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Criminal charges in Portland carry serious consequences. The Maine Criminal Defense Group’s defense attorneys know Maine’s courts, know the law, and know how to build a defense that gives you the best possible outcome.
Our Portland, Maine criminal defense attorneys defend clients against the full range of criminal charges, from misdemeanors to complex felonies, throughout Cumberland County and across the state. When your freedom, your record, and your future are on the line, the attorney you choose matters.
Led by founding attorney William T. Bly, The Maine Criminal Defense Group brings more than 80 years of combined legal experience to every case. Our team defends a wide range of charges, including:
Every case we take on gets a defense strategy built around its specific facts. Our goal is straightforward: to protect your rights, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and secure the best possible outcome so you can move forward with your life.
If you are facing criminal charges in Portland or anywhere in Maine, contact us today to discuss your case and understand your options.
10-DAY DEADLINE: After an OUI arrest in Portland, Maine, you have just 10 days to request a hearing and contest your automatic license suspension. Contact us right away to preserve your appeal rights.
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Maine classifies all criminal offenses into five categories: Class A, B, C, D, and E.
Class A is the most serious, carrying the steepest penalties, while Class E covers the least serious offenses with the lightest sentences. Classes A, B, and C are felony-level crimes punishable by state prison time, while Classes D and E are misdemeanor-level offenses typically punished by county jail time and fines.
Understanding which class your charge falls under matters, because the classification determines where your case is heard, what penalties you face, and how a conviction can affect your future.
Class A criminal offenses are the most serious crimes in Maine, punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. This class is reserved for offenses such as manslaughter, gross sexual assault, and aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs.
Maine law also allows a charge to be elevated by one class when a dangerous weapon is used to commit the crime. When a crime is already a Class A offense, the judge will factor the use of the weapon into the sentence.
A Class B crime is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000. Assaults that cause serious injury or are committed with a deadly weapon are common examples of Class B offenses.
A Class C crime is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 (Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 17-A §§ 1252, 1301). For example, theft of property worth more than $1,000 but less than $10,000 is a Class C crime in Maine.
A Class D offense is the highest level of misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000. Many Class D charges stem from domestic violence, assault, and most operating under the influence offenses.
You should never simply plead guilty to a Class D offense. Judges are known to impose the maximum penalty, and once a guilty plea is entered there is often little to no recourse available. If you are unsure how to proceed, speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately.
A Class E crime is the least serious criminal classification in Maine, carrying a maximum penalty of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. This class is used for offenses such as operating on a suspended license, disorderly conduct, and theft under $1,000. Like Class D crimes, Class E offenses are considered misdemeanors.
A statute of limitations is the legally defined time limit within which criminal charges must be filed after an alleged offense occurs. Once that time limit expires, the court will generally refuse to hear the case, and the opportunity to prosecute may be permanently lost.
The criminal statute of limitations in Portland, Maine depends on the severity and nature of the offense:
For sex crimes involving minors, the statute of limitations may be extended or paused until the victim reaches adulthood or discovers the abuse, which accounts for the delayed reporting common in trauma-related cases.
Statutes of limitations exist to keep the legal process fair. As time passes, evidence can be lost, witnesses may become unavailable, and memories fade, all of which make it harder for either side to receive a fair trial. These time limits protect both the accused and the accuser by encouraging claims to be pursued while evidence is still reliable.
In Maine, an OUI (Operating Under the Influence) charge means operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs, or with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. Even a first conviction carries harsh penalties, including license suspension, fines, and the possibility of jail time.
Police rely on breathalyzer results, field sobriety tests, and blood tests to build an OUI case, but each of these methods can be challenged. Identifying flaws in how that evidence was collected is often the most effective way to weaken the prosecution’s case and fight your charges.
IMPORTANT: You have only 10 days after an OUI arrest to request a BMV hearing and challenge your license suspension. Call us immediately so we can protect your right to appeal.
A conviction on any drug charge in Portland can leave you with a permanent criminal record that follows you long after the case is closed. The consequences can reach into nearly every part of your life, from serious jail time to lost employment and travel restrictions that bar entry to certain countries.
Common drug-related charges in Portland include possession, trafficking, cultivation, and prescription fraud involving illegal or controlled substances. With so much on the line, strong representation from an experienced criminal defense attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
Domestic violence charges are among the easiest accusations to make and among the hardest to recover from. Someone who is wrongfully accused can face lasting damage to their reputation, their relationships, and their career before the case is ever resolved. The good news is that domestic violence charges in Portland, Maine can be challenged, and a strong defense can protect both your record and your future.
Sex crimes are among the most serious offenses a person can be charged with in Maine, and the penalties vary by the specific offense.
Depending on the charge, a sex crime can range from a Class D or C offense to a Class A felony carrying decades in prison and substantial fines. Title 17-A, Chapter 11 of the Maine Criminal Code covers these offenses, which include but are not limited to:
A conviction for certain sex crimes in Maine requires the individual to register as a sex offender and report where they live, work, and attend school. Sex offender registration can affect nearly every aspect of your future, which is why anyone accused of a sex crime should do everything possible to avoid a conviction.
