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Choose a Professional Maine Criminal Lawyer - Right Now
Getting charged with a state criminal offense like fraud or DUI can be concerning and you are probably trying to figure out what to do. You may be wondering who will listen to your side of the story, what your rights are, what affect this may have on your personal life, and where you can turn for help.
As soon as you can, you should speak with a lawyer. Having a Maine criminal lawyer on your side can help eliminate costly mistakes and lessen the chances of harsh consequences. Remember, it is totally within your rights to speak with a criminal lawyer before you speak with authorities. The sooner you can meet with a Maine criminal attorney, the better off you will be. Keep in mind that not everyone who is charged with a state offense will be found guilty. Having a qualified and professional criminal lawyer can protect you and your family by explaining the options you have, including your rights. Many attorneys will even offer free advice at the start so you can more easily plan your next steps.
Do you Need a Professional Criminal Lawyer for State Charges?
Our professional, veteran criminal lawyers have experience in a wide variety of cases ranging from drugs to fraud to domestic violence. We have highly-qualified lawyers on our team that focus in areas criminal defense such as aggravated assault, theft, kidnapping, probation violations, manslaughter and many more.
There is really no time to waste. It doesn’t matter if you have already been charged or even if you have done something that you are expecting charges for, the longer you put off getting an attorney on your side the fewer options you will have. Our Maine attorneys understand the way state laws work and can give you excellent advice during your consultation.
We Can Help You with DUI Charges
One of the most common charges that are placed against someone is a DUI charge. The consequences of such a charge can really run the gamut and can include anything from a night in jail and a forced alcohol education class to a heavy fine and loss of your driver’s license. Our attorneys have the knowledge of state laws that is needed to fight for you in a DUI case. We can help you do things like figure out whether or not you qualify as a first offender, explain any fines and other penalties you may face, discuss how this charge could affect other parts of your life like your job or insurance standing, and explain how you can plan a great defense along with expert assistance from our attorneys.
We Focus on Particular Areas of the Law
One thing that we can offer to our clients is our intense concentration in certain areas of the law. Our Mainecriminal defense lawyers focus on specific areas which allow them to build a very strong knowledge base and extensive experience in particular case types. Our attorneys have the knowhow that is needed when it comes to Maine laws regarding your personal criminal case, and they will determine a good strategy for your defense based on this knowledge. We will be able to partner you with the top criminal defense lawyer to meet your needs.
Wondering What to Expect from Your Lawyer?
You will be able to get a free initial consultation with your criminal lawyer during which you will meet with him or her to talk about your case. Your lawyer will share their knowledge with you about the charges at hand and talk about your defense options. It is important that during this consultation and at all subsequent meetings with your lawyer that you are honest. Your lawyer will keep all information given to them confidential and their duty is to represent your best interests. You should take the advice of your lawyer and understand that you may need to be patient during this process in order to optimize your defense.
We Have the Reputation You Need
In cases like this, reputation will definitely count. Our criminal lawyers are members of various professional associations like the National Associate of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Their professional histories are easy to track and you will be able to view their successes just by doing a small amount of research. Our lawyers have been painstakingly vetted in order to provide high quality service for our clients.
We are Lawyers That You Can Trust
When choosing a lawyer you should find one who will competently and earnestly fight for your best interests. He or she will build trust with you, only engage in ethical practices and always show confidence in your case. Our Maine attorneys will present you with several methods to handle your case.
Avoid more problems by finding a Maine attorney as soon as you can. Their expert assistance will not only protect your rights but give you increased peace of mind as well. Call us today.
Are You Facing Criminal Charges and need a Maine Criminal defense lawyer?
If you have been arrested for or charged with a crime in Maine, your first priority is to speak with a criminal defense lawyer from within the state regarding a strong defense against these serious charges. While Maine views criminal charges as falling within several classifications – and designates specific potential punishments for every crime committed within the state – all criminal charges require a skilled and tactical approach which only qualified lawyers can provide.
Crimes in Maine are classified into two distinct categories based on severity and potential punishment. Any crime for which a convicted individual can be punished by more than a year of incarceration is considered a felony and, because its term of incarceration may be longer than one year, such sentences are served in state prison. Less serious offenses – those with a range of punishment that is likely to be shorter than one year of incarceration are referred to as misdemeanors, and their sentences are generally served in county jails.
