Consultations by Appointment Only
If you are facing a criminal charge, a criminal defense attorney in Portland, Maine can explain the charge, the court process and your options. Cases from Portland are heard at the Cumberland County courthouse on Newbury Street.
A former Maine Assistant District Attorney on our team
Felony defense in all 16 Maine counties
Offices in Kennebunk, Brunswick and Portland
Confidential. Reviewed by an attorney, not an intake service.
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Maine grades crimes from Class A to Class E. Classes D and E are commonly referred to as misdemeanors, and Classes A, B and C as felony-level charges. The class shapes everything that follows.
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Bail conditions take effect when they are signed. A violation is a separate crime, so the conditions are worth reading closely.
Cases can start with a stop in the Old Port, a call to an apartment, or an incident at a store on Congress Street or at the Maine Mall in South Portland.
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Cumberland County cases move through a first appearance, discovery and a dispositional conference, where the prosecutor and the defense discuss the case before any trial.
Possession, furnishing and trafficking. Talk to a Portland, Maine drug crime lawyer about the specific charge.
Cases involving people under 18.
The charge is printed on your summons or bail paper. You can note it in the form, and we will go over it with you.
From our office
Charged outside the city? Cases from South Portland, Westbrook, Scarborough, Falmouth, Gorham and Windham are also heard here. If you are looking for a criminal defense attorney near South Portland, Maine, or a criminal defense lawyer in Westbrook, Maine, this is your courthouse.
We are on Commercial Street along the Portland waterfront. People comparing lawyers in Portland, Maine, or law firms in Portland, Maine that handle criminal cases, are welcome to call with questions first.
Fill in the form or call 207-571-8146 to set up a consultation. We can go over your summons or bail paper with you.
A case starts with an arrest or a summons with a court date.
Conditions are set by a bail commissioner or a judge and apply right away.
The court explains the charge and your rights. For a misdemeanor, a plea of not guilty is usually entered.
The State shares its evidence with the defense.
The prosecutor and the defense meet to discuss the case.
If the case is not resolved, it can go to motions hearing and if necessary, trial.
Founder and Managing Attorney William T. Bly is a seasoned trial lawyer with two decades of experience defending clients in Maine state and federal courts against charges ranging from OUI and drug trafficking to manslaughter and serious sexual assault, drawing on advanced training from Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College.
With nearly 25 years of experience as a former Maine Assistant District Attorney, seasoned trial attorney, and winning appellate advocate before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, Attorney Feldman now brings rigorous preparation, an educator’s clarity, and nonjudgmental compassion to his criminal defense clients.
Criminal cases from Portland are heard at the Cumberland County courthouse, 205 Newbury Street, in the Unified Criminal Docket. Cases from South Portland, Westbrook, Scarborough and other nearby towns go to the same courthouse. Your summons or bail paper lists the court and the date of your first appearance.
At the first appearance, the court explains the charge and your rights, including the right to a lawyer. For a misdemeanor, a plea is usually entered at that time. Felony-level charges generally wait for an indictment or information before a plea. A Cumberland County criminal defense attorney can walk you through it beforehand.
A misdemeanor in Maine is a Class D or E crime, and a conviction creates a criminal record. Whether to hire a lawyer is your decision. A criminal lawyer in Portland, Maine can explain the charge, the possible outcomes and what a conviction would mean before you decide how to handle it.
It can happen, but it depends on the facts and the evidence, and no lawyer can promise a result. Some cases end in dismissal, some in a reduced charge, some in a plea and some at trial. A criminal attorney in Portland, Maine can explain which outcomes are possible in your case.
There is no set rule, but bail conditions apply right away and the first court date is listed on the summons or bail paper. Some people reach out before their first appearance so they understand the charge and the process. You can fill in the form on this page any time to request a consultation.
Yes. The Maine Criminal Defense Group has an office at 19 Commercial Street in Portland, and meetings at this location are by appointment only. People searching for the best criminal defense lawyer in Portland, Maine can call 207-571-8146 or use the form to ask questions and compare their options.
Our office is in the Old Port, close to the courthouse where Portland cases are heard. As a Portland, Maine criminal defense attorney team, we focus on criminal and OUI defense. Portland criminal lawyers on our team can talk through your case with you, and a criminal defense attorney in Portland, Maine can explain your options before you decide anything. Call 207-571-8146.
We are a boutique law firm, and we stand out by prioritizing our clients’ well-being. At The Maine Legal Group, our experienced team offers personalized attention in both criminal defense and divorce cases.
The Maine Criminal Defense Group adeptly handles all areas of criminal defense practice, including experienced and skilled legal representation for state and federal charges.
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