Opinion ID: 2051813
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Elevation of Charges

Text: [¶ 6] Nastvogel argues that, strictly construed, the enhanced charging provision in the stalking statute, 17-A M.R.S.A. § 210-A(3), precludes the application of the general statute providing for enhanced charges for repeat offenders, 17-A M.R.S.A. § 1252(4-A). The interpretation of statutes is a question of law that we review de novo. State v. Day, 2000 ME 192, ¶ 5, 760 A.2d 1039, 1040. In addition, [a] criminal statute must be strictly construed. Id. Any ambiguity left unresolved by the strict interpretation of criminal statutes must be resolved in favor of the defendant, State v. Wilder, 2000 ME 32, ¶ 30, 748 A.2d 444, 452, but [s]tatutory language must be construed `to avoid absurd, illogical, or inconsistent results.' State v. Day, 1999 ME 29, ¶ 13, 724 A.2d 1245, 1247 (quoting Fullerton v. Knox County Comm'rs, 672 A.2d 592, 594 (Me. 1996)). Specific criminal statutory provisions take precedence over general ones. Id. (citing S. Portland Civil Serv. Comm'n v. City of S. Portland, 667 A.2d 599, 601 (Me.1995)). [¶ 7] The stalking statute specifically provides for an enhanced charge if the accused previously has been found guilty twice of stalking or the violation of specific domestic violence related civil statutes: 5 M.R.S.A. § 4659 (2002) (violation of a protective order), 15 M.R.S.A. § 321 (Supp 2001) (protective orders in crimes between family members), former 19 M.R.S.A. § 769 (1981), repealed by P.L.1995, ch. 694, § B-1 (effective October 1997), and 19-A M.R.S.A. § 4011 (1998 & Supp.2001) (protection from abuse). 17-A M.R.S.A § 210-A(3). Section 1252(4-A) allows the State to elevate by one sentencing class its charging of a crime under chapters 9, 11, 13, or 27 of the MAINE CRIMINAL CODE, if the accused previously has been convicted of 2 or more crimes violating chapters 9, 11, 13, or 27. 17-A M.R.S.A. § 1252(4-A). Crimes proscribed by those chapters include assault, 17-A M.R.S.A § 207, and stalking, 17-A M.R.S.A. § 210-A. Both sections 210-A(3) and 1252(4-A) allow for enhanced charging for prior stalking convictions. [¶ 8] Although the two statutes make no reference to each other, they can be read to operate in concert. With the exception of stalking, which is mentioned in both sections, each statute provides for what the other does not. Reference to stalking in both statutes does not create surplusage so as to warrant finding an inconsistency between the two sections. The extra enhanced charging provisions in the stalking statute pertain to domestic violence related offenses that are, with the exception of stalking, found outside the criminal code and are in addition to those found in the general enhanced charging statute that addresses prior criminal convictions. Thus there is no inconsistency between section 210-A(3) and 1252(4-A).