First Offense DUI in Maine

The state of Maine includes both criminal and administrative penalties as a means of resolving first DUI in Maine criminal cases. The following outlines penalties applicable to adult drivers with a private driver’s license, and in turn, offenders such as minors, underage drinkers in violation of zero tolerance laws, and commercial drivers face different penalties. For more information, consult with a first OUI/DUI lawyer in Maine.

Administrative Penalties

• First offense DUI in Maine results in an administrative license suspension of ninety (90) days, with the possibility of restricted reinstatement earlier, most likely alongside use of ignition interlock device

• Refusals to submit under implied consent laws in Maine result in a mandatory administrative license suspension of two hundred and seventy-five (275) days

• Reinstatement likely contingent upon payment of reinstatement fees and completion of alcohol/substance abuse assessment and education program

Criminal Penalties

• First offense DUI offenders in Maine face mandatory minimum periods of incarceration of two (2) days with potential incarceration set at not more than thirty (30) days

• Fines stand at $500, but fine amount does not account for costs incurred during completion of terms of sentence, reinstatement of license, or other applicable court fees or surcharges

• Convictions for first offense OUI/DUI in Maine stay on offender’s record, and influencing sentencing in future offenses, for a period of seven (7) years

Getting Legal Help

The state of Maine does not automatically preclude a defendant from obtaining a favorable plea option involving reduction of charges to lesser criminal convictions, but in practice, the case-specific nature of each arrest and the use of legal counsel will dictate whether this option, as well as other such as dismissal, is feasible. To determine how your case may fare, consult with a Maine OUI/DUI lawyer to learn more about your legal rights and options.