances exist.”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 35(3)(C) — 11 cases
State of Maine v. Victoria Scott, 2019 ME 105 (Me. 2019). “See 17-A M.R.S. § 35(3)-(4) (2018) ; State v.”
Stein v. Maine Crim. Just. Academy, 95 A.3d 612 (Me. 2014). “” 17-A M.R.S. § 35(3)(A) (2013). Further, “the disregard of the risk, when viewed in light of the nature and purpose of the person’s conduct and the circumstances known to the person, must involve a gross deviation from the standard of conduct that a reasonable and prudent…”
United States v. Voisine, 778 F.3d 176 (1st Cir. 2015). “2013) (citing Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 17-A § 35). It also affirmed a conviction for reckless conduct with the use of a dangerous weapon when the defendant "drove his van alongside the victim's vehicle, remaining there .”
State of Maine v. Kristina I. Lowe, 2015 ME 124 (Me. 2015). “” 17-A M.R.S. § 35(3)(A) (2014). Similarly, someone acts with criminal negligence “when the person fails to be aware of a risk that the person’s conduct’ will cause süch a result.”
State v. Medeiros, 2010 ME 47 (Me. 2010).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 35(4) — 3 cases
State v. Tempesta, 617 A.2d 566 (Me. 1992).
State v. Horr, 2003 ME 110 (Me. 2003).
State v. Gorman, 648 A.2d 967 (Me. 1994).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 35(4)(A) — 9 cases
State of Maine v. Victoria Scott, 2019 ME 105 (Me. 2019). “See 17-A M.R.S. § 35(3)-(4) (2018) ; State v.”
State v. Michaud, 168 A.3d 802 (Me. 2017). “§ 2413(1-A), and of whether Michaud was driving in a manner that was reckless, see 17-A M.R.S. §§ 35(3)(A), (C), 208(1)(B) (2016), or criminally negligent, see 17-A M.”
State of Maine v. Kristina I. Lowe, 2015 ME 124 (Me. 2015). “” 17-A M.R.S. § 35(3)(A) (2014). Similarly, someone acts with criminal negligence “when the person fails to be aware of a risk that the person’s conduct’ will cause süch a result.”
State of Maine v. Dustin Brown, 2017 ME 59 (Me. 2017). “” 17-A M.R.S. § 35(4)(A) (2016). The defendant’s failure to be aware of the risk “must involve a gross deviation from the standard of conduct that a reasonable and prudent person would observe in the same situation.”
State v. Harrington, 440 A.2d 1078 (Me. 1982).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 35(4)(B) — 1 case
State of Maine v. Kulmiye Idris, 2025 ME 17 (Me. 2025).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 35(4)(C) — 3 cases
State of Maine v. Eric Nobles, 2018 ME 26 (Me. 2018).
State of Maine v. Dustin Brown, 2017 ME 59 (Me. 2017). “” 17-A M.R.S. § 35(4)(A) (2016). The defendant’s failure to be aware of the risk “must involve a gross deviation from the standard of conduct that a reasonable and prudent person would observe in the same situation.”
State of Maine v. Ronald A. Harding, 2024 ME 67 (Me. 2024).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 35(S)(A) — 1 case
State v. Medeiros, 2010 ME 47 (Me. 2010).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 35(l) — 1 case
State of Maine v. Aaron S. Lowden, 2014 ME 29 (Me. 2014).
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