What Does Theft of Services Mean?

Theft of services is a criminal offense. It occurs when a person obtains services – available only for compensation – through deception, threat, force, or any other means designed to avoid payment. Unlike theft of physical property, this crime targets the value of labor, utilities, hospitality, and other intangible services.
Understanding theft of services starts with a simple distinction. Stealing a television from a store is theft of property. Walking out of a hotel without paying for a three-night stay is theft of services. Both are criminal offenses under Maine law, but they fall under different statutes.
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