1. 1. All civil violations are expressly declared not to be criminal offenses. They are enforceable by the Attorney General, the Attorney General's representative or any other appropriate public official in a civil action to recover what may be designated a fine, penalty or other sanction, or to secure the forfeiture that may be decreed by the law.

   [PL 2007, c. 173, §3 (AMD).]

2. 2. A law or ordinance may be expressly designated as a civil violation.

   [PL 1985, c. 282, §3 (NEW).]

3. 3. A law or ordinance which prohibits defined conduct, but does not provide an imprisonment penalty, is a civil violation, enforceable in accordance with subsection 1. A law or ordinance which is stated to be a criminal violation or which otherwise uses language indicating that it is a crime, but does not provide an imprisonment penalty is a civil violation, enforceable in accordance with subsection 1, unless the law or ordinance is an exception to the operation of this subsection.

   [PL 1985, c. 282, §3 (NEW).]

4. 4. Evidence obtained pursuant to an unlawful search and seizure shall not be admissible in a civil violation proceeding arising under Title 22, section 2383.

   [PL 1985, c. 282, §3 (NEW).]

PL 1985, c. 282, §3 (NEW). PL 2007, c. 173, §3 (AMD).