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

Maine Drug Crime Attorneys

check

AVOID A
CRIMINAL RECORD

check

OUR RATES INCLUDE
TRIAL FEES*

check

OVER 115+
GOOGLE REVIEWS

check

OVER 165+
AVVO REVIEWS

Drug Crime Defense Lawyers in Maine

Maine Drug Crime Lawyers

Maine is considered to be one of the safest states in the country, and this can be credited to the many proactive law enforcement agencies throughout the state.

Maine police officers continually target suspected drug circles and rely on community relations to arrest suspects and reduce crime.

The Maine Revised Statute Title 17-A, Chapter 45 addresses the types of drug crimes that can be committed within the state and the penalties involved with each crime.

Table of Contents show

Drug Schedules in Maine

The State of Maine recognizes 4 schedules of drugs. Crimes involving drugs from different levels will result in different classes of penalties. The schedules are W, X, Y and Z, and they include the following controlled substances:

  • Schedule W

    This includes many of the most well-known drugs. These drugs are also some of the most addictive and, therefore, most dangerous. Drugs include amphetamines, cocaine, oxycodone, heroin, methadone, hallucinogenics like MDMA and more.

  • Schedule X

    Drugs like chlorhexadol, nalorphine, hashish, and more are in this schedule. The names may not be recognizable, but most drugs that are depressants or hallucinogens not listed in schedule W are included here.

  • Schedule Y

    This schedule includes drugs like codeine, flurazepam which are used in many prescription drugs.

  • Schedule Z

    All prescription drugs other than those included in schedules W, X or Y are included in this schedule, as well as marijuana.

Watch our video explaining what programs and options there are available when being charged with a drug-related crime.

Common Drug Crimes in Maine

  • Drug Possession

    Under Maine Revised Statute Title §1107-A, a person will be found guilty of unlawful possession of a scheduled drug if the person intentionally or knowingly possesses what that person believes or knows to be a scheduled drug. These charges are categorized based on the type and amount of drug found, and penalties range from a Class B crime to a Class C crime.

  • Trafficking

    Drug trafficking Charges generally refer to the sale or distribution of illegal drugs and may result in federal charges for manufacturing, transporting, exporting, distributing or dispensing controlled substances.

    Maine Revised Statute Title §1105-A outlines the specific circumstances that may result in aggravated trafficking charges that will result in Class A penalties.

    This drug crime is a crime of intent, which means that the State must prove that you intentionally or knowingly sold drugs in order to convict you.

  • Cultivation of Drugs

    Certain plants, such as cannabis and opium, are capable of producing illegal drugs when they are cultivated correctly. Maine’s drug cultivation laws make it a crime to grow, produce or possess these certain plants and other naturally occurring elements that are used in the production of illegal controlled substances.

    Penalties may include fines up to $2,000 and a maximum of one year in jail. To learn more about drug possession penalties, review our FAQ.

  • Marijuana

    On November 3, 2009, voters in Maine approved Question 5, which enacted the citizen-initiated bill to establish the Maine Medical Marijuana Act.

    Maine was the fifth state to provide dispensaries of medical-grade marijuana for medical patients who qualify, but criminal charges will still result for those who have not received approval to use marijuana.

  • Prescription Fraud

    There are many actions that can be classified as prescription fraud in Maine, and you may be facing these charges for altering a legitimate prescription to obtain a larger quantity or for stealing a prescription pad.

    Any act of deception that leads to the obtaining of prescription drugs can be classified as prescription fraud under Maine Revised Statute Title §1108.

Penalties for Drug Crimes in Maine

Drug crimes are classified in every class of crimes in Maine.

  • Class A crimes are the most serious and can lead to a 30-year jail sentence and $50,000 in fines.
  • Class B crimes are also felony offenses and can lead to 10 years in jail and $20,000 in fines.
  • A Class C conviction has a maximum sentence of 5 years in jail and/or $5,000 in fines,
  • Class D convictions can lead to one year in jail and $2,000 in fines.

The lightest offenses will result in Class E charges, which still can result in 6 months of jail time and $1,000 in fines.

What is the typical sentence for drug possession, trafficking or distribution in Maine?

Challenging Your Drug Charges

Regardless of the circumstances that have led to your arrest for a drug crime, you have the right to be treated fairly and with respect by the police.

You must always keep in mind that anything you say can be used against you in court, and you should not be intimidated into answering questions.

You are always entitled to see a copy of any search warrant that an officer claims to have, and keep in mind that police can use reasonable force to gain entry into your premises.

Contact a Drug Crime Defense Lawyer Today

The experienced drug crime defense attorneys at The Maine Criminal Defense Group know the best ways to defend drug charges, as we are very aware each drug-related case is unique and fact-specific. We know the right questions to ask and are aware of how the law works to provide you with a tenacious and capable legal defense.

In most drug cases, the most incriminating evidence against you is the drugs themselves, so simply arguing that you were not in possession of drugs is not going to be a strong defense.

If the police made a mistake when searching you or your property and the means that were used to obtain the evidence (i.e. the drugs) were unconstitutional, then the drugs will not be admissible into evidence. If there is no evidence, there is no case against you.

