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OUI laws in Eliot, Maine are severe, and you can expect no help from law enforcement if you are stopped on suspicion of drunk or impaired driving.
If you’ve been charged with Operating Under the Influence (OUI) in Eliot, Maine, it’s critical to act quickly. A conviction can lead to jail time, hefty fines, a suspended license, and a permanent criminal record. The impact on your personal and professional life can be long-lasting—even for first-time offenders.
At The Maine Criminal Defense Group, our experienced OUI lawyers in Eliot focus exclusively on criminal defense and bring decades of combined experience to every case. We understand the local court system, know how prosecutors approach OUI cases, and build strong, strategic defenses designed to challenge the evidence against you—from field sobriety tests to breathalyzer results.
Whether you’re facing DUI charges after a roadside stop or have prior OUI convictions, our team is committed to protecting your rights, your record, and your future.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact us online to schedule a consult with one of our highly skilled criminal defense & OUI lawyers, serving Southern Maine, today.
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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 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:
Eliot 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 Eliot 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.
Read More → Refusing a Breathalyzer or Chemical Test when Pulled Over for an OUI in Maine
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:
Read More → Underage OUI Charges in Maine
You are breaking the law if you refuse a breath, blood or urine test if you are suspected of OUI in Eliot 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. A breath test 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 criminal defense & OUI lawyers, serving Southern Maine, today.
119 Main St
Kennebunk, ME 04043
Phone: (207) 571-8146
Monday through Friday 9AM – 5PM
Contact one of our experienced OUI defense attorneys for Eliot, Maine to help you avoid much of the aforementioned pain and headache that comes with getting arrested for drinking and driving.
515 Elm Street
Biddeford, ME 04005
Phone: (207) 283-6000
Monday through Friday 8AM – 4PM
If you get arrested and charged with a crime, such as operating under the influence (OUI), in Eliot, then your case will be heard in the Biddeford District Court. Please see our page on this court for more details, such as unique aspects of the building and court procedures, as well as parking.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact us online to schedule a consult with one of our highly skilled criminal defense & OUI lawyers, serving Southern Maine, today.
Being arrested for Operating Under the Influence (OUI) in Eliot doesn’t mean you’ll be convicted. An experienced OUI lawyer can evaluate the details of your case and identify legal strategies to challenge the traffic stop, breathalyzer results, or field sobriety tests. Weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence may lead to reduced charges—or even a full dismissal.
With the right defense, you can protect your rights and fight back against an OUI conviction in Eliot, Maine.
One of the most critical elements of an OUI case is the evidence from field sobriety tests, breath tests, or blood tests. However, these tests are not always accurate or reliable.
We will investigate:
If we uncover flaws in the testing process, we can weaken the prosecution’s case and potentially get the charges reduced or dismissed.
Even if your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) was recorded above the legal limit, it does not always mean you were impaired. Common defenses include:
Police officers must follow strict guidelines when conducting OUI stops and arrests. If they violate your rights or fail to adhere to protocol, your charges could be dismissed. Your defense lawyer will examine:
Maine’s implied consent law requires drivers to submit to a chemical test when lawfully arrested for OUI. However, if officers failed to properly inform you of your rights and the consequences of refusal, your license suspension or charges could be contested.
If you have been charged with Operating Under the Influence (OUI) in Eliot, Maine, you may feel overwhelmed by the legal process ahead. The consequences of an OUI conviction—jail time, hefty fines, and a suspended driver’s license—can be severe. However, being charged does not mean you are automatically guilty. The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were impaired or over the legal limit, and an experienced Eliot OUI defense lawyer can challenge their case at every stage.
At The Maine Criminal Defense Group, we guide clients through the OUI court process in Eliot, ensuring they understand their legal options and building the strongest possible defense.
The first step in the OUI legal process is arraignment, which typically occurs within a few weeks of your arrest. During this court appearance:
Pleading not guilty allows your defense lawyer to challenge the evidence and negotiate for a potential dismissal or reduced charge.
Approximately six weeks after the arraignment, a dispositional conference is held. This meeting includes:
A strong defense strategy can increase the chances of securing a favorable plea deal or even a dismissal before trial.
Following the dispositional conference, your defense lawyer may file motions to suppress evidence or request additional discovery. This process includes:
Motion hearings usually occur around two weeks after the dispositional conference and can significantly impact the strength of the prosecution’s case.
If key evidence is thrown out, the prosecution’s case may become weak or unprosecutable, leading to a potential dismissal.
If your case is not resolved through negotiations or a plea deal, it moves to trial. Before the trial begins:
A fair and unbiased jury is critical to ensuring you receive a just trial.
If your case reaches trial, expect:
Most OUI trials in Eliot last one to two days, but pre-trial motions may still be filed beforehand to decide which evidence can be presented in court.
A well-prepared defense can create reasonable doubt, increasing the likelihood of an acquittal or reduced sentence.
In Maine, you can not get an OUI expunged.
An OUI conviction in Maine creates a permanent record on both your driving and criminal history, and the impact extends far beyond this lasting mark.
The only possible way to address an OUI conviction on your record is by seeking executive clemency from the Governor. However, this option is exceedingly rare for OUI offenses and involves a rigorous, time-consuming application process. Even if clemency is granted, it does not fully expunge the conviction. The offense may still appear on certain background checks.
Facing an OUI charge in Eliot comes with a range of legal consequences that can affect many aspects of your life, and it’s crucial to understand these regulations to protect your rights and avoid losing your driving privileges.
Contact our office to speak with
one of our team members who will set up a confidential consultation to discuss your case.
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 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.
"Bill Bly did an excellent job of listening and addressing our concerns. He answered all of our questions in a timely manner and got results. I highly recommend his services!"
— John H.
In-office consultations are done by appointment only. Contact us today to schedule yours.
Attorney Advertising. This information is designed for general information only. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Past results and testimonials are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your case, and should not be construed as such. Past results cannot guarantee future performance. Any result in a single case is not meant to create an expectation of similar results in future matters because each case involves many different factors; therefore, results will differ on a case-by-case basis. By providing certain contact information herein, you are expressly authorizing the recipient of this message to contact you via the methods of communication provided.
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