;
Call Now To Get Your Life Back
207-571-8146
Menu
Search
We Fight To Have Your Charges Dismissed

Farmington Maine Criminal Attorneys

check

AVOID A
CRIMINAL RECORD

check

OUR RATES INCLUDE
TRIAL FEES*

check

OVER 115+
GOOGLE REVIEWS

check

OVER 165+
AVVO REVIEWS

Criminal Defense Lawyers in Farmington, Maine

Farmington Maine Criminal Defense Lawyers

The most common criminal offenses in Farmington are property crimes. Property crimes include theft, burglary, robbery and auto thefts. The crime index in 2010 was 1,313 when the national average was 1,610. Crime in Farmington has been on a downward trend recently, and it is predicted to continue to decrease in 2013. In 2010, the violent crime rate was lower than the national average by a large percent – 67.41%. The property theft crime rate, however, was 0.16% higher.

One area that Farmington police pay especially close attention to is traffic violations. They believe that the key to catching criminals or all types lies in traffic enforcement. Research has suggested that criminals are less likely to act in an area where there is heavy traffic patrol. The idea being that police who make routine stops will be able to discover the other criminal doings during the process.

Another reason for this focus is due to the large college population that moves into the city during the school year. In 2010, the police department answered almost 10,000 calls for service. 429 of those calls were for assistance after an auto accident. Many students attending the University of Maine at Farmington are inexperienced drivers. Police make a special effort to educate students and parents about the dangers of underage drinking, drinking and driving and drinking too much. OUI, underage drinking, and disorderly conduct are common offenses in every city but are even more so in a college area.

Criminal Classifications in Farmington, Maine

In Farmington, 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 Farmington, 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 Farmington, 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 Farmington, 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.

Why Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Farmington?

When you are accused of a crime, you are innocent until proven guilty. This gives you the advantage because you do not have to prove that you are completely innocent, only that there is reasonable doubt that you committed the crime. Even if there is strong evidence against you, an attorney can help you. We work to build strong defenses by challenging the evidence the prosecution has against you. If we can successfully question the validity of even one piece of evidence, the prosecution’s case weakens.

Contact Our Farmington Criminal Defense Lawyers

If you have been arrested for a crime in Farmington, call our firm now. We have the know-how and the skills necessary to win your case. Attorney William Bly, at The Maine Criminal Defense Group, has dedicated his legal career to defending people just like you all over Maine. He is a top rated attorney who cares about his clients and getting great results for them. Let him put his knowledge and experience to work for you.

Blog Posts

What If You Have Been Accused of a Crime in Maine?
Criminal Defense Criminal Record

What If You Have Been Accused of a Crime in Maine?

Every day in Maine, people are charged with crimes that they did and did not do. Fortunately, in the U.S.,...
Read More
Can You Get Your Criminal Record Expunged in Maine?
Criminal Defense Criminal Record Search and Seizure

Can You Get Your Criminal Record Expunged in Maine?

Expungement is the practice of legally erasing or striking out documents or information relevant to criminal charges. It’s not possible...
Read More
{"slide_show":"2","slide_scroll":1,"dots":"false","arrows":"true","autoplay":"false","autoplay_interval":3000,"speed":600,"loop":"true","design":"design-2"}



Ready to get your life back? Call now!

Ready to Get Started? Contact Our Firm Today!

If you are facing criminal charges 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

Call Now Button