In prosecutions under section 971 if a log, mast or spar is found in the possession of the accused partly destroyed, partly sawed or manufactured, or with the marks cut out or altered, not being that person's property, it is presumptive evidence of that person's guilt. The burden of proof is then on that person. Whoever is guilty of the offense described in section 971 is liable to the owner, in a civil action, for double the value of the log, mast or spar so dealt with.
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 38, § 973
Presumptions; double damages
RR 2003, c. 2, §118 (COR).
Official source: Maine Legislature. Reproduced from public-domain Maine statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.