Experienced Sex Crime Defense Attorneys Serving Lewiston, Maine
When you are accused of a sex crime in Maine, skilled legal defense is of paramount importance for defending your rights.
Key Takeaways:
- There are a variety of types of sex crimes, including gross sexual assault, child molestation, and possession of child pornography.
- Penalties may include lengthy prison sentences, lifetime registration as a sex offender, and a permanent criminal record.
- Our Lewiston sex crime defense lawyers are committed to protecting your rights and helping you move forward with your life.
When you’re facing sex crime allegations in Lewiston, the consequences can feel immediate and devastating. Your job, relationships, and reputation may hang in the balance—even before your case makes it to court. With so much at stake, it’s vital to have a defense team that understands how to respond swiftly, build a strategy, and stand firmly in your corner.
At The Maine Criminal Defense Group, our Lewiston sex crime defense lawyers work with individuals accused of serious sexual offenses. We understand how overwhelming these cases can be, and we’re here to help you fight back. From day one, we prioritize protecting your rights, uncovering the facts, and doing everything possible to help you get your life back on track.
Request a consultation today to learn more about your legal options.
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.
Table of Contents
Should I Represent Myself for a Sex Crime Charge in Maine? (Video)
Understanding Sex Crime Charges in Maine
Sex crime charges cover a wide range of alleged behaviors under Maine law. Whether the charge involves physical contact, digital activity, or alleged communication, these offenses are taken seriously by prosecutors. Our Lewiston sex crime defense lawyers have experience handling cases involving:
- Gross Sexual Assault: Often includes sexual acts performed through force, coercion, or with a person incapable of consent.
- Statutory Rape: Involves sexual contact with someone below Maine’s age of consent, regardless of the minor’s willingness or appearance of consent.
- Sexual Contact with a Minor: Includes molestation or any inappropriate touching or exposure involving a child.
- Possession or Distribution of Child Pornography (CSAM): Even downloading or forwarding an image can lead to serious charges and mandatory minimum sentences.
- Indecent Exposure or Public Lewdness: Exposing oneself in a sexual manner to another person without consent.
- Unlawful Sexual Contact or Touching: Any unwanted sexual contact, even if it falls short of penetration, can lead to a charge.
Some of these offenses are charged as felonies, which carry harsher penalties, including long prison sentences, steep fines, and registration as a sex offender. Others may be misdemeanors but still result in permanent damage to your record and future.
Are Sex Crime Misdemeanors or Felonies in Maine? (Video)
If convicted of these sexual offenses, serious penalties are likely to ensue. Depending on the type of sex crime, penalties may vary, but one may expect to face jail time and required registration in a sex offender database.
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.
What Are the Penalties for a Sex Crime Conviction in Augusta, Maine?
If you’re convicted of a sex crime in Augusta, the penalties can be life-changing. In Maine, sentencing depends on the nature of the offense, age of the alleged victim, and whether factors like force, coercion, intoxication, or lack of consent were involved. Charges can range from misdemeanors to serious felonies—and the consequences reflect that range.
Common Penalties for Sex Crime Convictions in Maine:
- Class E misdemeanors (e.g., indecent exposure): Up to 6 months in jail, fines, probation, and counseling
- Class A felonies (e.g., gross sexual assault): Up to 30 years in prison and fines up to $50,000
- Mandatory sex offender registration, often lasting 10 years or for life
- Restrictions on housing, employment, travel, and community involvement
- Probation conditions, including no-contact orders, GPS monitoring, or mandatory therapy
More severe penalties may apply if the alleged victim was a minor, impaired, unconscious, or unable to consent. Any aggravating factors—such as the use of drugs, alcohol, or threats—can significantly increase sentencing exposure.
With so much at stake, it’s critical to have a relentless sex crimes defense attorney in Augusta fighting for your rights. At The Maine Criminal Defense Group, we understand the local courts, the prosecutors, and how to navigate the complex sentencing guidelines that apply to these charges.
The Hidden Consequences of a Conviction
A conviction doesn’t just impact your criminal record, it also impacts every corner of your life. You could lose custody rights, employment opportunities, and housing options. Even if you avoid jail time, the requirement to register as a sex offender can follow you for years or the rest of your life.
In many cases, people accused of these crimes feel isolated, ashamed, and unsure of where to turn. But you do have options–and our legal team will take your side without judgment.
What is the Age of Consent in Maine?
The legal age of consent in Maine is 16 years old, but certain regulations can change the circumstances of what could be considered a statutory rape offense.
According to the Romeo and Juliet Law, if both parties are over 14 years old and the age difference between them is not greater than 5 years, it will not be considered a sex crime under the law.
If a person has not yet reached the age of consent and engages in a sexual act with someone more than 5 years older, however, this is considered a sexual offense.
Similarly, if a person is not yet 14 years old and engages in a sexual act with anyone who has reached the legal age of consent, that person can be charged with statutory rape-which falls under the category of “gross sexual assault.” The laws surrounding juvenile sex crimes are not always straight forward.
How much Jail Time for Gross Sexual Assault in Maine?
Why You Need Our Lewiston Sex Crime Defense Lawyers
The Maine Criminal Defense Group is built on the belief that everyone deserves a rigorous defense, especially when the stakes are high. Our Lewiston sex crime defense lawyers bring over 85 years of combined experience to every case. We’ve defended clients at trial and negotiated favorable outcomes outside the courtroom.
We’re not here to judge your past—we’re here to protect your future. When we take on your case, we look at the full picture: the evidence, your personal circumstances, and all available defense strategies. Whether that means challenging the legality of a search, uncovering false accusations, or negotiating for reduced charges, we tailor our approach to the facts and your goals.
We also pride ourselves on client service. We’re responsive, transparent, and available when you need us most. And because we invest in modern tools and technology, we keep the legal process as smooth and accessible as possible.
Contact our Lewiston Sex Crime Defense Attorneys for Help
If you’re under investigation or have already been arrested, time is critical. Early legal intervention can mean the difference between a dropped charge and a life-altering conviction. Our team is ready to get to work right away by gathering facts, preserving your rights, and crafting a defense that fits your case. Request a consultation with our lawyers today, and let’s take the first step toward getting your life back on track.
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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