Articles Posted in Operation and DUI

Getting charged with an OUI in Maine can be a frightening experience. Working with an experienced Portland ME DUI lawyer who understands how to negotiate a Maine OUI plea bargain can make the difference between a conviction and getting your charges reduced or dismissed. With proper legal representation and the right circumstances, it may be possible to avoid the most serious consequences of an OUI charge.

How to Get Out of an OUI in Maine

Successfully fighting an OUI charge requires understanding Maine’s complex OUI penalties and working with skilled legal counsel. First-time offenders face a minimum $500 fine and 150-day license suspension. More severe penalties apply when drivers refuse testing, with a minimum 96 hours of jail time. Those with a high BAC over .15 face at least 48 hours behind bars. Multiple offenses within 10 years or accidents resulting in injuries carry even harsher consequences.

First-time OUI charges in Maine can be frightening, but you have options. Working with a skilled Portland ME DUI lawyer can help protect your rights and future. Understanding the possibility of jail time and exploring a Maine OUI plea bargain are crucial first steps in defending against these serious charges.

While standard cases typically don’t result in jail time, certain circumstances trigger mandatory minimum jail sentences. You’ll face 48 hours if your BAC is 0.15% or higher, if you were speeding 30+ mph over the limit, or had a passenger under 21. Refusing a chemical test (breath test or blood test) results in a mandatory 96-hour jail sentence.

For an OUI Maine first offense, standard penalties include a minimum fine of $500 plus surcharges, license suspension for 150 days, and mandatory completion of the Driver Education and Evaluation Program (DEEP).

Facing DUI charges in Portland, Maine can feel overwhelming. The consequences of an Operating Under the Influence (OUI) conviction can impact every aspect of your life – from your ability to drive to your future employment opportunities. However, with proper legal representation and understanding of your rights, you can fight these charges effectively.

How Long Does an OUI Stay On Your Record in Maine?

In Maine, OUI convictions have lasting consequences for your record. Maine OUI penalties include permanent placement on your criminal record – there is no expungement option. While the state uses a 10-year “look-back” period for determining repeat offender status, the conviction itself remains visible to employers, insurers, and law enforcement indefinitely.

By: Vincent LoConte, Criminal Defense Attorney With Webb Law Maine 

 Like all other states, many types of driver license suspension statutes exist under Maine Laws. The Pine Tree State sets apart higher punishment and extensions of suspensions or revocations, if the driver caught driving while suspended was doing this in violation of a conviction of an OUI in Maine.  

Penalties under Maine Revised Statutes 29A-Section 2412-A are ramped up dramatically for a 2nd DUS (driving under suspension) or 3rd DUS. This article reviews most of the important Maine statutes OUI, for those facing prosecution in Maine.