Anyone charged with operating under the influence (OUI) in Maine faces serious repercussions but, for underage OUIs, the consequences of a permanent criminal record can carry over into later life and impact your future.
If you are aged under 21 and charged with OUI, therefore, it is important to take the charge seriously and to take preventative measures to avoid the most serious consequences.
It can be intimidating to be treated as a criminal for an honest mistake behind the wheel, so it helps to understand more about the legal processes and what you can expect if charged with underage OUI in Maine…
Call 207-571-8146 or contact our Maine criminal defense attorneys directly online to schedule a confidential consultation.
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Maine’s “zero tolerance” OUI laws
Maine operates a “zero tolerance” policy toward youngsters who drive under the influence of alcohol (OUI). This is meant to deter drivers from drinking and driving.
Drivers under the age of 21 are not permitted to operate a vehicle with any measurable amount of alcohol in their blood.
If you are convicted under the zero-tolerance policy, the administrative license suspensions imposed for an underage OUI (explained in the next section) are bad enough. However. If you are arrested for a criminal underage OUI, you will face misdemeanor charges, which can have even more serious consequences for your future.
When does an underage driver face standard OUI penalties in Maine?
The penalties for an underage driver take a step up to misdemeanor criminal charges if he or she is stopped operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over .08%, which is the legal limit for most drivers over the age of 21 in Maine.
The same applies if caught operating a vehicle while under the influence of (impaired by) drugs or alcohol.
It is important if you are arrested for drunk driving that you do everything within your power to avoid a criminal conviction for OUI. That’s why your first move should be to consider hiring an OUI attorney from The Maine Criminal Defense Group.
A highly qualified OUI defense attorney gives you the best shot at avoiding an OUI conviction as well as an administrative suspension under Maine’s Zero Tolerance policy.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact our Maine criminal defense attorneys directly online to schedule a confidential consultation.
What underage OUI penalties apply in Maine?
For drivers under the age of 21 in Maine, according to the Bureau of Highway Safety:
“If you are found operating, or attempting to operate, a motor vehicle with any measurable amount of alcohol in your body, you will lose your license for one year. If you refuse a test, you will lose your license for at least 18 months. If you have a passenger under 21 years of age, an additional 180-day suspension will be imposed.”
These are the penalties for a first offense through the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles hearings division. For a second or subsequent offense of underage OUI, the driver will typically face a two-year license suspension.
Remember, drivers with a BAC over .08% face standard criminal OUI penalties, which can be even harsher. Depending on the circumstances, you may be looking at fines and even jail time in addition to a license suspension.
Additionally, note that all drivers in Maine, including underage drivers, are subject to the state’s implied consent laws. These require that under-age drivers submit to alcohol testing. The unlawful refusal of a test means an 18-month suspension for a first violation and a 30-month suspension for a second or subsequent offense.
Drivers who complete a substance abuse treatment program may be able to apply for early license reinstatement.
Underage OUI charges may stay on your permanent record
Most underage criminal charges are sealed after you turn 18, provided a specified period of time passes. However, an underage OUI can stay on your permanent record. This can affect your options when it comes to education, employment, housing, insurance, and many other aspects of your future.
If you hire a qualified OUI defense attorney, he or she can liaise and negotiate with prosecutors. This may help prevent a zero-tolerance conviction from appearing on your permanent record, especially if you agree to perform community service and/or drug or alcohol counseling, for instance.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact our Maine criminal defense attorneys directly online to schedule a confidential consultation.
You have rights when being arrested for underage drinking in Maine
If you are arrested by police for underage OUI in Maine, it doesn’t mean that you relinquish your constitutional rights. If these are violated, it can aid your defense.
For instance, if the police pull you over on a highway, “search and seizure” rules apply. The Fourth Amendment protections require that the police officer has information of a crime having been committed before acting.
If there is no “reasonable suspicion” of a crime (OUI), any evidence seized may be rendered inadmissible in court and your case could be dismissed.
These protections apply whether or not you are under the age of 21. You also have other rights that an OUI attorney will be fully aware of.
Additionally, OUI cases are notoriously technical, relying on the correct administration of tests and properly calibrated equipment. An experienced OUI attorney will apply his or her knowledge of this and use it to mitigate the consequences in your case or have the charges dropped.
Speak with your parents about your underage OUI
Underage OUI is not something you can ignore and hope will go away. If you leave it to run its course and take no action, you will be reminded of the consequences again and again in the future.
Your best chance of avoiding this is to face the charge, speak to your parents, and encourage them to help you do something about it.
If you are proactive and seek the assistance of an experienced OUI defense attorney, you have a good chance of being able to put the experience down to a one-off mistake and moving on with your life.
If you need assistance, contact the Maine Criminal Defense Group by calling 207-571-8146 and consult with one of our attorneys today.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact our Maine criminal defense attorneys directly online to schedule a confidential consultation.
