Statute of Limitations for Class B / 2nd Degree Felony in Maine

Overview

In Maine, the statute of limitations (SOL) for bringing a criminal case generally depends on the seriousness of the offense and is governed by Maine’s criminal code. For a Class B felony / “2nd degree felony” type charge, the relevant starting point is Maine’s general SOL rule for felonies.

DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations calculator uses this general/default rule when a more specific subclass rule does not apply. In your scenario, no claim-type-specific sub-rule was found, so the SOL period discussed below is the general/default period under Maine law.

Limitation period

General SOL period (default rule)

Maine sets a general SOL period for criminal prosecutions in Title 17-A, § 8. For the matter type you described (Class B / “2nd degree” felony), the general/default SOL period is 0.5 years.

That means:

• 0.5 years = 6 months (calendar approximation commonly used in calculators)
• The prosecution must generally be commenced within that window.

How “0.5 years” should be read

Even when the statute uses year-based language, the practical effect is usually measured in months/days for computation. DocketMath translates the SOL period into an actionable timeframe so you can see an end date.

What changes the output:

• Start date you enter (for example, date of the alleged offense or another key date tied to the case facts)
• Whether any exceptions or tolling events apply (see next section)

If your case has no tolling or exception, then the SOL window ends at roughly 6 months from the calculator’s start date input.

Key exceptions

Maine SOL rules can be altered by statutory exceptions and by circumstances that toll (pause) or restart time. Your situation may involve facts that change the calculation, so your inputs to DocketMath should be as specific as you can.

Below are categories to watch for when working through Maine SOL computations (without assuming any one of them applies automatically).

1) Tolling events that pause the SOL clock

Certain procedural or factual events can stop the SOL clock from running for some time (for example, delays attributable to particular proceedings). If your timeline includes one of these events, the effective SOL deadline may move later than “start date + 6 months.”

2) Exceptions tied to offense classification or special circumstances

Even though the general/default period applies here, SOL can sometimes be different for certain offense types or special circumstances. Your content brief indicates no claim-type-specific sub-rule was found for a Class B / 2nd degree felony, so you should treat the 0.5-year rule as the default unless your case facts point to an exception.

3) Commencement of prosecution vs. investigation timing

A common misconception is equating “when investigators start work” with “when prosecution is commenced.” SOL analysis depends on when the case is formally commenced under Maine procedure, not merely when evidence surfaced.

Practical checklist for exception review

Before relying on a straight “6 months” calculation, review:

If you can’t answer those questions with certainty, DocketMath can still show the default deadline while you gather facts—just be careful not to treat the output as a final legal conclusion.

Statute citation

The general/default statute of limitations rule referenced by DocketMath for Maine is:

• Maine Criminal Code — Title 17-A, § 8

  • Source: https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/17-a/title17-asec8.html?utm_source=openai

Per the jurisdiction data for this page, the general SOL period used for this offense level is:

• **0.5 years (6 months)

Use the calculator

To compute the SOL deadline using DocketMath, use the statute-of-limitations calculator:

What you’ll input

Because SOL is time-bound, the calculator typically needs:

1. Jurisdiction: Maine (US-ME)
2. Offense type: Class B / 2nd degree felony (mapped to the general/default SOL rule here)
3. Start date: the date your case uses as the triggering point for SOL measurement

What DocketMath does with your inputs

Given the general/default SOL period of 0.5 years (6 months) under 17-A, § 8, the calculator will generally produce:

• A default expiration date = start date + 6 months

Then, if you provide information that indicates tolling or exception applicability (where the calculator’s workflow supports it), the deadline may shift later.

How outputs change (scenario examples)

Gentle accuracy reminder

SOL computations can be sensitive to:

• the specific statutory provision applied,
• the definition of the operative “commencement” date, and
• how courts treat particular procedural timelines.

Use DocketMath to generate a clear baseline deadline, then verify case-specific facts against the statute and docket history.

Related reading

• Choosing the right statute of limitations tool for Vermont — Tool comparison
• Statute of limitations in Singapore: how to estimate the deadline — How-to guide
• Choosing the right statute of limitations tool for Connecticut — Tool comparison