Maine Criminal Defense Laws

Prosecutions for unlawful sexual contact or gross sexual assault (Class A, B, or C) must be commenced within 20 years.

There is no statute of limitations for sexual contact or abuse offenses where the victim was under 16 years of age.

Maine classifies crimes by class: Class A felonies carry up to 30 years; Class B up to 10 years; Class C up to 5 years; Class D misdemeanors up to 364 days and $2,000 fine; Class E misdemeanors up to 6 months and $1,000 fine.

Maine allows sealing of Class E conviction records (not expungement) if the person was 18–27 at the time of the offense, 4 years have passed since completing the sentence, and there have been no subsequent convictions. Sexual assault convictions are excluded.

A first OUI offense is a Class D crime with a minimum $500 fine, 150-day license suspension, and potential jail time (48 hours mandatory if BAC is .15% or higher). A third offense within 10 years is a Class C felony with up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

A person charged with a crime punishable by imprisonment is entitled to be represented by an attorney. If the person cannot afford one, the court will appoint counsel.