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OUI, DUI, and DWI charges in Auburn, Maine are aggressively prosecuted, and police are not there to help you. To protect your rights and your future, you need a skilled OUI defense attorney on your side from the start.
Being charged with Operating Under the Influence (OUI) in Auburn, located in Androscoggin County, can have serious and lasting consequences. A conviction may lead to substantial fines, a long-term license suspension, increased insurance costs, and the real possibility of jail time. Police and prosecutors in this region take impaired driving cases seriously, and the decisions you make early on can significantly impact the outcome of your case.
At The Maine Criminal Defense Group, our experienced OUI lawyers understand the complexities of Maine’s impaired driving laws and how they are applied in the Auburn court system. We build strategic, evidence-based defenses to protect your rights, challenge the traffic stop or chemical test results, and work to reduce or eliminate the penalties you face.
If you’ve been arrested for OUI in Auburn, having a skilled defense attorney on your side can make all the difference.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact us online to schedule a consult with one of our highly skilled OUI/DUI & criminal defense attorneys, serving Maine, today.
Under Maine OUI laws, you are not allowed to operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicant. Most drivers know this and many also understand that the legal limit is .08 percent Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC).
In Maine, you can be arrested and charged with an OUI even if you are within the legal limit. If a law enforcement officer suspects you of operating a vehicle in an impaired way, you will be arrested and asked to submit to certain tests.
Review the potential penalties for operating under the influence charges in Maine.
| No. of Offense (Last 10 Years) | License Suspension | Jail Time | Minimum Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Offense | 150 Days | 0 – 96 Hours | $500 |
| 2nd Offense | 3 Years | 7 Days | $700 |
| 3rd Offense | 6 Years | 30 Days | $1,100 |
| 4th Offense | 8 Years | 6 Months | $2,100 |
A “first OUI offense” means that you do not have any prior OUI convictions in any state within the preceding 10 years.
Maine imposes the following set of mandatory minimum criminal penalties for a first offense OUI conviction:
Auburn judges frequently exceed these minimum penalties and hand down harsher punishments. It’s important to bear in mind that even for a first conviction, Maine OUI laws allow for a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail.
Penalties for second and subsequent OUI offenses carry harsher minimum and maximum penalties.
The BMV in Auburn doesn’t wait for a conviction before suspending your driver’s license.
If you fail a breathalyzer test with a BAC of .08 percent or higher, the BMV will suspend your driver’s license. This is an automatic suspension unless you contest it by requesting an administrative hearing (in writing) within 10 days of the notice of suspension date.
An OUI lawyer from The Maine Criminal Defense Group can file for and represent you at the hearing, which can be especially beneficial if you live out of state or are busy working.
If you are unsuccessful at your BMV hearing and are later convicted in court, any criminal driving suspension runs concurrently with the BMV one. You serve the suspension only once.
For a second OUI offense in Maine, it’s considered a Class D crime with potential penalties. The maximum jail term is 364 days, and fines can reach up to $2,000. Mandatory minimum penalties include:
If you refused a chemical test, the penalties become more severe:
To learn more about the penalties for subsequent OUI charges in Maine, please review our comprehensive guide or contact us directly.
For drivers under the age of 21 (the legal drinking limit in Maine), Zero Tolerance laws apply for OUI.
Your license will be suspended by the BMV for any amount of alcohol and, for a first-time OUI, you will face the following criminal penalties:
You are breaking the law if you refuse a breath, blood or urine test if you are suspected of OUI in Auburn and requested to submit a chemical sample.
This is known as the “implied consent” law, meaning that drivers in Maine must submit to a BAC test or breathalyzer when requested by a qualified law enforcement officer. Refusal will lead to an automatic suspension of your driving privileges for 275 days.
For drivers under the age of 21, a refusal means an automatic suspension of driving privileges for 18 months.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact us online to schedule a consult with one of our highly skilled OUI/DUI & criminal defense attorneys, serving Maine, today.
19 Commercial Street
Portland, ME 04101
Phone:Â (207) 835-3647
Monday through Friday 9AM – 5PM
Contact one of our experienced Auburn OUI attorneys through our Portland, Maine office, to help you avoid much of the aforementioned pain and headache that comes with getting arrested for an operating under the influence offense.
In Auburn, Maine, OUI is processed in Androscoggin County through the Unified Criminal Docket (UCD). This means that we will not need to transfer your case to the superior court for a jury on a misdemeanor OUI.
While this is generally good news for defendants, it does mean that the case may not be heard locally but at some distance from where the alleged offense occurred.
An OUI case will go through the following legal steps:
During arraignment in Auburn, Maine, the defendant appears before a judge, hears the charges, and enters a plea. This crucial step sets the stage for subsequent legal proceedings in the case.
About six weeks after arraignment, the defense, prosecution and sometimes the judge meet to discuss whether a negotiated resolution is possible.
The defense in OUI cases often files motions to suppress evidence or for additional discovery. This must happen no later than the day after the dispositional conference and will be heard around two weeks after the dispositional conference.
If the OUI case proceeds to trial, jury selection in Auburn generally happens on a Monday a few weeks after the motion hearing date.
The trial is usually scheduled for around two weeks after jury selection. Before then, more motions may be filed to decide on the evidence that the jury will see. The OUI trial process normally takes around one or two days in Auburn.
In Auburn, Maine, facing an OUI, DUI, DWI charge can be a daunting experience, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our dedicated OUI defense team is here to protect your rights, challenge evidence, and work towards the best possible outcome for your case.
With a proven track record of success, we are committed to providing you with expert legal guidance and unwavering support during this challenging time. If you have any questions about the process of dealing with an OUI charge in Auburn, Maine call The Maine Criminal Defense Group.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact us online to schedule a consult with one of our highly skilled OUI/DUI & criminal defense attorneys, serving Maine, today.
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Great group of people. Managed to get me a favorable outcome from a very bad situation. I would highly recommend this firm if you have legal troubles. Top notch performance!!
So thankful I chose this team to represent me. They’re the best, hands down. Nathan Hitchcock proved my innocence not once but TWICE, including a trial by jury. I have a family in law enforcement who told me “Bill Bly and his team are the best. If I would recommend anyone, it would be them.”
If you are facing criminal charges or an OUI, DUI, DWI offense in Maine, the attorneys at The Maine Criminal Defense Group are here to help. Call our office to speak with one of our team members, who will discuss your case with you and set up a consultation with one of our attorneys.
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