The Maine Criminal Defense Group

An OUI charge needs to be taken seriously in Maine. OUI penalties are harsh and potentially life-altering, with potential consequences not only for your immediate freedoms and financial position but also for your future.

An OUI conviction could result in a lifelong criminal record, which is visible to potential employers, landlords, and other parties conducting background checks.

More immediately, you will face a mandatory jail sentence, the length of which depends on whether it is your first offense or not:

First-time offense –30 days in jail
Second-time offense – six months in jail
Third-time offense – nine months plus one day in jail
Fourth-time offense – two years in jail
When considering prior offenses, Maine has a “look-back” period of ten years.

In addition to the mandatory jail time, substantial fines and license suspensions apply as follows:

First-time offense – $500 fine and a minimum 90-day license suspension
Second-time offense – $1,000 fine and a mandatory three-year suspension
Third-time offense – minimum $1,000 fine (no maximum) and a mandatory six-year suspension
Fourth-time offense – minimum $1,000 fine (no maximum) and a mandatory six-year suspension
All repeat offenders must fit an ignition interlock device in their vehicles. This is a type of in-vehicle breath test that prevents you from starting the engine unless a zero-alcohol reading is detected.