Opinion ID: 2390952
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Maximum Sentences

Text: Conduct that falls within the same statutory definition of a crime may be committed in a number of different ways with varying degrees of seriousness. Hallowell, 577 A.2d at 781; see State v. St. Pierre, 584 A.2d 618, 621-22 (Me.1990). The criminal offense in this case is gross sexual misconduct involving child victims. 17-A M.R.S.A. § 253(1)(B). Gross sexual misconduct, especially involving child victims, is a serious and repugnant crime. Before imposing a maximum sentence in a case such as this, however, the trial court must compare the conduct of Michaud on a scale of seriousness against all the possible means of committing gross sexual misconduct, and conclude that it ranks at or near the top of that scale. See Hallowell, 577 A.2d at 781. Michaud took two young girls [7] to an isolated setting, ordered them to remove their clothing, and subjected them to sexual acts. [8] Although there is no question that Michaud's conduct was despicable, [9] gross sexual misconduct could be committed in much more aggravating and heinous ways. Michaud did not expose his genitals or make contact between his genitals and the mouth, anus or genitals of either victim. See 17-A M.R.S.A. § 251(1)(C) (Supp.1990). [10] Nor did Michaud exert violent physical force upon the victims. The entire incident, between the time Michaud abducted the victims and the time he allowed them to leave, lasted about twenty minutes. This gross sexual misconduct, abhorrent as it was, cannot be said to have been committed in the most heinous way that gross sexual misconduct may be committed. [11] Therefore, under the principles enunciated in Hallowell, the imposition of the maximum sentences was inappropriate.