Maine DUI Penalties

Driving drunk in the state of Maine can bring with it a multitude of legal penalties. First of all, like many other states, an individual can be charged with a DUI in the state of Maine if they are either driving under the influence of alcohol and are thus impaired, or they are driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or higher. Interestingly, the first concept is based off of the offender’s physical and mental impairment due to an intoxicant, while the second is only based off the defendant’s overall body chemistry.

If an individual receives a DUI in Maine, their actions will initiate two separate court hearings. The first is a criminal case, which may result in a number of penalties such as jail time, fines, alcohol education programs, the requirement of an ignition interlock system being installed in the offender’s vehicle, and so on. The second case is a Bureau of Motor Vehicles case, and the resulting penalty may be the temporary suspension of their driving privileges.

There is also a “washout” period in the state of Maine, which means that if an individual is convicted of a DUI and he or she has a prior conviction, and that prior offense is more than ten years old, the current DWI will be treated as a first time DUI.

First DUI Conviction

The penalties for a first time DUI offense in the state of Maine may result in a 90-day suspension of the offender’s driver’s license, and a fine of $2,000. However, if the BAC level of the defendant was over .15 percent (or if the passenger was under 21), they may be sentenced to 96 hours in jail, a $600 fine, and a 90 day suspension of their driving privileges.

Second DUI Conviction

The penalties for a second time offense may be a seven-day jail sentence, a $700 fine, and an 18-month license suspension. If the defendant is under 21, the minimum suspension is two years.

Third DUI Conviction

The penalties for a third time offense may be a thirty-day to five year jail sentence, a $1,100 to $2,100 fine, and a four year suspension of the offender’s driving privileges. Furthermore, the judge can order drug or alcohol treatment at his or her discretion.

The penalties for a DUI in Maine are fairly stringent, so it is highly recommended that if you are arrested and charged for a DUI in the state of Maine, you contact a DUI defense lawyer immediately.