Maine State Bar
Justia Lawyer Rating
Super Lawyers
National College for DUI Defense
National College for DUI Defense
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Martindale-Hubbell
Avvo
MTLA
AV Preeminent

Published on: | by

What Is Indecent Exposure in Maine?

The Webb Law Firm is a24-hour law firm with offices in Saco and Portland. We answer your call 24 hours a day. Free initial consultation. (207) 283-6400.

Indecent exposure in Maine refers to the crime of intentionally exposing one’s genitals in circumstances likely to cause affront or alarm. The statute applies equally to women and men. A conviction carries criminal penalties including potential jail time. Understanding how Maine defines this offense is essential for anyone facing charges or trying to avoid them.

A person commits indecent conduct by exposing their genitals under circumstances likely to cause affront or alarm to others. This is a Class E crime in Maine. A related but separate offense – public indecency – also exists as a Class E crime. It covers broader conduct in public spaces.

Continue Reading ›

Published on: | by

Robbery, Burglary, and Theft: A Quick Overview

John Scott Webb headshot, criminal defense attorney Maine
Robbery involves taking property from a person through force or threat. Burglary involves unlawful entry into a structure with intent to commit a crime. Theft is the broad term for unlawfully taking someone’s property without force or entry.

People often use these terms interchangeably, but Maine law treats each as a distinct offense. Each has different elements, penalties, and consequences. The difference between robbery and burglary comes down to the target: a person or a place. When theft enters the mix, the distinctions become even more important. Prosecutors choose charges based on the specific facts of your case.

Continue Reading ›
by
Posted in: Criminal Defense
Published on:
Updated:

Published on: | by

Can You Be Held Legally Responsible for Your Spouse’s OUI?

In Maine, you cannot be charged with your spouse’s OUI (operating under the influence) simply because you are married. Criminal liability for OUI is individual. The penalties – fines, license suspension, and possible jail time – attach only to the person who operated the vehicle while impaired.

Maine uses the term OUI rather than DUI. The offense is defined under operating under the influence. It applies to the person behind the wheel. Marriage does not create shared criminal responsibility.

Continue Reading ›
by
Posted in: DUI and OUI Law
Published on:
Updated:

Published on: | by

What Does Theft of Services Mean?

Criminal mischief Maine lawyer John Webb can help you if charged with intentionally destroying someone's property.

Theft of services is a criminal offense. It occurs when a person obtains services – available only for compensation – through deception, threat, false token, or other unauthorized means to avoid payment. Unlike theft of physical property, this crime targets the value of labor, utilities, hospitality, and other intangible services.

Understanding theft of services starts with a simple distinction. Stealing a television from a store is theft of property. Walking out of a hotel without paying for a three-night stay is theft of services. Both are criminal offenses under Maine law, but they fall under different statutes.

Continue Reading ›
by
Posted in: Criminal Defense
Published on:
Updated:

Published on: | by

What Is the Castle Doctrine?

John Scott Webb, criminal defense attorney headshot
The castle doctrine is a legal principle that allows homeowners to use reasonable force – including deadly force in certain circumstances – to defend against intruders in their home without a duty to retreat. Rooted in the English common law idea that “a man’s home is his castle,” this doctrine recognizes that people have a fundamental right to feel safe where they live and sleep.

The castle doctrine is straightforward in concept. It is the legal recognition that you may protect yourself and your family inside your own dwelling using force proportional to the threat you face. Over time, legislatures across the United States have codified this principle into modern statutes. Each state has its own rules about when and how much force is permitted.

Continue Reading ›

Published on: | by

What Does Bail Mean?

John Scott Webb, criminal defense attorney with professional credentials and ratings

Bail is a financial arrangement that allows a person charged with a crime to be released from custody while awaiting trial. It serves two core purposes: ensuring the defendant returns to court for all required hearings and protecting the presumption of innocence that every person holds until proven guilty.

The meaning of bail in law goes deeper than just posting money. Bail is not a punishment. It is a pretrial release mechanism. It balances the government’s interest in public safety against an individual’s right to liberty before conviction. Maine’s bail framework outlines how courts and bail commissioners determine release conditions and set bail amounts.

Continue Reading ›
by
Posted in: Criminal Defense
Published on:
Updated:

Published on: | by

What Is Class C Assault in Maine?

Criminal mischief Maine lawyer John Webb can help you if charged with intentionally destroying someone's property.

Class C assault is a felony-level criminal offense in Maine. It carries up to five years in prison. Maine’s criminal code classifies assault charges by severity. They range from Class E (the least serious) to Class A (the most serious). A Class C assault charge falls in the middle of this scale. It is a serious felony.

The primary statute behind most Class C assault charges covers aggravated assault. Under this law, a person commits Class C assault by:

Continue Reading ›
by
Posted in: Criminal Defense
Published on:
Updated:

Published on: | by

What Happens When You Get Your First OUI in Maine

If you are arrested for a first DUI in Maine, you face a Class D misdemeanor charge. The penalties include a minimum $500 fine, a 150-day license suspension, and up to 364 days in jail. Maine calls this offense OUI – Operating Under the Influence – but it is the same as what most states call DUI. The process starts with a traffic stop and arrest. It moves through a BMV administrative hearing on your license. It ends with a criminal case in district court.

Maine’s OUI law is found in statute. You can face charges if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or higher. CDL holders face a lower threshold of 0.04%.

Continue Reading ›
by
Posted in: DUI and OUI Law
Published on:
Updated:

Published on: | by

What to Look for When Choosing Your Defense Team

When you’re facing criminal charges in Maine, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is selecting the right criminal defense law firm. The stakes are high, and with your freedom, future employment, and reputation on the line, you need more than just any attorney—you need a specialized team with deep experience in criminal defense.

This guide breaks down what Maine criminal defense law firms actually do, how to evaluate them, and the key factors that should influence your decision when facing criminal charges. Many people start by searching online for “Maine criminal defense group” or “The Maine Criminal Defense Group,” but what you need is a local criminal defense team with the experience and resources to back up that kind of name in the real world.

Continue Reading ›

Published on: | by

Emergency DUI Lawyer in Portland: 24-Hour Legal Help When You Need It Most

Getting arrested for driving under the influence can happen suddenly and disrupt your entire life. You might be on your way home from dinner, a friend’s house, or a work event when flashing blue lights appear behind you. In that moment, your rights and your future depend on how quickly you act. Webb Law Firm’s experienced Portland DUI attorneys stand ready to take your call 24 hours a day. Our team focuses on criminal defense law and has decades of experience defending people arrested for drunk driving across Maine.

Why Speed Matters After an OUI Arrest

Continue Reading ›
Contact Information
Saco, ME Office
16 Middle St
Saco, ME 04072
Phone: (207) 283-6400Fax: (207) 283-4900
Portland, ME Office
120 Exchange St
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 283-6400
We serve clients throughout Southern Maine, including, but not limited to, those in the following localities: Androscoggin County including Auburn; Cumberland County including Bridgton, Brunswick, Cape Elizabeth, Casco, Portland, South Portland, and Westbrook; Kennebec County including Augusta, Gardiner, and Hallowell; Knox County including Camden and Rockland; Lincoln County including Boothbay Harbor and Waldoboro; Sagadahoc County including Bath; Waldo County including Belfast; York County including Biddeford, Kennebunkport, Saco, and Sanford. View More

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Please do not include any confidential or sensitive information in a contact form, text message, or voicemail. The contact form sends information by non-encrypted email, which is not secure. Submitting a contact form, sending a text message, making a phone call, or leaving a voicemail does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Copyright © 2026, Webb Law Firm
JUSTIA Law Firm Blog Design