Maine
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State Law Evasion Grade | Final Grade |
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Maine
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Forfeiture Law |
| Maine affords property owners some of the better protections against wrongful civil forfeiture in the country. The government must show by a preponderance of evidence that the property is related to a crime and thus can be forfeited. This standard, however, is still less than the beyond a reasonable doubt standard required for a criminal conviction. Unfortunately, the property owner bears the burden in an innocent owner claim, unless the property is real property such as a home. Most importantly, though, Maine forfeiture law avoids the most troubling aspect of many state forfeiture regimes: a monetary incentive to police and prosecute for profit. In Maine, all forfeiture funds go directly to the state’s general fund. |
| Forfeitures as Reported to LEMAS (Drug-related only) |
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| Equitable Sharing Proceeds from the Assets Forfeiture Fund (AFF) |
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| Freedom of Information Data |
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Reports of forfeitures based on case numbers; types and number of law enforcement agencies unclear
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