An OUI lawyer will aggressively defend your case in order to protect your freedom and driving privileges. A conviction on an OUI charges can have devastating consequences and include jail time, hefty fines and license suspension or revocation. In addition, a criminal record for OUI can also affect employment and school applications as well as cause problems when it comes to travel.
The OUI process starts when an officer pulls you over and determines that he or she has reasonable suspicion that you are operating under the influence of alcohol. The officer may ask you to take field sobriety tests and a breathalyzer test. If he or she feels that there is enough evidence to arrest you, the officer will file formal OUI charges.
A good OUI lawyer will thoroughly review the facts of your case, investigate the circumstances surrounding your stop and arrest and prepare a strategy to fight your OUI charges. An experienced OUI attorney will understand the scientific nuances that are involved in OUI cases and can often find and exploit weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
OUI defenses can range from constitutional challenges to issues regarding the validity of the testing. There are many reasons you may want to challenge the evidence in your case, such as if the Officer violated your Constitutional Rights by pulling you over or if the Breath Test was administered incorrectly.
OUI is a misdemeanor crime in the state of Maine. A first offense OUI carries a maximum penalty of two and a half years in a House of Correction, significant fines and fees, a driver’s license loss or revocation, probation and mandatory enrollment in an alcohol education program. OUI lawyer