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Maine Civil Rights Questions & Answers
2 Answers | 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

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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 Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Maine on
Q: I had to go to court over a False Police Report and Entrapment and did not have a lawyer when I went to court.

The two evil women who testified against me perjured themselves in front of the judge and she had no right to take the testimony when there's no evidence and...

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 17, 2024

I apologize that you had to go through such a difficult experience in court. It sounds like you feel the allegations against you were false and unjust, and that facing the legal system without a lawyer was very challenging.

A few thoughts, while acknowledging I don't know all the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Maine on
Q: How is it that a person can walk into a police station and make a false accusation and the accused is charged..

My son's father told police I stole his wallet when he knows for a fact I didn't. I was arrested I never spoke to cop about this

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 12, 2024

I'm so sorry to hear that you're dealing with this terrible situation. It's incredibly frustrating and unjust when false accusations lead to criminal charges. Unfortunately, it is all too common for police to take an accuser at their word, especially in "he said, she said"... 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 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.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 4, 2024

The specific time frame a state has to prosecute after an indictment is returned can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the nature of the charges. This period is governed by the statute of limitations, which sets the maximum time after an event within which legal proceedings may be initiated.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Civil Rights, Gov & Administrative Law and Real Estate Law for Maine on
Q: Handling harassment in HUD-funded housing in Maine

I live in HUD-funded low-income housing, and for over a year, a tenant has been harassing and tormenting several tenants, including myself. Despite reporting this to the property management company several times, including formal and written complaints, no action has been taken against the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 12, 2025

It’s completely understandable that you feel unsafe and frustrated, especially when your reports haven’t been taken seriously. Tenants in HUD-funded housing are entitled to live in a safe environment, free from harassment, threats, and intimidation. When property management fails to act on... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Sexual Harassment and Civil Rights for Maine on
Q: Inappropriate relationship with boss impacting health and fear of retaliation. What should I do?

I work for the government and have entered into an inappropriate sexual relationship with my boss. The situation has become unbearable in the workplace, affecting my mental health, eating habits, and sleep. I've even visited the emergency room due to these issues. Despite this, I'm afraid... View More

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answered on Sep 11, 2025

Your health and safety must come first. The stress from this situation is serious, and the fact that it has affected your eating, sleep, and led to an emergency room visit shows that immediate steps are needed to protect yourself. Make sure you continue seeking medical care and consider talking to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Civil Litigation for Maine on
Q: Can my mom take my gifted laptop if I'm angry and living at home?

I am 19 years old and live in my mother's house. She took away my laptop, which was given to me as a gift, because I got angry. She has done this in the past with other personal items. Is she legally allowed to take away my laptop under these circumstances?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Aug 2, 2025

Even though you’re 19 and legally an adult, living in your mom’s home puts you under her household rules. That doesn’t mean she owns your property—if the laptop was clearly a gift to you, then legally it belongs to you. Gifts, once given and accepted, can’t usually be taken back just... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Gov & Administrative Law for Maine on
Q: How can I delete a voicemail from a blocked number without violating a no-contact order?

I received a voicemail from a blocked number on my Verizon mobile phone, despite a no-contact order being in place. I want to delete the voicemail to access other messages without violating the order by listening to it. How can I safely remove it without listening, and would listening itself be... View More

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answered on Jul 5, 2025

You are not violating a no-contact order simply by receiving a voicemail, especially if the call was unsolicited and you had no part in initiating it. The responsibility to avoid contact lies with the restrained party—not with you. However, to stay fully in compliance and avoid any potential... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Domestic Violence and Gov & Administrative Law for Maine on
Q: Why can't I buy a new gun in Maine after a restraining order allowed me to keep my guns?

I live in Maine, and a court initially ordered my guns to be taken away due to a restraining order. However, after the court proceedings, I was able to get my guns back. Recently, when I attempted to purchase a new firearm, my purchase was rejected. The restraining order permits me to keep my guns,... View More

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answered on Jul 5, 2025

Even though the court ultimately allowed you to keep your firearms, the original restraining order may have triggered a temporary prohibition under federal or state law that remains flagged in background check systems. When a firearm dealer runs a background check through the National Instant... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Gov & Administrative Law and Criminal Law for Maine on
Q: What type of lawyer do I need for ADA and due process rights violation in Maine?

I'm disabled with documented neurological trauma and require remote access. I verbally requested ADA accommodations, but no formal process was offered. The court sent info to the wrong address, assigned me another person’s felony docket, sealed my case, and denied Zoom access. A bench... View More

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answered on Jun 10, 2025

What you’ve described is deeply troubling and deserves immediate legal attention. You should seek a civil rights attorney with experience in both ADA law and constitutional due process issues. Because your concerns span both access violations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law, Civil Litigation and Civil Rights for Maine on
Q: Timeframe for mental health eval in Maine; issues with delay and incarceration.

