OUI laws in Bangor, Maine are severe, and you can expect no help from law enforcement if you are stopped on suspicion of drunk or impaired driving.
If you’ve been charged with Operating Under the Influence (OUI) in Bangor, Maine, the stakes are high. A conviction can result in steep fines, license suspension, increased insurance rates, and even jail time. Maine law enforcement aggressively prosecutes OUI offenses, and without a strong legal defense, you risk severe and lasting consequences.
At The Maine Criminal Defense Group, we understand the complexities of Maine’s OUI laws and the unique challenges of the Bangor court system. Our experienced Bangor OUI defense lawyers are dedicated to protecting your rights, scrutinizing the prosecution’s evidence, and building a strategic defense tailored to your case. Whether challenging breathalyzer results, field sobriety tests, or police procedures, we fight to reduce or dismiss your charges whenever possible.
If you are facing an OUI charge in Bangor, ME, you need aggressive and experienced legal representation on your side. Contact The Maine Criminal Defense Group today for a confidential consultation and take the first step in defending your future.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact us online to schedule a consult with one of our highly skilled criminal defense & OUI lawyers, serving Southern Maine, today.
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 |
Being charged with Operating Under the Influence (OUI) in Bangor, Maine is a serious offense, even for a first-time offender. A conviction can result in harsh penalties that affect your freedom, finances, and future opportunities. Maine enforces strict OUI/DUI laws, and even a first offense can lead to significant legal and personal consequences.
If you have no prior OUI, DUI, or DWI convictions in Bangor, Maine or any other state, a first-time OUIÂ is typically classified as a misdemeanor offense. However, the penalties remain severe:
Additionally, if you refuse a breathalyzer or blood test, your penalties become even more severe due to Maine’s implied consent law. Refusing chemical testing results in:
Certain circumstances can elevate the penalties of a first-time OUI, leading to harsher consequences. These include:
If any of these factors are present, you face a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 48 hours, in addition to the standard first-time OUI penalties.
After 30 days without a license, you may qualify for early reinstatement under certain conditions:
A first-time OUI conviction can have lasting repercussions on your driving record, employment opportunities, and auto insurance rates. The best way to protect yourself is by securing experienced legal representation. At The Maine Criminal Defense Group, we fight to reduce or dismiss charges, helping you move forward with minimal impact on your future.
For a second OUI offense in Bangor, 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.
The BMV in Bangor 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.
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 Bangor 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 & OUI lawyers, serving Southern Maine, today.
19 Commercial Street
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 602-1675
Monday through Friday 9AM – 5PM
Penobscot Judicial Center
78 Exchange Street
Bangor, ME 04401
Phone: (207) 561-2300
Monday through Friday 8AM – 4PM
In an OUI case, the prosecution heavily relies on field sobriety tests, breath tests, and blood tests as evidence. However, these methods are far from infallible. At The Maine Criminal Defense Group, we scrutinize the validity of these tests to uncover potential errors that could weaken the case against you.
We examine the following key areas:
By identifying flaws in the testing process, we can challenge the prosecution’s evidence and work to have your charges reduced or even dismissed. Contact our Bangor OUI defense attorneys today to discuss your case.
If you have been charged with Operating Under the Influence (OUI) in Bangor, Maine, you may feel overwhelmed by the legal process ahead. The consequences of an OUI conviction—jail time, hefty fines, and a suspended driver’s license—can be severe. However, being charged does not mean you are automatically guilty. The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were impaired or over the legal limit, and an experienced Bangor OUI defense lawyer can challenge their case at every stage.
At The Maine Criminal Defense Group, we guide clients through the OUI court process in Bangor, ensuring they understand their legal options and building the strongest possible defense.
The first step in the OUI legal process is arraignment, which typically occurs within a few weeks of your arrest. During this court appearance:
Pleading not guilty allows your defense lawyer to challenge the evidence and negotiate for a potential dismissal or reduced charge.
Approximately six weeks after the arraignment, a dispositional conference is held. This meeting includes:
A strong defense strategy can increase the chances of securing a favorable plea deal or even a dismissal before trial.
Following the dispositional conference, your defense lawyer may file motions to suppress evidence or request additional discovery. This process includes:
Motion hearings usually occur around two weeks after the dispositional conference and can significantly impact the strength of the prosecution’s case.
If key evidence is thrown out, the prosecution’s case may become weak or unprosecutable, leading to a potential dismissal.
If your case is not resolved through negotiations or a plea deal, it moves to trial. Before the trial begins:
A fair and unbiased jury is critical to ensuring you receive a just trial.
If your case reaches trial, expect:
Most OUI trials in Bangor last one to two days, but pre-trial motions may still be filed beforehand to decide which evidence can be presented in court.
A well-prepared defense can create reasonable doubt, increasing the likelihood of an acquittal or reduced sentence.
An OUI charge in Bangor can be daunting, but you don’t have to face it alone. At The Maine Criminal Defense Group, we are committed to protecting your rights, challenging the prosecution’s case, and fighting for the best possible outcome.
With a proven track record of success, our Bangor OUI defense attorneys provide strategic legal guidance and aggressive representation to help you navigate the legal process with confidence. Whether you need to contest breathalyzer results, challenge field sobriety tests, or negotiate reduced penalties, we are here to defend you every step of the way.
Don’t risk your future. Contact The Maine Criminal Defense Group today for a confidential consultation and start building a strong defense against your OUI charges.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact us online to schedule a consult with one of our highly skilled criminal defense & OUI lawyers, serving Southern Maine, today.
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If you are facing criminal charges or an OUI/DUI offense 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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