Hiring The Best Lawyer For Your Maine OUI Charge

A person charged with a Maine drunk driving or operating under the influence (OUI) charge faces jail time, fines, and license suspensions. It is therefore important to hire an experienced OUI defense attorney as soon as possible.

There is no “best” lawyer for OUI defense; there are many knowledgeable lawyers who do a fine job. What you really need is to find the right attorney to handle your case. Here are a few tips that will help you find a great attorney who can help you achieve the best possible result.

Avoid Lawyers Promising Dismissals or Other Results Without Reviewing the Evidence

Not even the best attorneys can guarantee an outcome in a case. A good attorney will tell you the strengths and weakness of your case. If an attorney at an initial consultation promises results without having thoroughly reviewed the evidence, seek another opinion.

Ask About The Lawyer’s Qualifications To Defend Drunk Driving Cases

Many lawyers say they “handle” OUI cases but do not understand the science. Considering asking the following to help find an attorney devoted to defending drivers accused of drunk driving:

  • Is the lawyer a member of any professional organizations devoted to defending people accused of drunk driving?
  • Is the lawyer certified to administer Standardized Field Sobriety Tests?
  • What is the horizontal gaze nystagmus test?
  • What type of machine does the State use to test breath or blood?
  • How does the Intoxilyzer work?
  • What type of issues can affect or contaminate a breath or blood test result?
  • What does the lawyer look for when defending an OUI case?

An attorney who can answer questions like these is more likely to find holes in the State’s case against you. As a result, the attorney will be better equipped to (1) convince the State that it will have problems proving the case and (2) defend you in court.

Avoid High Pressure Consultations

A good OUI lawyer will understand the importance of choosing the right lawyer. Under no circumstances you should you feel pressured to immediately sign up with the lawyer at an initial consultation, nor should you be discouraged from speaking with other attorneys. A good OUI lawyer will be able to tell you why they are a right choice to defend you without resorting to high pressure sales tactics.

Choose A Lawyer Who Clearly Explains the Law and What To Expect

An OUI arrest triggers two proceedings: First, an administrative license suspension proceeding before the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Second, a criminal proceeding in Maine’s Unified Criminal Court system.

Your lawyer should be able to clearly explain to how the entire process will look from your perspective and what steps need to be immediately taken to defend your case. A Maine OUI attorney must understand the differences between the two proceedings, how one may impact the other, and the interplay between the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the Maine Unified Criminal Court.

How We Can Help You

If you are facing a Maine OUI charge, contact us for a free 30-minute consultation. We regularly defend clients charged with OUI throughout York County and Cumberland County, including York, Ogunquit, Wells, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel, Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Sanford, Scarborough, South Portland, Springvale, and Portland.

Tyler J. Smith

Tyler J. Smith
Partner

Tyler has a diverse litigation practice including criminal defense, appellate advocacy, civil litigation, and employment law in state and federal courts. Tyler has over a decade of experience in criminal defense. He is a graduate of NHTSA’s DWI Detection and Field Sobriety Testing training course. This is the exact training that law enforcement officers receive,… Read more »