Southern Maine Criminal Lawyer Blog

Trial by Jury: How Jury Trials Work in Criminal Cases

Published on: October 20, 2026 | by Webb Law Firm

What Is a Trial by Jury?

All four Webb Law Firm lawyers - Nicole Williamson, Vincent LoConte, John Webb, and Katie Campbell - posing outdoors against greenery.

A trial by jury is a legal proceeding in which a group of citizens hears evidence and decides questions of fact to reach a verdict. The judge presides over matters of law – ruling on objections, admitting evidence, and instructing jurors – while the jury determines guilt or innocence.

So what is a jury trial in practical terms? It is the cornerstone of the American criminal justice system. The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to a jury trial in criminal prosecutions. Article I, Section 6 of the Maine Constitution provides the same protection at the state level.

Statute of Limitations on Rape in Maine: What to Know

Published on: October 19, 2026 | by Webb Law Firm

What Is a Statute of Limitations and Why Does It Matter?

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A statute of limitations is a legal deadline. It sets the window of time the state has to file criminal charges – or a victim has to file a civil lawsuit – after an alleged offense. Once that window closes, prosecution or litigation generally cannot proceed.

These deadlines exist for practical reasons. Physical evidence degrades over time. Witnesses forget details or become unavailable. Courts also recognize a basic fairness interest: people should not live indefinitely under the threat of charges for conduct alleged years or decades earlier.

Maine PFA Orders: What They Are and How to Fight One

Published on: October 15, 2026 | by Webb Law Firm

What Is a PFA Order in Maine?

All four Webb Law Firm lawyers - Nicole Williamson, Vincent LoConte, John Webb, and Katie Campbell - posing outdoors against greenery.

A Maine PFA – or Protection from Abuse order – is a civil order issued by a Maine District Court under Maine's protection from abuse statutes. It is not a criminal charge. A PFA is a court directive. It protects a person from domestic violence by a family member, household member, dating partner, or someone outside that circle in certain cases.

Maine PFA orders occur in two stages. First, the plaintiff may request a temporary (ex parte) order. A judge hears and decides that request as expeditiously as practicable after the complaint is filed, without the defendant present, on good cause shown – and immediate and present danger of abuse is good cause. Second, the court schedules a final hearing where both sides present evidence. If the judge finds abuse occurred by a preponderance of the evidence, the court may issue a final PFA order. It can last up to two years.

How Long Do You Go to Jail for Domestic Violence in Maine?

Published on: June 5, 2026 | by Webb Law Firm

By Saco Criminal Defense Lawyer John Webb – Named a Super Lawyer and Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell

The Webb Law Firm team of criminal defense attorneys in southern Maine are domestic violence lawyers in Saco and Portland. We offer free consultations and payment plans. Misdemeanor domestic violence assault in Maine is a Class D crime. It carries up to 364 days in jail. Felony domestic violence – including Class C charges for repeat offenders – can carry up to 5 years in prison. Class B felony domestic violence aggravated assault, which can include strangulation, carries up to 10 years. The most serious Class A offenses carry up to 30 years.

Domestic violence assault covers intentional, knowing, or reckless physical contact. The contact must cause bodily injury or be offensive physical contact, and the alleged victim must be a family or household member. The domestic violence sentence you face depends on the severity of the alleged conduct. It also depends on whether a weapon was involved and whether you have prior convictions.

Drug Crime Charges in Sanford, Maine

Published on: June 2, 2026 | by Webb Law Firm

Webb Law Firm attorneys Nicole S. Williamson, Vincent S. LoConte, John S. Webb, and Bailey Lemieux

By: Saco ME Drug Lawyer John Webb With Over 30 Years of Courtroom Litigation Experience

Drug crimes in Sanford, Maine range from simple possession of a controlled substance to felony-level trafficking. These cases are prosecuted through the York County court system. Sanford drug lawyer John Webb has represented thousands of clients in Saco and Portland courtrooms, and John can help you understand your options and protect your rights from the start.

Drug charges in Sanford typically begin at the Biddeford District Court for misdemeanor offenses and arraignments. More serious felony cases transfer to York County Superior Court for trial or resolution. Both courts sit at the York Judicial Center, 515 Elm Street in Biddeford. Webb Law Firm handles the full spectrum of drug-related charges. Our experience spans from minor possession to large-scale trafficking throughout York County.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Search Warrant in Maine?

Published on: March 31, 2026 | by Webb Law Firm

What Is a Search Warrant?

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A search warrant is a court-authorized document that gives law enforcement permission to search a specific location for specific evidence. Both the Fourth Amendment and Article I, Section 5 of the Maine Constitution protect people against unreasonable searches and seizures. Without this protection, police could enter your home or examine your belongings without limitation.

A search warrant differs from an arrest warrant. An arrest warrant authorizes police to take a person into custody. A search warrant authorizes officers to look for and seize evidence tied to a crime. The two serve distinct legal purposes.

Hearsay Meaning: Legal Definition, Examples, and When It Is Admissible in Court

Published on: March 31, 2026 | by Webb Law Firm

What Is the Legal Definition of Hearsay?

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Hearsay is an out-of-court statement offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted. Under the Maine Rules of Evidence, a statement qualifies as hearsay when the declarant does not make it while testifying at the current trial or hearing. A party then offers it at trial to prove the statement is true. The Federal Rules of Evidence define hearsay the same way. Understanding hearsay is essential for anyone facing criminal charges or trying to make sense of courtroom evidence rules.

To define hearsay in plain terms, think of it as secondhand testimony. Hearsay is any statement a witness repeats from someone who is not present to be questioned. Hearsay hinges on one critical phrase: "offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted."

Reasonable Suspicion in Maine: What It Means for Your Rights

Published on: March 31, 2026 | by Webb Law Firm

What Is Reasonable Suspicion?

Lawyer John Scott Webb with Super Lawyers 2020 and Peer Rated badges for ethical standards and legal ability.

Reasonable suspicion is a legal standard that allows law enforcement to briefly stop and detain a person when specific, articulable facts suggest criminal activity may be occurring. It is not a hunch or a guess. Officers must point to concrete observations – behaviors, circumstances, or information – that would lead a reasonable person to suspect something unlawful is happening.

The U.S. Supreme Court established this standard in Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1 (1968). The Court held that officers may conduct a brief investigatory stop based on reasonable suspicion and objective facts. This type of encounter is often called a “Terry stop.”

What Is the Fruit of the Poisonous Tree Doctrine?

Published on: March 31, 2026 | by Webb Law Firm

What Is the Fruit of the Poisonous Tree?

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The fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine holds that evidence obtained as a direct result of an illegal search, seizure, or other constitutional violation is inadmissible in court. This rule bars not only the illegally seized items but also any secondary evidence that flows from the violation.

The metaphor is straightforward. The “tree” is the initial unlawful action by law enforcement. This might be an illegal search, a coerced confession, or an arrest without probable cause. The “fruit” is any evidence that grows from that illegal action. If the tree is poisoned, everything it produces is tainted.

Is Pushing Someone Assault? What Maine Law Says

Published on: March 31, 2026 | by Webb Law Firm

Is Pushing Considered Assault?

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Yes, pushing someone can legally constitute assault under Maine law. You do not need to throw a punch or cause visible injury. A single shove – if intentional or reckless – is enough to result in criminal charges, arrest, and a permanent record.

Maine defines assault as intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury or offensive physical contact to another person. The key phrase is “offensive physical contact.” A push that leaves no bruise, no scratch, and no lasting mark still meets this legal standard.