OUI laws in Orono, Maine are severe and you can expect no help from law enforcement if you are stopped on suspicion of drunk or impaired driving.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact us online to schedule a consult with one of our highly skilled criminal defense attorneys today.
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Orono is a college town in Penobscot County, with a reported population of 10,362 during the 2010 census. This number, however, fluctuates wildly between the summer months and when school is in session at the University of Maine, which hosts nearly 11,000 students on its main campus in the town.
As a college town, Orono’s residents are younger than the rest of Maine, with a median age of only 21.6 years, compared to the state’s median of 44 years. The influence and taste of the younger crowd is palpable: Independent restaurants and craft breweries, like the Black Bear Brewery and the Orono Brewing Company, have popped up in the area, contributing to a vibrant atmosphere downtown.
Like many college towns, though, Orono’s residents are not very affluent, at least, not yet. While Maine’s median household income in 2013 was $46,974, Orono’s was only $34,143. However, because the area is so full of young adults and recent graduates, this can be expected.
What is surprising, though, is the fact that Orono’s crime rates are very low. College towns usually have a higher crime rate than surrounding areas, but Orono’s has stayed well below the national average, with violent crimes nearly unheard of, and property crimes still uncommon.
This is despite the fact that Orono has a small police force, compared to the rest of the state, with only 1.22 officers per 1,000 residents. Maine’s state average is 1.69 officers per 1,000 residents.
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:
Orono 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 Orono 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 Orono 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. 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 attorneys today.
19 Commercial St
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 602-1675
Monday through Friday 9AM – 5PM
Contact one of our experienced OUI defense attorneys in Portland, Maine to help you avoid much of the aforementioned pain and headache that comes with getting arrested for drinking and driving.
Penobscot Judicial Center
78 Exchange Street
Bangor, ME 04401
Phone: (207) 561-2300
Monday through Friday 8AM – 4PM
If you get arrested for a crime, including for the crime of operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI), then your case will be heard by the court at the Penobscot County Judicial Center in downtown Bangor, Maine. Please see our page on the court in Bangor for more details, including directions, parking information, and what to expect when in court.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact us online to schedule a consult with one of our highly skilled criminal defense attorneys today.
Facing the potential repercussions of an OUI conviction, including jail time and fines, underscores the importance of having a knowledgeable attorney guide you through every phase of the investigation.
The Maine Criminal Defense Group specializes in offering advice on the intricate facets of the OUI court process in Maine, emphasizing the pivotal question of whether the prosecutor can establish your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Follow along as we navigate the OUI court process, unraveling each step to gain an understanding of how everything unfolds.
Contact our office to speak with
one of our team members who will set up a confidential consultation to discuss your case.
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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.
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