In the state of Maine, the administrative office of the court of Maine published “The Judicial Branch Citizen’s guide” which states that civil violations include:
- Minor traffic infractions,
- Possession of a small amount of marijuana,
- Violations of town and city ordinances, such as leash laws.
If an individual commits a civil violation a ticket will be issued by an officer with summons instructions dictating for the individual to appear in District Court on a certain date.
While the civil violations are not as serious as a criminal offense and does not have to be “proven beyond reasonable doubt” if the individual does not appear in court or pay the fine a civil violation can become much more serious.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact our Maine criminal defense attorneys directly online to schedule a confidential consultation.
Blog Posts
You don’t know how you got here. Recently, were are sitting in a cell that you never pictured yourself in, wondering if you really might end up being sentenced to[...]
You were just in your attorney’s office talking about the plea offer the prosecutor sent over. Your attorney explained what it is and the sentence range you would face if[...]
You sit across from your attorney and hear the accuser’s account for the first time: a detail that never happened, a timeline that shifts from the police report to the[...]
The moment you suspect you’re under investigation or face criminal charges in Maine, your next decision could determine your future. Every conversation with law enforcement, every document you sign, and[...]
After an arrest and criminal charge in Maine, a defendant’s first court appearance may be to apply for bail at the arraignment and bail hearing. The process of securing a[...]
If you are charged with a crime in Maine, going to trial is just one of the possible outcomes. In fact, around 90 percent of criminal cases in Maine are[...]
Defendants in criminal cases typically have four options for resolving their case if the charges are not dismissed: Plea negotiation, where the defendant agrees to plead guilty (or no contest)[...]
Many people are unaware that it is a criminal offense in Maine to make a false report of an emergency that causes public alarm. Even those who are aware of[...]
A criminal conviction usually appears on criminal records for life in Maine, potentially impacting the individual’s employment, education, travel, housing, immigration status, and more. However, certain low-level misdemeanor convictions can[...]
The legal term for sentencing a convicted criminal is not required to serve is called a suspended sentence. A suspended sentence is handed down during the sentencing portion following a[...]