Maine Revised Statutes

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 456 (2026)

Tampering with public records or information

✓ current as of May 2026

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1. A person is guilty of tampering with public records or information if he:

A. Knowingly makes a false entry in, or false alteration of any record, document or thing belonging to, or received or kept by the government, or required by law to be kept by others for the information of the government; or [PL 1975, c. 499, §1 (NEW).]

B. Presents or uses any record, document or thing knowing it to be false, and with intent that it be taken as a genuine part of information or records referred to in subsection 1, paragraph A; or [PL 1975, c. 499, §1 (NEW).]

C. Intentionally destroys, conceals, removes or otherwise impairs the verity or availability of any such record, document or thing, knowing that he lacks authority to do so. [PL 1975, c. 499, §1 (NEW).]

[PL 1975, c. 499, §1 (NEW).]

2. Tampering with public records or information is a Class D crime.

[PL 1975, c. 499, §1 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1975, c. 499, §1 (NEW).

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 6 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1982–2021 · leading case: State v. Spaulding, 1998 ME 29 (Me. 1998).

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State v. Spaulding, 1998 ME 29 (Me. 1998). · cites it 16× “" 17-A M.R.S.A. § 456 comment (1975). The Massachusetts Revision Commission Note for section 7, tampering with public records or documents reads: The protection given by § 7 to public records, documents and things kept by or for the information of the government is almost…”

State of Maine v. Danielle A. Beckwith, 2015 ME 72 (Me. 2015). · cites it 6× “Therefore, Beck-with's attempt to steal over $1,000 is a Class D crime.”

State v. Boone, 444 A.2d 438 (Me. 1982). “17-A M.R.S.A. § 456 (Supp.1981). 3 . 17-A M.”

State of Maine v. Claudia G. Viles, 2017 ME 148 (Me. 2017). · cites it 3× “17-A M.R.S. § 456(1)(C) (2016). On appeal, she contends that there was insufficient evidence for the jury to find her guilty of theft by unauthorized taking or transfer -and tampering with public records.”

State v. McNally, 443 A.2d 56 (Me. 1982). “1981), and of tampering with public records or information, 17-A M.R.S.A. § 456(1)(B) (Supp.1981). 1 Finding no reversible error in any of defendant’s eight points on appeal, we affirm his conviction.”

Plourde v. Redington-fairview Hosp. (D. Me. 2021). “He also asserts MCC claims against all defendants for tampering with information, pursuant to 17-A M.R.S. § 456, and falsification of physical evidence, pursuant to 17-A M.”

— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 456(1)(A) — 2 cases

State v. Spaulding, 1998 ME 29 (Me. 1998). “" 17-A M.R.S.A. § 456 comment (1975). The Massachusetts Revision Commission Note for section 7, tampering with public records or documents reads: The protection given by § 7 to public records, documents and things kept by or for the information of the government is almost…”

State of Maine v. Danielle A. Beckwith, 2015 ME 72 (Me. 2015). “Therefore, Beck-with's attempt to steal over $1,000 is a Class D crime.”

— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 456(1)(B) — 1 case

State v. McNally, 443 A.2d 56 (Me. 1982). “1981), and of tampering with public records or information, 17-A M.R.S.A. § 456(1)(B) (Supp.1981). 1 Finding no reversible error in any of defendant’s eight points on appeal, we affirm his conviction.”

— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 456(1)(C) — 1 case

State of Maine v. Claudia G. Viles, 2017 ME 148 (Me. 2017). “17-A M.R.S. § 456(1)(C) (2016). On appeal, she contends that there was insufficient evidence for the jury to find her guilty of theft by unauthorized taking or transfer -and tampering with public records.”

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