Criminal Defense in Maine
Accused of a crime in Maine? The choices you make now can shape your future.
Even a first-time offense can have serious consequences—from fines and jail time to a lasting criminal record. But you don’t have to face the justice system alone. A skilled Maine criminal defense attorney can help you fight the charges or negotiate a resolution that protects your freedom.
Too often, people go into court unprepared or misinformed, believing they can explain their way out of trouble. But legal missteps can come at a steep cost. From arraignment to sentencing, every phase of the process matters.
If you’ve been charged with a crime, it’s time to take control. We can connect you with a local Maine attorney who will listen, assess your case, and defend your rights.
Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Maine
Hiring a criminal defense lawyer in means you don’t have to face the legal system alone. You’ll have someone in your corner—someone who understands the court process, knows how to challenge the prosecution, and is ready to fight for your best possible outcome.
What is the Difference Between Parole and Probation?
If you’re facing criminal charges in , it’s important to understand the difference between parole and probation. While both involve supervised release, probation is typically served instead of jail time, while parole follows a period of incarceration.
Probation
Probation in Maine is often granted as an alternative to incarceration, particularly when the court believes the individual has the potential for rehabilitation. Instead of serving time in jail or prison, you may be released into the community under strict terms, supervision, and the ongoing oversight of a probation officer.
One significant tradeoff for probation in Maine is the requirement to submit to warrantless searches. State law allows officers to search your home, vehicle, or personal belongings without a warrant if you’re under probation supervision. This condition is meant to support enforcement, but it also underscores how closely your rights are restricted during this period.
If a judge offers probation instead of jail time, it’s usually seen as a second chance—an opportunity to show you’re ready to turn things around. However, that opportunity is never guaranteed. You’ll need a capable defense attorney to argue effectively for probation and to present a plan that satisfies the court’s concerns about public safety and accountability.
Staying out of jail doesn’t mean you’re free from rules. Standard conditions of probation in Maine include regular check-ins, substance abuse treatment when applicable, curfews, and consent to random drug testing. Any violation of these conditions may lead to arrest or a probation revocation hearing.
Financial obligations are another factor. If you’re placed on probation, you may be ordered to pay restitution to victims, cover court fees, or pay fines related to your conviction. The court may also require you to participate in community service or other rehabilitative programming.
In terms of length, Maine sets clear probation limits. For most misdemeanors, the maximum term is one year. For felony offenses, probation can last up to four years. However, under 17-A M.R.S. § 1804(3), if the victim of a felony offense is younger than 12 years old, the probation term may be extended to a maximum of 18 years. This statute allows the court greater latitude in cases involving young or vulnerable victims.
Probation Revoked
Failing to meet the conditions of your probation can have serious consequences in Maine. Judges have the authority to revoke your probation if you violate the terms set by the court. That often means serving the original jail or prison sentence that had been suspended. Depending on the severity of the violation, you could also face additional penalties, especially if your actions put others at risk or involved new criminal activity.
Probation in Maine is overseen by the Department of Corrections, with main offices located throughout the state and smaller field offices in more rural areas. If you are granted probation, you’ll be assigned a supervising officer and required to check in at regular intervals.
Beyond those meetings, you might also have to attend counseling, complete community service hours, and pay supervision fees or restitution. If you violate any of these terms, you could be brought back to court to explain why your probation should not be revoked.
However, not all violations are treated the same. If the issue is technical—such as missing a meeting or failing to report a change of address—the court may issue a verbal warning or modify your probation terms rather than sending you to jail. Maine law allows for alternative sanctions in many first-time technical violations, giving probationers a chance to correct their behavior before facing more severe consequences.
That said, if you’re accused of a violation, you’re entitled to a revocation hearing. At that hearing, you have the right to legal representation and to challenge the evidence presented against you. A skilled Maine criminal defense attorney can make the difference between getting a second chance or losing your probation entirely.
Parole
In Maine, traditional parole no longer exists in the way it once did. The state officially abolished parole in 1976, but in practice, many people released early from incarceration are placed under a form of conditional supervision that functions similarly to parole.
If you are released under conditional supervision, the Maine Department of Corrections oversees your case. You may be required to meet frequently with your supervising officer at your home, workplace, or a nearby field office. These meetings are designed to ensure you’re staying on track. You’ll also be expected to avoid criminal activity, stay drug-free, and comply with any other behavioral restrictions imposed by the court.
Failure to meet those conditions can carry serious consequences. Under state law, the Director of the Department of Corrections can issue a warrant if there’s reason to believe you’ve violated the terms of your release. Your supervising officer has the authority to return you to custody without a separate court order.
Once you’ve been returned to custody, your case is brought before the Maine Parole Board—or its functional equivalent within the state’s conditional release system. You have the right to attend this hearing with legal representation and present your side of the story. But if the Board determines that a violation occurred, it may order you to serve the remainder of your sentence behind bars.
Violating the terms of your supervision can do more than land you back in prison. It can also result in additional charges or restrict your eligibility for future release programs. If you’re at risk of being sent back to custody, a criminal defense attorney can help protect your rights and present a strong case on your behalf.
Work With an Experienced Local Maine Criminal Defense Lawyer
A criminal defense attorney can be a critical ally when you’re navigating the justice system. Whether you’re negotiating a reduced bond, contesting the charges, or seeking a favorable plea deal, a skilled lawyer knows how to leverage relationships, evidence, and courtroom strategy to pursue the best possible result. In some cases, a defense attorney may even be able to argue for a dismissal of the case entirely.
If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges in any state, contact our team to learn how we can connect you with a reputable criminal defense attorney near you. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Maine state lines.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
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