The criminal offense of lewd acts with a minor, or lewd and lascivious acts with a minor, is generally committed when (1) the offender touches the child’s body or gets the child to touch the child’s body, the offender’s body, or someone else; (2) the touching occurs on bare skin or through clothing; (3) the touching was for sexual reasons; and (4) the child was under 14 years of age.

Laws regarding lewd acts with a minor vary from state to state, including the required age of the child and the required elements of the criminal offense. And some states classify the criminal offense of lewd acts with minor as the criminal offense of indecency with a minor, or lewd or indecent proposals or acts to a child, or a similar offense.

Some states have expanded the definition of these laws to include looking at the body or private parts of a child in a sexual manner, or causing or forcing a child to witness sex acts in the presence of the child. These states prosecute persons who engage in such activity in online video chat rooms for this criminal offense.

The criminal offense of lewd acts with a minor (or similar offense) is generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In Maine, the criminal offense of engaging in lewd acts with a minor is addressed under the state's statutes concerning sexual offenses. Specifically, Maine law criminalizes unlawful sexual contact, which may include lewd or lascivious acts, when the victim is under the age of 14. The elements of the offense typically require that there is intentional touching, either directly or through clothing, of the sexual or other intimate parts of the body for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire. Maine law also addresses the issue of indecent exposure and visual sexual aggression against children, which can include causing a child to engage in or witness sexual acts or exposing oneself to a minor. The exact statutes detailing these offenses can be found in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 17-A, which is the state's criminal code. Penalties for such offenses can be severe and may include imprisonment, fines, and registration as a sex offender. It is important for individuals facing such charges to consult with an attorney who is knowledgeable in Maine's criminal law to understand the specific charges and potential defenses.