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Maine Criminal Law Questions & Answers
0 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Rights for Maine on
Q: Why is my boyfriend still in jail without bail for disorderly conduct in Maine?

My boyfriend has been in jail for about two months without bail due to a disorderly conduct charge. He has a minor past criminal history from 14 years ago. He was arrested for disorderly conduct and bringing in contraband, which turned out to be his own medication with proof provided. He was also... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Rights for Maine on
Q: My boyfriend sits in Cumberland County jail been there since last Thursday he can’t bail out has no bail. Why?!!

He always has had bail before so why not now??

Hunter J Tzovarras
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answered on Apr 18, 2025

There are a few reasons, he could be held with no bail: (1) If he is serving a sentencing there would be no bail, or (2) If he was previously on bail before the new charge, the State could have filed a motion to revoke bail and the Court can be holding him with no bail pending a motion to revoke or... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law, Civil Rights and Criminal Law for Maine on
Q: Falsely accused of assault, lost in Supreme Court of Maine without a lawyer; seeking next steps.

I was falsely accused of assault by a woman who I have had disputes with for 12 years due to her negative views about gay people. I lost my case in the Supreme Court of Maine because I did not have legal representation. I did not start the argument that led to these accusations. I'm looking... View More

Hunter J Tzovarras
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answered on Apr 14, 2025

If your case was already appealed to the Maine Supreme Court then the only other avenue for an appeal is to the United States Supreme Court. In order to have the U.S. Supreme Court hear an appeal an application must be filed with the Court within 90 days of the date the Maine Supreme Court denied... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Constitutional Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Maine on
Q: Facing a Class D Misdemeanor in Maine, evidence withheld despite rights. How to proceed?

I'm facing a Class D Misdemeanor charge in Maine, and the state is withholding all evidence from me, despite my right to access it under 501-1 A. Even with an official Motion to Dismiss, Compel, and other attempts, the DA claims I can't have it, and a judge has sealed the records. I... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 12, 2025

Your situation raises significant due process concerns under Maine Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 16, which governs discovery rights in criminal cases. Maine law generally requires prosecutors to disclose evidence to defendants, with limited exceptions for witness protection or confidential... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Contracts, Civil Litigation, Libel & Slander and Personal Injury for Maine on
Q: Mother forged my name on vehicle title & sold it. Legal actions?

I am currently living outside the country, but before leaving, I paid off my vehicle and had the title sent to my mother's house, where the truck was being stored. In April 2025, my mother forged my signature on the title and sold my truck without my permission. I have no evidence, as she held... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 12, 2025

Vehicle Title Forgery Analysis

Your mother's actions constitute forgery and theft by conversion under virtually all state jurisdictions, representing both civil and criminal violations with potential felony implications. Forgery of vehicle title documents typically constitutes a...
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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Litigation for Maine on
Q: Is reading saved messages violating no-contact order in Maine?

I am currently under a court order that prohibits any direct or indirect contact with a specific individual. I recently received messages from this person on a messaging app, which expressed that they missed me. I took screenshots of these messages to save them for court. Is reading these messages... View More

Hunter J Tzovarras
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answered on Apr 8, 2025

Reading the messages would not be considered contact, but any response would be contact.

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Litigation and Civil Rights for Maine on
Q: Maine DEA informant confidentiality breach legal actions?

I worked as a confidential informant for the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, with a promise that my identity would remain confidential. Despite this agreement, my statement, including my address and phone number, was included in the discovery paperwork in a case involving a controlled buy. As a... View More

Hunter J Tzovarras
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answered on Apr 5, 2025

You would want to speak to a civil rights lawyer to see what options exists for the breach of confidentiality. You should also report any threats or vandalism to law enforcement. I'm not a civil lawyer so can't provide any advice or answers beyond this.

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Rights for Maine on
Q: How do I correct an incorrect criminal record in Maine?

I discovered that my criminal record incorrectly states I was charged and convicted of two counts of aggravated trafficking in 2013. In reality, I only faced and accepted a plea for a conspiracy to commit trafficking charge with one count dismissed. Now, I am currently being charged with aggravated... View More

Hunter J Tzovarras
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answered on Mar 30, 2025

You will want to contact a lawyer who defends drug trafficking cases. If the prior convictions are alleged incorrectly, the lawyer can obtain the court files and move to strike the incorrect priors alleged in the Indictment.

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Maine on
Q: Can I keep a no trespassing order after dropping criminal mischief charge?

I wish to drop a criminal mischief charge against a woman who kicked and threw rocks at my door to avoid going to court, as she has requested a jury trial. However, I want to ensure that the written no trespassing order, issued by a police officer, remains in effect. Is it possible to keep the no... View More

Hunter J Tzovarras
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answered on Mar 5, 2025

A no trespass order is separate from a criminal charge in court. It would remain in effect even if the criminal charge is dismissed. Typically, a no trespass order is effective for one year. You should contact the DA's office about your concerns with the trial and proceeding on the criminal case.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Maine on
Q: Is it normal for a defendant to not be present/involved at their disposition conference

I went to my Disposition conf. (for D.V. Charge) and was not personally involved in any negotiations.