Both felonies and misdemeanors are further classified. Every crime will be ranked as a Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D or Class E offense. Of these, Class D and Class E offenses are misdemeanors and the three higher classifications are felonies. These narrower classifications further direct the maximum and minimum terms of incarceration and potential fines that will be levied against an individual who is convicted of each crime. What these classifications do not indicate, however, is a description of the actual unlawful activity that led to the filing of criminal charges. For instance, based on certain circumstances, a Class A felony – the most serious crime in the state – can be any one of these: murder, gross sexual assault, or aggravated assault.
To ensure that yours is a robust defense to criminal charges levied in Maine, you need to have a thorough understanding of these classifications and the exact charges against you. Engaging an attorney from the Criminal Lawyer is an efficient way to gather the information you need and enlist the assistance of a professional who can form a strategic, thoughtful defense.
Locate a Maine criminal defense lawyer here.
Five Common Crimes Charged in Maine
A criminal lawyer will undoubtedly be your most helpful resource when it comes to information regarding your criminal charges. However, at the Criminal Lawyer, we understand that being arrested or charged with a crime can be very intimidating and that you may require certain specific information immediately. We encourage you to learn about the specifics of crimes in the State of Maine and then contact any of our Maine attorneys with any questions.
Identity Theft
Called misuse of identification in the Maine criminal statutes, identity theft became the most commonly committed crimes in the state during 2015. As a Class D crime under Maine law, misuse of identification is a misdemeanor. The potential penalty for conviction of identity theft is up to one year in county jail and/or a fine of up to $2,000.
Under Maine law, identity theft is more than presenting fake identification, it also encompasses several scenarios that involve using another individual’s identity. Specifically, the criminal statute prohibits intentionally or knowingly:
To be charged with identity theft, an individual must have been using or trying to use a false identity to obtain confidential information, property, or services. Simply having a debit card, credit card, or identification in your possession does not qualify for this particular offense.
Identity theft is also prohibited by federal law and, in certain instances, an individual may be charged with a criminal offense in federal criminal court. Not every Maine criminal defense lawyer is qualified to appear in criminal court, however, you can always find one who is through our site.
Find a top Maine criminal defense lawyer here.
Assault
The Maine criminal statutes define assault as intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury or harm to another person, and a clear understanding of the specific levels of intent contemplated by this statute is incredibly important, both when formulating a strong defense against your assault charges and in the prosecution of an assault crime. It is not enough for a person to have accidentally (negligently) caused bodily injury to another. Rather, the injury must have been caused intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly.
Maine law requires an actual bodily injury to have occurred in order to justify bringing an assault charge, unlike many other states that use this term to criminalize such lesser events as intimidation or the deliberate attempt to inflict bodily injury. However, in this instance, bodily injury applies to a broad range of contact types. The injury in question need not have long-lasting effects – such as a broken bone – but can involve only temporary pain. Assault also criminalizes bodily injury that is offensive, even if not painful.
Maine law requires an actual bodily injury to have occurred in order to justify bringing an assault charge, unlike many other states that use this term to criminalize such lesser events as intimidation or the deliberate attempt to inflict bodily injury. However, in this instance, bodily injury applies to a broad range of contact types. The injury in question need not have long-lasting effects – such as a broken bone – but can involve only temporary pain. Assault also criminalizes bodily injury that is offensive, even if not painful.
Maine recognizes two classifications of assault. The first, referred to as simple assault, is a Class D misdemeanor. Its maximum punishment, therefore, is one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,000. An assault on an individual under the age of six, however, is a Class C felony and, upon conviction, the potential punishment can be as much as five years in state prison and/or a $5,000 fine.
The second classification, aggravated assault, is a separate criminal offense from simple assault. This is a Class B felony and, in particularly egregious circumstances, an individual can be charged with a Class A felony. Aggravated assault becomes a Class B crime when an individual intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury that:
The definition of extreme indifference to human life takes into consideration both the method and means of inflicting an injury and includes such actions as strangulation. When charged as a Class B felony, aggravated assault can be punished by up to 10 years in state prison and/or as much as $20,000 in fines.
If an individual intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly inflicts bodily injury that causes a serious or permanent disfigurement to the victim, or results in a substantial or permanent impairment of a bodily “member” or organ, Maine law classifies that incidence of aggravated assault as a Class A felony. This harsh classification carries a punishment of 40 years in state prison and $50,000 in fines.