In Portland, Maine, sexual assault is a serious criminal charge covering a range of offenses, from unlawful sexual contact to gross sexual assault, which is commonly known as rape. These cases often involve allegations of non-consensual sexual activity, coercion, or sexual acts with someone legally unable to consent, such as a minor or an incapacitated person.
A conviction can bring severe consequences, including lengthy prison sentences, mandatory sex offender registration, and lasting harm to your personal and professional reputation. If you have been charged with sexual assault in Maine, an experienced criminal defense attorney is essential to protecting your rights and your future.
Child pornography offenses in Portland, Maine, prosecuted under the state’s laws governing the sexual exploitation of minors, are among the most aggressively pursued charges in both state and federal court. These cases can involve allegations of possessing, distributing, or producing sexually explicit material involving a minor, and they frequently carry mandatory minimum sentences.
A conviction can result in years of imprisonment, mandatory sex offender registration, and permanent damage to your reputation and livelihood. Because these charges are often built on digital evidence, the way that evidence was obtained and handled can be central to the defense. If you are under investigation or have been charged with a child pornography offense in Maine, it is critical to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Monday through Friday 9AM – 5PM
If you’ve been arrested or charged with a crime, contact our experienced Portland criminal defense attorneys right away to secure an aggressive defense team.
A skilled Portland criminal defense attorney can help you protect your rights and work to minimize the consequences of a criminal charge.
205 Newbury Street, Ground Floor,
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 822-4200
Monday through Friday 8AM – 4PM
If you’ve been charged with a criminal offense in Portland, Maine, your case will likely be heard at the Portland District Court, located at 205 Newbury Street, Portland, ME 04101.
For information on parking, courthouse procedures, and what to expect on your court date, please visit the Portland District Court dedicated page.
Some criminal cases in Portland are prosecuted not in state court but in federal court, which carries its own procedures, sentencing guidelines, and penalties. Federal charges can arise in cases involving drug trafficking, child exploitation, white collar offenses such as embezzlement and wire fraud, and firearms violations. Federal cases are investigated by agencies like the FBI, DEA, and ATF, and they often involve more resources and longer potential sentences than comparable state charges. If you are under federal investigation or have been charged with a federal crime, working with a defense attorney experienced in both state and federal court is essential.
Hiring a criminal defense lawyer in Portland gives you an advocate whose job is to protect your rights, challenge the evidence against you, and work toward the best possible outcome in your case. Maine’s criminal laws are complex, and how a case is handled in its early stages can shape everything that follows.
An experienced attorney does more than argue your case in court. They assess the strength of the prosecution’s evidence, identify constitutional violations or procedural errors, and build a defense strategy tailored to the specific facts of your situation. They also understand the local court system and know how to negotiate with prosecutors, which can open the door to reduced charges, a plea agreement, or a full dismissal.
The sooner you have skilled representation, the more options you have to defend yourself and protect your future.
Every criminal charge has a defense, and the right attorney knows how to build it. If you have been arrested in Portland, the team at The Maine Criminal Defense Group has the experience and knowledge of Maine’s criminal justice system to help you, regardless of the charges you are facing.
Whether you are facing a misdemeanor or a serious felony, do not wait to get legal help. The law is complex, the stakes are high, and having an experienced attorney on your side from the start can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your case.
Contact us online or call today to discuss your case.
Maine does not allow expungement of adult criminal records in most cases. The primary exception is for certain Class E crimes committed by individuals between the ages of 18 and 21 at the time of the offense. In limited circumstances, a person may be eligible to pursue a pardon through executive clemency, but the standard eligibility requirements are strict. Because Maine’s expungement options are so limited, avoiding a conviction in the first place is the most effective way to protect your record.
Yes. Criminal records in Maine are generally public information and can be accessed by employers, landlords, schools, government agencies, and other organizations that run background checks. This is one of the most significant long-term consequences of a conviction, and it is a key reason to fight the charges against you with experienced legal representation.
Maine does not formally use the terms “felony” and “misdemeanor” in its criminal code, but the distinction still applies in practice. Class A, B, and C crimes function as felonies and are punishable by state prison sentences of one year or more. Class D and E crimes function as misdemeanors and are punishable by up to 364 days in county jail. The class of your charge determines the potential penalties and shapes how your case will proceed.
You are not required to answer questions from law enforcement beyond providing basic identifying information, and it is generally in your interest to speak with a defense attorney before making any statement. Anything you say can be used against you, and even innocent explanations can be misinterpreted or taken out of context. Politely declining to answer questions until you have an attorney present is your right.
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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 offense in Maine, the defense 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.
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.
The Maine Divorce Group empowers individuals skillfully navigating divorce with compassionate guidance, ensuring a brighter future through the challenges of the process.
