Articles Posted in Operation and DUI

Maine OUI Lawyer John Scott Webb

After getting an OUI/DUI in Maine, there are often lots of questions that may come into your mind.  Most of them have answers that can be found as you search for legal services.  One question that cannot be answered online is how much does a Maine OUI cost?

Specifically, how much are court fines, OUI school, attorney’s fees, and license reinstatement fees? How much is an ignition interlock device installed on my car? What if I lose my job? What if an OUI on my record keeps me from getting a new job?

Let’s break down these expenses one by one:

IMG_1832x-286x300By: Attorney Vincent S. LoConte

What is the question?

Often in a traffic stop when an officer suspects impairment, they will ask the question “on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being sober and 10 being pass out drunk, how would you rate yourself”. Seems like a straight forward question, but is it really fair, and is there a right and wrong answer?

OUI-300x200If you get a DUI it is very important that you get a good DUI lawyer right away.  If you wait, the chances of losing the case and losing your license get much, much worse.  You may lose the chance to fight your license suspension if you wait too long.  Equally as bad, critical evidence may be destroyed – that’s evidence you need to win.

Most states have a procedure that suspends your license for DUI or refusing a test BEFORE your court date.  In some states the police take your license when they arrest you.  In other states the Motor Vehicles department gets notice from the police about the DUI.  Motor Vehicles then sends you notice of suspension that your license will be suspended soon.  You have a right to fight this suspension, no matter which way they do it.  But that right requires you to tell Motor Vehicles you want to fight it.  The time to let them know is limited.  In my state, Maine, you have ten days from the date of suspension to challenge the suspension.  If you don’t file your challenge within those ten days, you can never challenge it.

Evidence you need to win your case may be lost if you don’t take steps to save it.  Police video cameras record to hard drives.  After a couple of weeks many of those hard drives start to record over the old recordings.  Unless you put the police on notice that you want the video saved, you may LOSE IT FOREVER.  That video may be the only evidence you have to prove the cop wrong.  If there is no video it is your word against the cop’s word.  Who do you think they will believe?

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