If you are facing any drug charges, call us at (207) 571-8146 or contact us directly online for aggressive legal representation.

Blog Posts

An Overview of Drug Crimes in Maine
Drug Crimes

An Overview of Drug Crimes in Maine

In this post, we will survey Maine’s laws on the possession and trafficking of “scheduled drugs,” and then discuss the...
Read More
An Overview of Drug Trafficking Offenses in Maine
Drug Crimes Drug Possession Drug Trafficking

An Overview of Drug Trafficking Offenses in Maine

When people hear the term “drug trafficking,” they tend to think of organized crime. Many Hollywood films feature stories of...
Read More
The Lack of Science Behind Marijuana Laws
Drug Crimes

The Lack of Science Behind Marijuana Laws

One of the most polarized and confusing aspects of the American criminal justice system today has to do with marijuana....
Read More
Department of Justice to Strictly Enforce Federal Drug Law
Drug Crimes

Department of Justice to Strictly Enforce Federal Drug Law

While policy decisions from the White House have been vague or difficult to follow, the new statement on the enforcement...
Read More
Senator Sessions Vague on Federal Marijuana Enforcement
Drug Crimes

Senator Sessions Vague on Federal Marijuana Enforcement

Out of all of the cabinet appointments that president-elect Donald Trump has made, none is more important to the freedom...
Read More
What to do if I’m Charged with a Drug Crime?
Drug Crimes

What to do if I’m Charged with a Drug Crime?

If you have been charged with a crime of possession of drugs, there may be programs available to you to...
Read More
Obama Commutes Record Number of Federal Drug Sentences
Drug Crimes

Obama Commutes Record Number of Federal Drug Sentences

During his time in office, President Obama has taken an increased interest in the plight of America's criminal justice system....
Read More
Engineers Build Device that Might Change Drugged Driving Investigations
Drug Crimes

Engineers Build Device that Might Change Drugged Driving Investigations

Even though operating under the influence (OUI) is often thought of as another way of saying “drunk driving,” in reality...
Read More
The Numerous Ways of Committing Prescription Drug Fraud
Drug Crimes

The Numerous Ways of Committing Prescription Drug Fraud

Prescription drug abuse has been on the rise in America for years, now. While there are some drugs that are...
Read More
Maine’s Medical Marijuana Laws – A Quick Overview
Drug Crimes

Maine’s Medical Marijuana Laws – A Quick Overview

Across the country, the medical use of marijuana has become more and more accepted in the community, and Maine is...
Read More
Primary Caregivers Under Maine’s Medical Marijuana Law
Drug Crimes

Primary Caregivers Under Maine’s Medical Marijuana Law

Lately, in this blog, we've been covering the Maine Medical Marijuana Act (MMMA). This piece of legislation is relatively new,...
Read More
Proposed Law Would Focus Drug Enforcement Back on Dealers, Not Users
Drug Crimes

Proposed Law Would Focus Drug Enforcement Back on Dealers, Not Users

In a recent blog post, we detailed the wide net of drug trafficking, studying all of the different activities that...
Read More
Drug Trafficker is Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison
Drug Crimes Drug Trafficking

Drug Trafficker is Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison

Andrew Hunter of New Hampshire, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for trafficking in cocaine and heroin throughout...
Read More
Drug Classifications in Maine
Classification of Drugs Drug Crimes

Drug Classifications in Maine

Updated April 20th, 2023 When most people think of “drug crimes,” they automatically assume the worst types of drugs. Heroin....
Read More
How Pot Legalization in Colorado May Affect Maine
Drug Crimes

How Pot Legalization in Colorado May Affect Maine

Marijuana sale in Colorado became legal on January 1, 2014. In response to this, several media outlets report that there...
Read More
Some in Maine Fear New Prescription Drug Will Bring New Abuse Problems
Drug Crimes

Some in Maine Fear New Prescription Drug Will Bring New Abuse Problems

Prescription drug abuse is a big problem in Maine. A 2008 report said that Maine was on the top of...
Read More
Heroin Use in Maine a Growing Problem Among Young People
Drug Crimes

Heroin Use in Maine a Growing Problem Among Young People

The Portland Press Herald is reporting a growing trend in Maine – heroin use. A recent article explains how heroin...
Read More
Newborns Affected by Prescription Drug Abuse is an “Epidemic” in Maine
Drug Crimes

Newborns Affected by Prescription Drug Abuse is an “Epidemic” in Maine

In his latest attempt to draw attention and support to the prescription drug abuse problem in Maine, Governor Paul LePage...
Read More
Portland Passes Law to Decriminalize Marijuana
Drug Crimes

Portland Passes Law to Decriminalize Marijuana

One Tuesday, citizens in Portland voted in favor of decriminalizing the possession of small quantities of marijuana for personal use....
Read More
Police Cite Drug Abuse as the Cause of Much Violent Crime in Maine
Drug Crimes

Police Cite Drug Abuse as the Cause of Much Violent Crime in Maine

According to data provided by the Maine Department of Safety, violent crime in Maine has decreased from 2011 to 2012...
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