I need clarification on the timeframe for conducting a court-ordered mental health evaluation in Maine. The evaluation was ordered on April 29th for an individual currently held at Cumberland County Jail, and as of May 18th, it has not been completed. I've seen conflicting policies, with the... View More

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answered on May 31, 2025

If a court-ordered mental health evaluation was supposed to be done within a specific timeframe, such as 10 or 21 days, and it still hasn’t been completed, you have grounds to raise this delay with the court. In Maine, the general expectation is that such evaluations should be prompt, especially... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Domestic Violence, Civil Rights and Criminal Law for Maine on
Q: Can charges for violating a dismissed PFA be held against a defendant in Maine?

In Maine, if a temporary PFA (Protection From Abuse) order was dismissed after the plaintiff did not show up for the final hearing, can charges for violating the PFA still be held against the defendant? In this case, my boyfriend was charged with a violation of the PFA after his pregnant... View More

Hunter J Tzovarras
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answered on May 18, 2025

In order to be guilty of violating a protective order, the State would have to prove that at the time the protective order was in place the person violated it. If the protective order is later dismissed that would not be a defense to violating it when it was in effect.

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1 Answer | 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

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answered on May 15, 2025

It’s possible that your boyfriend’s continued detention without bail is due to a variety of factors. Even though he was released on personal recognizance previously, his current situation might involve a judge or parole board deciding that there are concerns about his potential for reoffending... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence, Civil Litigation, Civil Rights and Gov & Administrative Law for Maine on
Q: Accused of domestic violence and experiencing stalking. What legal steps can stop harassment?

I have been accused of domestic violence, and a PFA (Protection from Abuse) order was filed against me. However, the person who obtained the PFA has been stalking and harassing me and my wife. We have filed multiple police reports documenting incidents such as being followed, having our pictures... View More

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answered on May 15, 2025

If you are experiencing ongoing harassment despite the issuance of a Protection from Abuse (PFA) order, there are several legal steps you can take to stop the harassment. First, document every incident of stalking or harassment in detail, including dates, times, locations, and any evidence such as... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights and Civil Litigation for Maine on
Q: ADA disclosed my identity as a confidential informant, causing harassment and safety concerns.

I'm a confidential informant and was charged with unlawful trafficking. I did three wired buys and informed on multiple individuals. However, the ADA disclosed my identity by leaving my address and phone number in the discovery documents of the person I did a controlled buy on, leading to... View More

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answered on May 14, 2025

What you're dealing with is extremely serious, and your concerns about safety are valid. As a confidential informant, your identity should have been protected—especially when you were cooperating in good faith and making controlled buys under law enforcement direction. If the Assistant... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Education Law, Civil Rights and Civil Litigation for Maine on
Q: Can my child legally record bullying incidents by a bus monitor in Maine for evidence?

My child is experiencing bullying from a bus monitor at school, which includes being kicked in the shin and poked despite asking to be left alone. When reported to the school and bus garage, they claim it didn't happen based on their videos. Witnesses, such as other children on the bus,... View More

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answered on May 14, 2025

What your child is going through is unacceptable, and it’s frustrating to feel like the system is ignoring your concerns. When your child is being hurt or intimidated by someone in a position of authority, it’s natural to want proof so their voice is finally taken seriously. In Maine, it’s... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice, Civil Rights, Civil Litigation, Gov & Administrative Law and Personal Injury for Maine on
Q: Challenge license revocation after doctor alleged alcohol dependence?

I was wrongly labeled as "alcohol dependent" by my former doctor, leading to my Florida driver’s license being revoked. I used to drink one shot of vodka with soda water nightly for cervical dystonia pain. Now, I'm required to attend rehab for three months. The doctor alerted the... View More

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answered on May 14, 2025

What happened to you is deeply frustrating, and it’s understandable that you feel like your rights have been violated. Being labeled as alcohol dependent based on limited use—especially for a medical condition—can have serious consequences, and losing your license impacts your daily life and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Civil Litigation for Maine on
Q: Is it legal for my parents to open my packages without permission?

I live with my parents, and they have opened two packages addressed to me without my knowledge. The most recent package contained a phone that I purchased to communicate with my lawyer. Is it legal for them to open my packages without permission, even if I live in their home?

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answered on Apr 7, 2025

It is understandable to be concerned about privacy, especially when it comes to personal items like packages. Legally, if you live with your parents and they are the ones paying for the household or managing it, there may be some gray areas depending on where you live. In many cases, unless you... View More

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