Not only did my lawyer not contact me prior to my date.. I had to text him to find out where he was once I was there. Once we had met up in a conf room.. I was told to "hang on"... View More

Hunter J Tzovarras
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answered on Feb 11, 2025

Dispositional conference are held in chambers between the State's attorney and defense counsel. The defendant is not present for the conference in chambers. The defendant is required to appear in court and be available to discuss any offer with counsel. If any agreement is reached between the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Maine on
Q: On probation I was stopped for no reason driving someone else’s vehicle with a clean record, did he have right to stop?
Hunter J Tzovarras
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answered on Jan 6, 2025

The Fourth Amendment requires that law enforcement need a reasonable and articulable suspicion a crime, traffic violation, or public safety concern exists in order to stop a vehicle. So typically the police cannot stop a vehicle for no reason.

Fourth Amendment rights can be lessened if a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Maine on
Q: Find out what they decided in court today on my case
Hunter J Tzovarras
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answered on Sep 16, 2024

You can contact the clerk's office at the court to ask about the status of the case.

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Admiralty / Maritime for Maine on
Q: If someone is holding onto your vessel and has been instructed to release your vessel and they do not, can you remove it
Hunter J Tzovarras
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answered on Jun 23, 2024

The answer to this questions would depend on numerous factors, such as where is the vessel being held, does the person holding it claim any right to it, how it would be removed, etc? You should consult with a lawyer about the particular facts and circumstances of this matter before taking any... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Maine on
Q: I'm on a deferred disposition

I am on a deferred disposition and had to get a substance abuse assement and counseling I completed the six week program and turned down the "reccomdation" for extended counseling I didn't know required and reccomdation were the same in that respect can I get back into the... View More

Hunter J Tzovarras
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answered on Jun 13, 2024

If you have a lawyer representing you on this deferred disposition, you should contact your lawyer for legal advice. Generally, you can ask to follow up with the recommendation for extended counseling now and be in compliance with the deferred disposition agreement. It is better to follow up with... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Maine on
Q: What is the statute of limitations on being charged with Class E misdemeanor? How does Maine issue warrants?
Hunter J Tzovarras
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answered on Apr 8, 2024

The statute of limitations for a Class E misdemeanor is 3 years. There are some exceptions and exertions that can apply, such as when the person is absent from the State of Maine. You'll want to review Title 17-A Section 8 of the Maine Revised Statutes.... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Rights for Maine on
Q: How long after indictment returned does a state have to prosecute of you're already incarcerated serving another county

I was serving time for a separate county, I served 16 months. Once I was released on probation for that county, I was re arrested for an indictment that was filed 12 months prior that I was never made aware of because they admittedly made a clerical error.

Hunter J Tzovarras
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answered on Feb 2, 2024

You have a right to a speedy trial on an indictment. If the State failed to prosecute the case for 12 months--due to no fault of your own--you can raise this as a speedy trial claim and request a dismissal. There are four factors the court considers in whether to dismiss a case for a speedy trial... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Maine on
Q: I'm on a deferred disposition And am not aloud to use or posses alcohol but on the marijuana box it has nothing

Will I get in trouble for smoking since it's still federally illegal I'm in a state where it's legal

Hunter J Tzovarras
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answered on Jan 18, 2024

If the deferred disposition agreement and bail bond do not prohibit using marijuana then using it will not be considered a violation of either. Possessing marijuana is still a federal crime in Maine. The Justice Department is unlikely to charge or prosecutor misdemeanor possessions of marijuana in... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Maine on
Q: In maine is it legal for my child to record on her school bus if she has felt unsafe or bus driver has been retaliating

She used her phone to record bus driver being really bad to these kids. She then told her boss and to me, if you have nothing to hide then why should it matter

Hunter J Tzovarras
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answered on Dec 14, 2023

There is no criminal statute prohibiting a recording on a school bus. There may be school related policies against it, but it would not be a criminal violation.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Legal Malpractice for Maine on
Q: What should I do when a lawyer knows that my case could've been won?

I had an attorney for another law firm tell me that when they worked for my trial lawyer they looked at my case and they told me that my trial lawyer "screwed me over". my trial lawyer filed a motion to suppress evidence but never showed up, the motion was because I was held at MMC in... View More

Hunter J Tzovarras
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answered on Dec 10, 2023

The procedure for challenging a conviction due to errors by trial counsel is a post-conviction review for ineffective assistance of counsel. Once the post-conviction process is final in the State court, you can file a petition for review in the federal court. There are strict time limits for filing... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Maine on
Q: Was arrested for Domestic Violence Assault about year ago - again for disorderly conduct- will there be jail time ?

Dropped domestic charge to a disorderly conduct charge

Hunter J Tzovarras
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answered on Nov 11, 2023

All domestic violence charges in Maine have a penalty range of 0 to 364 days in jail. It is possible a domestic violence conviction can result in jail time. It depends on the nature of the offense (what happened, whether there was injury, etc) and the individual defendant, such as any prior record.... View More

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