Find the best Maine criminal defenses here.
Theft
The broad definition of theft, as set forth in Maine law, is to obtain or exercise control over property belonging to another person with the intent of depriving such person of that property permanently. While this definition refers specifically to property, the law also prohibits unlawfully obtaining services or insurance. Other actions related to theft are similarly criminalized, such as extortion and the acceptance of property which you know – or should know – is stolen.
Theft is classified in a number of ways, based on the value of the property stolen. In Maine, theft charges can range from as low as a Class E misdemeanor up to the level of a Class B felony, which is the second-most serious crime classification in the state. At this level, the punishment can quickly escalate if you are convicted of the theft of expensive or multiple pieces of property. For example:
Burglary
Under the Maine criminal code, burglary is defined as unlawfully entering a person’s structure or unlawfully remaining in a building with the intention of committing a crime. In this context, Maine law defines the term, unlawfully, as without license or privilege to be in the structure. Falling under this broad definition, most burglaries in Maine are Class C felonies, but certain specific circumstances can increase the seriousness of the charge.
Burglary becomes a Class B felony if:
Under specific circumstances, burglary can even become a Class A felony. These circumstances include committing a burglary while one is armed with a firearm or with the knowledge that an accomplice in a burglary is armed with a firearm. To be considered a Class A felony, the burglar does not have to actually use the firearm, or even threaten to use the firearm.
Any conviction on a charge of burglary in Maine requires a minimum fine of $300, plus other punishment as the judge feels appropriate based on the maximum and minimum penalties listed on the schedule provided by the Maine legislature. Class C burglaries can be punished by five years in state prison and/or a $5,000 fine. Class B burglaries can be punished by 10 years in state prison and/or a $20,000 fine. Class A burglaries can be punished by 30 years in state prison and/or a $50,000 fine.Find the best Maine criminal defense lawyer here.
Gross Sexual Assault
Maine’s gross sexual assault law covers some of the most serious crimes in the state, including rape, non-consensual sexual intercourse, and a number of other unlawful sexual acts. These crimes are classified as either Class A or Class B felonies, and conviction carries the potential for very harsh sentences.
Maine law specifically prohibits sexual acts performed under compulsion, with a victim under the age of 14 who is not the spouse of the individual, and with a victim under the age of 12 who is not the spouse of the individual as Class A felonies. Sexual assault is a Class B felony if:
When gross sexual assault is charged as a Class C felony, the potential punishment is five years in state prison and/or a $5,000 fine. When gross sexual assault is charged as a Class B felony, the potential punishment is 10 years in state prison and/or a $20,000 fine. When gross sexual assault is charged as a Class A felony, the potential punishment is 30 years in state prison and/or a $50,000 fine.
Locate the top sexual abuse lawyers in Maine, go here.
Other Crimes
The lawyers who comprise Criminal Lawyer are prepared to defend you against a variety of crimes in Maine. Our experience extends well beyond the most common crimes in the state, and our expertise includes defense of federal crimes and appellate level defense. Whether you are seeking a lawyer to defend you against such serious charges as murder, or in a less severe matter such as the misdemeanor possession of a narcotic, we stand ready to help.
Importance of an Experienced Maine Criminal Defense Lawyer
The experienced lawyers you will encounter at Criminal Lawyer not only understand Maine’s criminal laws but have amassed an in-depth knowledge of the criminal justice system in the state. This means they have gained familiarity with certain judges and prosecuting attorneys. It also means they know how to navigate the complex procedures and processes that are specific to the legal system in Maine. You cannot simply read this depth of information online or garner this breadth of knowledge from a statute, it comes only from actual, hands-on experience.
Therefore, regardless of the crime or perceived seriousness of your situation, you should consider hiring a qualified criminal defense attorney. Doing so can prevent the loss of years of your life in prison, avoid the need to pay a substantial fine, or keep a criminal conviction off your record. You want to secure your best chance of beating criminal charges, and engaging a Maine criminal defense lawyer with criminal experience in the state sets you up for the best possible outcome.
If you don’t know where to turn as you seek defense from criminal charges in Maine, turn to us.
[Disclaimer - this is not legal advice.]