{"data":{"id":"us-me/17-a-m.r.s.-1703","jurisdiction":"us-me","citation":"17-A M.R.S. §1703","heading":"Use of fine relative to individuals","body":"Except when specifically precluded, in choosing the appropriate punishment for an individual convicted of a crime, the court shall consider the desirability of imposing a sentencing alternative involving a fine either in conjunction with or in lieu of a sentencing alternative involving imprisonment.  A sentencing alternative involving imprisonment may not be imposed by a court solely for the reason that the individual does not have the present or future financial capacity to pay a fine.","path":["TITLE 17-A: MAINE CRIMINAL CODE","PART 6: PUNISHMENTS","CHAPTER 65: FINES, FEES, ASSESSMENTS AND SURCHARGES","SUBCHAPTER 1: FINES"],"source_url":"https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/17-A/title17-Asec1703.html","current_through":"January 1, 2026","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-04T15:12:28Z","sha256":"1373c481d58b6ff24e2318ad7e4cfea0bf24373c845637094a13f205eace2064","source_id":"us-me","stale":false,"prev":"us-me/17-a-m.r.s.-1702","next":"us-me/17-a-m.r.s.-1704"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}