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Belfast Maine Criminal Attorneys

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Criminal Defense Lawyers in Belfast, Maine

Belfast Maine Criminal Defense Lawyers

Located in Waldo County, Belfast has a crime rate that is lower than the national average but slightly above the average for cities in Maine. Like many of the larger cities in Maine, violent crimes are low but property crimes are higher than the country’s average. The majority of property crimes are thefts.

Statistically, it is slightly more dangerous in Belfast than the surrounding cities. The police force only consists of 13 officers, one of which is a volunteer. To help citizens feel safe, the city has a hotline where residents can anonymously report crimes and suspicious behavior.

Criminal Court Location for Belfast, Maine

District courts hear mostly civil cases, but Class D and E criminal trials where the right to a jury has been waived can also take place there. District courts never use juries. There are 13 district courts in the State of Maine. The Belfast District Court is located at:

103 Church Street
Belfast, ME 04915
Clerk: Brooke Otis
Phone: (207) 338-3107
TTY: (207) 338-0893
Court Hours: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Belfast Superior Court

Most criminal trials take place at Superior Court because it is the only court in Maine that uses juries. When you are charged with a crime, you have the right to a trial by jury. If you waive this right, you may have trial at the District Court, but this is rare. The Superior Court of Waldo County is located in Belfast at:

137 Church Street
Belfast, ME 04915

Clerk: Brooke Otis
Phone: (207) 338-1940
TTY: (207) 338-6468
Jury Trial Status: (800) 872-5542

Court Hours: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Criminal Classifications in Belfast, Maine

In Belfast, Maine there are a potential of 5 different categories for criminal charges & misdemeanors. These categories are broken down into the following offense: A, B, C, D, E, and F Class. They are classified starting with Class A being the most serious with the steepest penalties, while a class E charge will have lighter penalties with the potential of lower sentencing.

Class A Penalties

Class A criminal offenses are the most serious of crimes in the state of Maine. They are reserved for criminal charges related to murder, manslaughter, gross sexual assault & rape and aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs.

There is an exception to crimes committed where a dangerous weapon was used to commit said crime. If a dangerous weapon was used while the crime was committed then the class of crime would go up by one class. If the crime was already a class A crime, the judge will consider the use of the weapon when deciding the sentence.

Class A crimes are punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000.

Class B Penalties

Under Maine’s laws, a Class B crime can result in a prison term of up to 10 years and a fine of up to $20,000.

Assaults that cause serious injury or are committed with deadly weapons are Class B crimes.

Class C Penalties

A Class C crime is punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000. (Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. Tit. 17-A § § 1252, 1301.) For example, theft of property worth less than $10,000 but more than $1,000 is a Class C crime in Maine.

Class D Penalties

A class D offense is the highest level of misdemeanor charges. Some of the most common class D misdemeanors stem from domestic violence, assault, and with slight exceptions, any drinking under the influence charges.

A class D misdemeanor can carry a maximum penalty of up to 364 days of jail and a fine of up to $2000. It is recommended that you never simply plead guilty to any class D offense as the judge is known to sentence you to the maximum penalty from which there is little to no recourse available.

Make sure you speak with an experienced criminal attorney immediately if you are unsure.

Class E Penalties

Class E crimes carry a maximum penalty of a fine of up to a $1000 and/or a jail sentence of up to 180 days of jail. It is the class used for the least serious offenses like operating on a suspended license, disorderly conduct and theft under $1,000.

Along with Class D crimes, these charges are typically misdemeanors.

What are the Criminal Statutes of Limitations in Belfast, Maine?

Each state sets restrictions that dictate a set length of time for a plaintiff to bring their case to court.

These restrictions are called statutes of limitations and are in place to keep details of the events fresh in the minds of both the plaintiff and defendant.

The clock on these statutes of limitations begins on the day the questionable act occurred. In Maine, the statute of limitations is 6 years.

Common Criminal Crimes in Belfast, Maine

OUI Charges

It is illegal to drive while impaired by drugs or alcohol or with a BAC of 0.08% or greater in Maine; there are harsh penalties even for those who are convicted for the first time.

From breathalyzer tests to field sobriety tests, there are numerous methods that police officers use to charge someone with a DUI, and challenging these methods is the best way to defeat your charges.

Drug Crimes

A conviction on any drug charge can result in a criminal record, which could have a devastating impact on your future.

A drug conviction could result in serious jail time, end your travel to a number of countries, or even cost you your job. With so much at stake, it is important that you have strong representation from an effective criminal attorney.

Examples of common drug-related crimes in Belfast, Maine are crimes involving illegal or controlled substances including drug possession, trafficking, cultivation of drugs, and prescription fraud.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence arrests accounted for 45.1% of all arrests in Maine in 2010. It is relatively easy to accuse someone of domestic violence, and those who are wrongfully accused may have a difficult time saving their reputation, relationships and career. Thankfully, there is a way to challenge domestic violence charges.

Sex Crimes

Sex crimes are some of the worst crimes possible. Sex crimes are classified as Class A crimes in Maine, and carry harsh penalties, sentences, & fines. Title 17A, Chapter 11 covers all of the sex crime offenses in Maine which include but are not limited to:

As soon as an individual is convicted of certain sex crimes in Maine, they are required to register as a sex offender in the national registry and report on where they live, work and go to school. Sex offender registration is extremely detrimental to one’s future, and those who are accused of sex crimes must do everything in their power to avoid a conviction.

White Collar Crimes

White-collar crimes include a full range of fraudulent activities committed by business and government professionals. From credit card fraud to embezzlement and identity theft, these non-violent crimes have the potential to destroy the career and reputation of the one who has been accused of committing them.

Theft Crimes

According to the Maine Department of Public Safety, a robbery was committed every 21 hours in Maine during the year of 2010. Robbery, burglary and other property theft crimes are on the rise throughout the entire state, and various District Attorney offices are aggressively prosecuting suspected offenders. The penalties for theft crimes can include lengthy prison time, especially if aggravating circumstances are involved.

Violent Crimes

The classification of violent crimes in Maine ranges from Class D misdemeanors to Class A felonies. Murder, manslaughter, assault, criminal threatening, stalking and terrorizing are but a few of the violent crimes that one can be accused of.

Weapon Charges

The gun laws in Maine regulate the possession, sale, and use of firearms and ammunition throughout the state. Maine allows for the concealed carry of a weapon upon the issue of a permit from the local or state police, and it is unlawful to carry any firearm concealed without this permit. In addition to federal gun laws, Maine state laws also prohibit people from carrying guns for other reasons as well.

Contact Our Criminal Defense Lawyers in Belfast, Maine

For every criminal offense, there is also a defense option. If you have been arrested in Belfast, contact The Maine Criminal Defense Group online or call us directly today. Our attorneys are experienced with the criminal system in Maine and will be able to assist you regardless of the charges you are facing.

No matter the criminal charges, the misdemeanor, or the felony, it is important that you seek legal help immediately after you are charged with any crime as the law is complex and a professional can help you navigate the system.

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