Criminal Charges and Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer: Five Ways to Avoid Both

Summer is upon us, many will shed clothing, meet friends for drinks and enjoy the warm weather that almost makes it feel like Northern New England has a climate suitable to human habitation. Many will remember those warm nights fondly, others will remember them by the criminal charges filed in the local court. Sometimes, it is just luck that separates the two groups. Still, a little bit of knowledge about the criminal law and about your rights can go a long way towards making sure that you end up sleeping in your own bed and not at the County Jail.

Operating Under the Influence or OUI charges: What can a Lawyer do?

The "Walk & Turn" is one of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests

In order to convict someone of a crime, the prosecution must prove every element of the charge beyond all reasonable doubt. In Maine, a person is guilty of Operating Under the Influence if they operate a motor vehicle at a time when they are impaired by intoxicants, or when their alcohol level is .08 or higher. Proving a criminal case is a lot of work and the prosecution would really like it if you made their job easier by pleading guilty at your first court appearance. Understand that you are not obligated to do this and that by pleading guilty, you are giving up your right to investigate and contest all aspects of your case. Here is a brief explanation or some of the basic issues that might arise in an OUI case: