Protecting Your Rights with Experienced Legal Representation in Saco
If you’ve been charged with a drug crime in Saco, Maine, your freedom and future are on the line. Convictions for drug possession, trafficking, distribution, or prescription fraud can result in jail time, steep fines, probation, and a lasting criminal record. Local prosecutors pursue these cases aggressively, which means you need a strong legal advocate on your side from the very beginning.
Drug charges in Maine often stem from traffic stops, home searches, or sting operations—and many involve constitutional issues like unlawful search and seizure. Whether you’re facing a misdemeanor or felony charge, having a skilled criminal defense attorney near you in Saco can make all the difference in protecting your rights and building an effective defense.
At The Maine Criminal Defense Group, our Saco drug crime defense attorneys use decades of combined experience to challenge the government’s case. We investigate the evidence, question the legality of the arrest, and work strategically to reduce charges, negotiate favorable outcomes, or fight for a dismissal when possible. Your future matters—and we’re here to defend it.
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.
Table of Contents
Drug crime schedules in Maine
Maine classifies controlled substances into four schedules (W, X, Y, and Z) based on their potential for abuse, medical use, and danger to public health. The severity of drug charges and penalties depends on which schedule the substance falls under. Here’s a breakdown of each classification:
Schedule W
Includes the most dangerous and addictive drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, methadone, oxycodone, amphetamines, and hallucinogens like MDMA. Crimes involving Schedule W substances carry the harshest penalties.
Schedule X
Covers depressants and hallucinogens not listed under Schedule W, such as chlorhexadol, nalorphine, and hashish. While still serious, offenses involving Schedule X drugs may have slightly lesser penalties.
Schedule Y
Consists of prescription medications like codeine and flurazepam, which are commonly used in medical treatments but can be abused.
Schedule Z
Includes all other prescription drugs not classified under W, X, or Y, as well as marijuana. While some charges related to Schedule Z drugs may be less severe, they can still result in criminal penalties and long-term consequences.
Understanding the drug schedule classification related to your charges is crucial for building an effective defense. At The Maine Criminal Defense Group, we fight to protect your rights and explore every possible legal avenue to reduce or dismiss charges.
Programs available if you are charged with a drug crime in Maine (Video)
Watch our video explaining what programs and options there are available when being charged with a drug-related crime.
Common Drug Crimes in Saco, Maine
Maine enforces strict drug laws, and being charged with a drug-related offense can lead to severe penalties, including jail time, heavy fines, and a permanent criminal record. Below are some of the most common drug crimes individuals face in Maine:
Drug Possession
Under Maine Revised Statute Title 17-A, §1107-A, it is illegal to knowingly or intentionally possess a scheduled drug. The severity of possession charges depends on the type and quantity of the drug. Depending on the circumstances, drug possession charges can range from a Class D misdemeanor to a Class B felony, with potential penalties including fines, probation, and incarceration.
Drug Trafficking
Drug trafficking involves the sale, distribution, or transportation of controlled substances. Under Maine Revised Statute Title 17-A, §1103, trafficking charges can escalate based on factors like the type of drug, quantity, prior convictions, and whether minors were involved. If aggravating factors exist, drug trafficking may be classified as a Class A felony, which carries the harshest penalties, including long-term imprisonment.
Cultivation of Marijuana
Maine law prohibits the cultivation or production of controlled substances, such as cannabis or opium poppies, without proper authorization. Illegally growing marijuana outside of the state’s regulated system can result in criminal charges. Cultivation penalties vary but can include fines up to $2,000 and up to one year in jail.
Marijuana
Although Maine legalized recreational marijuana, unauthorized possession, distribution, or cultivation beyond legal limits can still lead to criminal charges. Additionally, individuals without a valid medical marijuana card who attempt to use medical marijuana laws as a defense may face prosecution.
Prescription Fraud
Prescription fraud includes forging prescriptions, stealing prescription pads, altering dosages, or doctor shopping to obtain controlled substances. Under Maine Revised Statute Title 17-A, §1108, prescription drug fraud is a serious offense that can result in felony charges, significant fines, and incarceration.
If you’re facing drug crime charges in Maine, The Maine Criminal Defense Group is here to fight for your rights. Our experienced defense attorneys understand the complexities of drug laws and will work to build the strongest possible defense for your case.
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.
Penalties for drug offenses in Maine
Maine imposes strict penalties for drug-related offenses, with certain felony drug crimes carrying mandatory minimum sentences. This means that unless a judge finds exceptional circumstances, they cannot issue a sentence below the mandated jail term.
- Class A crime: A class A drug conviction is a felony offense and the most serious of drug crimes, which can lead to a 30-year jail sentence and $50,000 in fines.
- Class B crime: A class B drug conviction is a felony offense and can lead to 10 years in jail and $20,000 in fines.
- Class C crime: A class C convictions is a felony and has a maximum sentence of 5 years in jail and $5,000 in fines,
- Class D crime: A class D drug conviction is a misdemeanor crime that is punishable by one year in jail and a $2,000 fine.
- Class E crime: A class E drug conviction is a misdemeanor crime that is punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $500 fine.
Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Felonies in Maine
For severe drug crimes, including aggravated drug trafficking or offenses involving firearms, the following mandatory minimum sentences apply:
- Class A Felony – Minimum 4 years in prison.
- Class B Felony – Minimum 2 years in prison.
- Class C Felony – Minimum 1 year in prison if:
- A firearm was used during the commission of the drug crime.
- The offense involved aggravated drug trafficking (as defined by Maine law).
- The crime was related to marijuana trafficking.
While judges in Maine have some discretion in sentencing, these minimum penalties must be enforced unless a legal exception applies. If you’re facing drug charges, an experienced criminal defense attorney can explore options to reduce your charges, challenge evidence, or seek sentencing alternatives to avoid these harsh penalties.
What is the typical sentence for drug possession, trafficking or distribution in Maine? (Video)
Penalties for Drug Possession in Saco
If you’re charged with drug possession in Saco, Maine, the consequences can be serious—ranging from fines and probation to jail or state prison time. Under Maine law, drug possession penalties depend on the type and amount of the controlled substance. Substances like heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl are classified as Schedule W drugs and often carry harsher consequences.
For smaller amounts of Schedule W drugs, possession is typically charged as a Class D misdemeanor, punishable by:
- Up to 364 days in jail
- Fines up to $2,000
Larger amounts, repeat offenses, or aggravating factors (like possession near a school zone) may result in a Class C felony, which carries:
- Up to 5 years in prison
- A fine of up to $5,000
- Up to 3 years of probation
Depending on your criminal history, you may also be eligible for alternative resolutions like deferred disposition or drug treatment court, which can help reduce or dismiss the charges upon successful completion.
If you’ve been arrested for drug possession in Saco, don’t wait. Speak with a trusted criminal defense attorney near you at The Maine Criminal Defense Group to fight the charges and protect your future.
Challenging your drug charges in Maine
Being charged with a drug crime in Maine does not mean you are automatically guilty. Law enforcement must follow strict legal procedures, and any violation of your constitutional rights can be used to challenge the charges against you. At The Maine Criminal Defense Group, we focus on identifying weaknesses in the prosecution’s case to protect your freedom and future.
Key Defense Strategies for Fighting Drug Charges
- Unlawful Search and Seizure – Police must have a valid search warrant or legal justification for searching your home, vehicle, or person. If they conducted a search without proper authority, evidence obtained may be suppressed.
- Violation of Your Rights – You have the right to remain silent, and anything you say can be used against you. If officers coerced you into making statements, your defense attorney can challenge their admissibility in court.
- Faulty or Inconclusive Evidence – The prosecution must prove possession, intent, or distribution beyond a reasonable doubt. If there are gaps in the evidence, a strong defense strategy can expose them.
- Chain of Custody Issues – Drug evidence must be handled properly from the moment it is seized. If there are errors in documentation or testing, the integrity of the evidence can be questioned.
If you have been arrested for a drug crime in Maine, it’s critical to act quickly. Our experienced defense attorneys will analyze your case, challenge police actions, and fight to protect your rights. Contact The Maine Criminal Defense Group today for a confidential consultation.
Contact our Saco Drug Crime Defense Lawyers Today
If you’ve been charged with drug possession, trafficking, or any controlled substance offense in Saco, Maine, don’t face the system alone. At The Maine Criminal Defense Group, we bring decades of experience in defending drug cases across Maine—and we’re ready to fight for your rights.
Our attorneys know how to challenge illegal searches, suppress evidence, and expose weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. Whether it’s your first offense or you’re facing felony charges, we take a strategic, aggressive approach designed to reduce or dismiss charges and protect your future.
Time is critical. Contact our Saco drug crime defense lawyers today to schedule a confidential consultation with a trusted criminal defense attorney near you.
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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