Lewiston Sexual Assault Defense Attorneys You Can Trust
Facing sexual assault charges in Lewiston, Maine is a serious and life-changing legal matter. A conviction can lead to lengthy prison time, mandatory sex offender registration, and long-term damage to your personal reputation, employment, and future opportunities. Even the allegation alone can carry lasting consequences.
Maine law treats sexual assault broadly, including offenses ranging from unlawful sexual contact to felony-level charges such as gross sexual assault. These cases often involve complex facts, conflicting statements, and legal questions surrounding consent. That’s why working with an experienced criminal defense attorney is essential from the outset.
At The Maine Criminal Defense Group, our Lewiston sexual assault defense attorneys are committed to protecting your rights, scrutinizing the evidence, and challenging any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. We build strategic, trial-tested defenses to help reduce or dismiss charges whenever possible.
If you’ve been accused of sexual assault in Lewiston or the surrounding area, contact our legal team today to discuss your case and take the first step toward protecting your freedom and your future.
Key Takeaways:
- Sexual assault charges can include a range of offenses, from unwanted touching to rape.
- Convictions can result in decades of imprisonment, hefty fines, and lifetime registration on the sex offender list.
- Our Lewiston sexual assault defense lawyers are here to help you navigate the legal system and fight to reduce or dismiss your charges.
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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What You Need to Know About Sexual Assault in Maine
Sexual assault charges in Maine are serious matters. They cover a broad range of non-consensual sexual activities, including physical force, threats, and coercion. Depending on the details of the case, charges can vary from misdemeanors, such as inappropriate touching, to more serious felonies, like rape.
Penalties for Sexual Assault in Maine
In Maine, sexual assault can be charged as a class A felony, which carries severe consequences, such as:
- Up to $50,000 in fines
- Up to 30 years in prison
- Lifetime registration as a sex offender
Being labeled a sex offender can severely impact your life, limiting your ability to find work, housing, and even attend school. You could also face public humiliation and damage to your reputation since the details of your case are accessible through sex offender registries. Furthermore, if the charges involve a minor, penalties may be even harsher, especially if there is a significant age gap between you and the alleged victim.
What is Considered Gross Sexual Assault in Maine? (Video)
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.
Sex crimes categorized as sexual assault in Maine
Maine law defines sexual assault as a broad category of offenses, ranging from serious felonies like rape and child molestation to lesser offenses such as unlawful sexual contact or indecent exposure. While the severity of each charge varies, all sexual assault accusations carry serious legal and personal consequences.
Common Sex Crimes That Fall Under Sexual Assault in Maine
Sexual assault charges in Lewiston, Maine can include:
- Gross Sexual Assault (Rape) – Engaging in a sexual act with another person without their consent, often involving force, threats, or incapacitation.
- Sexual Abuse of a Minor – Any sexual activity with someone under the age of consent (16 in Maine).
- Unlawful Sexual Contact – Any form of unwanted sexual touching without penetration, particularly when the victim is incapacitated, underage, or unable to consent.
- Sexual Exploitation of a Minor – Possessing, producing, or distributing child pornography or involving a minor in sexually explicit conduct.
- Child Enticement – Using the internet or other means to solicit a minor for sexual activity.
- Indecent Exposure – Exposing one’s genitals in a public setting or in a way intended to cause alarm or offend others.
- Sexual Harassment and Stalking – Repeated unwanted sexual advances, messages, or threats that create a hostile environment or place someone in fear for their safety.
Varying Degrees of Charges and Penalties
Each sexual assault offense in Maine is classified based on the circumstances of the case, including whether force, coercion, or incapacity was involved. These charges can range from Class D misdemeanors (which may result in fines and short jail sentences) to Class A felonies, carrying decades of prison time and mandatory sex offender registration.
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.
How Our Lewiston Sexual Assault Defense Lawyers Can Defend You
If you’ve been accused of sexual assault, it’s crucial to have a strong defense team on your side. Our skilled Lewiston sexual assault defense lawyers at The Maine Criminal Defense Group will work with you to build a personalized defense strategy tailored to your unique situation.
Some common defense strategies we may use include:
- Mistaken Identity: In some cases, sexual assault accusations are based on mistaken identity, in which case we can potentially present evidence showing that you were not the perpetrator.
- Consensual Sexual Activity: If your case involves a minor, we may argue that the situation fell under Maine’s Romeo and Juliet laws, which provide exceptions for consensual relationships with individuals close in age.
- Lack of Consent: If the accusations are based on misunderstandings or miscommunications, we can attempt to demonstrate that consent was present or that there was a lack of evidence for the allegations.
- Intoxication Defense: If you were too intoxicated to commit the alleged offense, we may argue that you were unable to form the necessary intent to engage in criminal behavior.
Every case is unique, and our team will examine all the facts to develop a defense that best suits your circumstances
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.
Can you be convicted of sexual assault if both parties were Intoxicated?
Yes, in Maine, being intoxicated does not automatically exempt someone from being convicted of sexual assault. In fact, alcohol and drug use often complicate sexual assault cases, making it harder to determine consent and increasing the legal risks for the accused. If you have been charged with sexual assault in Lewiston, Maine, it is critical to understand how intoxication affects the case and what legal defenses may be available.
How Intoxication Affects Sexual Assault Charges in Maine
Under Maine law, a person cannot legally consent to sexual activity if they are incapacitated due to alcohol, drugs, or another intoxicating substance. If the alleged victim was too impaired to give informed and voluntary consent, the prosecution may argue that the sexual act was non-consensual, even if both parties were drinking or using drugs.
On the other hand, intoxication is rarely a successful defense for the accused. A defendant cannot argue that they were too drunk to understand their actions unless they can prove they were so intoxicated that committing the crime would have been physically or mentally impossible—a very high legal threshold.
When Intoxication Might Be a Defense
There are very few circumstances in which intoxication may be a viable defense in a sexual assault case. Some possible arguments include:
- Involuntary Intoxication – If the defendant was unknowingly drugged or forced to consume an intoxicating substance, this may serve as a defense.
- Lack of Intent (Extreme Intoxication Cases) – In rare cases, if a defendant was so intoxicated that they were completely unaware of their actions, they may argue that they lacked the intent required for the crime. However, this defense is difficult to prove and rarely succeeds in sexual assault cases.
- Mutual Incapacitation (Complex Cases) – If both parties were equally incapacitated and neither had the ability to consent, the prosecution may struggle to establish clear culpability. However, this is a complex legal issue that requires careful case analysis by an experienced sexual assault defense attorney.
Can I represent myself for a sexual offense charge in Maine? (Video)
The Maine Criminal Defense Group Can Help You Fight Sexual Assault Charges
A sexual assault accusation can have life-altering consequences, but with the right legal team, you can fight to protect your future. The Maine Criminal Defense Group brings over 85 years of combined experience in defending clients against serious charges. Contact us today to request a consultation, and allow us to put our experience to work for you and start crafting a defense tailored to your case.
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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