OUI laws in Gorham, Maine are severe and you can expect no help from law enforcement if you are stopped on suspicion of drunk or impaired driving.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact us online to schedule a consult with one of our highly skilled OUI & criminal defense attorneys today.
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Gorham is a town in southern Maine, just to the west of Portland, with a population of 6,882 in the 2010 census.
As a close suburb to what is becoming one of the hottest cities in New England, Gorham has become the fastest-growing community in the state of Maine.
The financial website NerdWallet even ranked Gorham as the second best town in Maine for young families, citing its rapid growth, low unemployment rates, and high number of artistic events held every year.
With all of this in mind, it should not come as a surprise that Gorham is younger and more affluent than the Maine state average.
The median age of Gorham is 32.5 years old, while Maine’s is 44. Additionally, Gorham’s median household income – a good way of determining a community’s collective wealth – is $67,190, significantly over the median household income of the whole of Maine, which is $46,974.
As expected with this kind of young, affluent, and suburban background, Gorham’s crime statistics show that it is one of the safer towns in Maine, with violent and property crime rates well below the national average.
These numbers remain low, despite the small police force in the town, which had only 1.4 officers per 1,000 residents in 2012, lower than the Maine state average of 1.7.
Due in large part to the fact that one of the University of New England’s (UNE) college campuses are in Gorham, Gorham PD aggressively patrols the community for DUI offenders. College kids like to drink and some of them like to drink and drive.
Gorham PD aggressively pursues and prosecute college-aged DUI offenders. Of course, this aggressive enforcement of Maine’s drunk driving laws results in other, ordinary citizens, getting picked up for an OUI offense in Gorham.
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 |
A “first offense” means that you do not have any prior OUI convictions in any state within the preceding 10 years.
Maine imposes the following set of mandatory minimum criminal penalties for a first offense OUI conviction:
Gorham judges frequently exceed these minimum penalties and hand down harsher punishments. It’s important to bear in mind that even for a first conviction, Maine OUI laws allow for a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail.
Penalties for second and subsequent OUI offenses carry harsher minimum and maximum penalties.
The BMV in Gorham 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.
Read More → Refusing a Breathalyzer or Chemical Test when Pulled Over for an OUI in Maine
For a second OUI offense in 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.
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 Gorham 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 OUI & criminal defense attorneys today.
19 Commercial St
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 602-1675
Monday through Friday 9AM – 5PM
Contact one of our experienced OUI defense attorneys in Portland, Maine to help you avoid much of the aforementioned pain and headache that comes with getting arrested for drinking and driving.
205 Newbury Street
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 822-4200
Monday through Friday 8AM – 4PM
The Maine district courthouse resides in a large, bulky, white stone building. Driving directions can be found using the following Google Maps directions, and are also available on the court’s website.
Importantly, make sure that you go to the correct courthouse. The Federal District Court for Southern Maine is located directly across Pearl Street from the Maine District Court. The Federal District Court is for federal cases – many people mistakenly go to the federal courthouse when they actually have a state case.
Your OUI charge is a state charge, so will be handled in the Maine District Court, not the Federal District Court.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact us online to schedule a consult with one of our highly skilled OUI & criminal defense attorneys today.
Facing the potential repercussions of an OUI conviction, including jail time and fines, underscores the importance of having a knowledgeable attorney guide you through every phase of the investigation.
The Maine Criminal Defense Group specializes in offering advice on the intricate facets of the OUI court process in Maine, emphasizing the pivotal question of whether the prosecutor can establish your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Follow along as we navigate the OUI court process, unraveling each step to gain an understanding of how everything unfolds.
Contact our office to speak with
one of our team members who will set up a confidential consultation to discuss your case.
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!!
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.”
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.
"Bill Bly did an excellent job of listening and addressing our concerns. He answered all of our questions in a timely manner and got results. I highly recommend his services!"
— John H.
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