Maine Governor Vetoes Proposal to Amend 'Three Strikes' Law for Petty Theft

Governor Janet Mills cites concerns over increasing retail thefts and the need for stringent measures to maintain public safety.

Governor Janet Mills vetoed a proposal aimed to prevent charging petty theft as a felony after two prior convictions.
The vetoed bill proposed a threshold of $500 for theft by repeat offenders to avoid felony charges.
Mills argued the change could make Maine an outlier in New England, where other states are toughening their laws.
Supporters, including the ACLU of Maine, believe the bill would have made criminal codes more proportionate to the offenses.
The bill was criticized for its fast-track approval and lack of broad input from affected parties.