Main Office
Satellite Office
Consultations by Appointment Only

Strict Liability Crimes

In several of our recent blog posts, we covered what are called “mens rea” crimes – crimes that require you to have a certain state of mind in order for you to be convicted for them (“mens rea” is Latin for “guilty mind”). These articles explored what it meant to have the four culpable states of mind:

1. Intent

2. Knowledge

3. Recklessness

4. Criminal negligence

Most crimes are mens rea crimes – they require that you have one of these states of mind. However, there are some crimes that don’t require you to have a certain state of mind in order to be convicted. These crimes are called “strict liability” crimes. They don’t care what you were thinking, when you violated the law.

Strict liability crimes usually are lesser offenses than mens rea crimes, like parking tickets. For various reasons, it makes sense for some crimes not to require a culpable state of mind. Many strict liability violations happen so often that requiring a prosecutor to prove what was going on inside your mind in order to prove that you violated the law, and should have to pay a $15 ticket, might bring the government to a halt.

However, there are some strict liability crimes, like drunk driving, that carry surprisingly high penalties. A conviction for operating under the influence, or OUI, as it’s known in Maine, can lead to thousands of dollars in fines, serious restrictions on your ability to drive, and a strong possibility of real jail time.

Having a crime that has severe repercussions but no required state of mind is a huge issue. The lack of a mens rea requirement means that it’s much easier for the prosecutor to convict you for the crime – it eliminates not only an entire aspect of the case for them, but possibly the most difficult one for the prosecutor to prove. It also means that you can be convicted for nothing more than being in a certain physical state, like having a blood alcohol content of at or above 0.08%, regardless of whether you knew you were over the legal limit.

One of the biggest problems that this kind of law has is that it punishes even those who are unaware that what they’re doing is criminal. These people are often shocked, when they are charged for a strict liability crime, and feel justifiably cheated if they’re convicted.

While strict liability crimes are often necessary for very low-level offenses, once they start being used to displace mens rea crimes, or start to come with more serious punishments, they become a threat to our criminal justice system, which should focus on those who deliberately broke the law.

In the context of the strict liability OUI law, the lack of a mens rea requirement means that you need a defense attorney who knows how to show that you didn’t do the act, itself. William T. Bly is such an OUI-defense attorney. With years of experience in the southern Maine area and a track record of successes, call his law office at (207) 571-8146 or contact him online to start preparing your defense.

REQUEST A CONSULTATION

Contact our office to speak with
one of our team members who will set up a confidential consultation to discuss your case.

PRACTICE AREAS
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Great group of people. Managed to get me a favorable outcome from a very bad situation. I would highly recommend this firm if you have legal troubles. Top notch performance!!

Dave Allen

So thankful I chose this team to represent me. They’re the best, hands down. Nathan Hitchcock proved my innocence not once but TWICE, including a trial by jury. I have a family in law enforcement who told me “Bill Bly and his team are the best. If I would recommend anyone, it would be them.”

Brandon Albert

AVOID A CRIMINAL RECORD

CONFIDENTIAL CASE EVALUATIONS

OVER 115+ GOOGLE REVIEWS

OVER 165+ AVVO REVIEWS

Ready to Get Started? Get In Touch With Us 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.

Get to Know Our Group
Maine Legal Group

We are a boutique law firm, and we stand out by prioritizing our clients’ well-being. At The Maine Legal Group, our experienced team offers personalized attention in both criminal defense and divorce cases.

The Maine Criminal Defense Group

The Maine Criminal Defense Group adeptly handles all areas of criminal defense practice, including experienced and skilled legal representation for state and federal charges.

The Maine Divorce Group

The Maine Divorce Group empowers individuals skillfully navigating divorce with compassionate guidance, ensuring a brighter future through the challenges of the process.