Criminal Defense

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.

What Is Hearsay? The Legal Definition and How It Affects Your Criminal Case

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

Hearsay Legal Definition

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Hearsay is an out-of-court statement offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted. Under Maine Rule of Evidence 801(c), a statement qualifies as hearsay when a person makes it outside of court proceedings. A party then tries to use it at trial to prove that what the person said is true. The Federal Rule of Evidence 801(c) uses the same definition.

Here is a plain-language example. A witness takes the stand and says, “My neighbor told me he saw the defendant at the scene.” That testimony is hearsay. The neighbor made the statement outside court. The witness is repeating it to prove the defendant was actually there. The neighbor is not under oath. The defense attorney cannot cross-examine the neighbor about what he saw.

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.

Guns for Felons: Can You Own a Firearm After a Felony in Maine?

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

Federal Law: Can a Felon Have a Gun?

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Under federal law, convicted felons cannot possess firearms or ammunition. Specifically, unlawful firearm possession makes it a federal crime for anyone convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison to possess, ship, transport, or receive any firearm or ammunition. This prohibition applies in all 50 states, including Maine. It does not expire after 10, 20, or 30 years. Only specific legal action can restore these rights.

Can a felon have a gun? The direct answer is no – not without formal restoration of rights through a pardon, expungement, or other legal process.

Disorderly Conduct Is a Misdemeanor in Maine – Here’s What That Means for You

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

What Is Disorderly Conduct in Maine?

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Disorderly conduct in Maine is a criminal offense. The statute targets specific behaviors that disturb public peace or create dangerous conditions. A disorderly conduct charge means police believe your actions crossed a clear legal line.

The law lists several types of prohibited conduct. You can face charges for fighting, making unreasonable noise, blocking vehicle or pedestrian traffic, or creating a hazardous or physically offensive condition in a public place. Each behavior must be intentional or reckless – you either meant to cause the disturbance or acted with disregard for the risk.

What Is Considered Harassment by Law in Maine?

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

What Legally Counts as Harassment?

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.

Harassment under the law is repeated unwanted conduct directed at a specific person. The intent must be to alarm, annoy, or threaten that person. Harassment can include phone calls, text messages, physical following, or written threats. It must serve no legitimate purpose. The exact definition varies by state, but most jurisdictions treat harassment as criminal behavior when the conduct forms a pattern and causes genuine distress.

Maine defines harassment as a form of criminal conduct. This statute lists specific types of conduct that qualify as criminal harassment when done with the intent to harass, torment, or threaten another person. The law requires that the behavior be intentional. Accidental or incidental contact – even if unwelcome – does not meet the legal threshold.

How to Beat a Trespassing Charge in Maine: Defenses & Examples

Published on: March 30, 2026 | by Webb Law Firm

What Is Criminal Trespass in Maine?

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For criminal trespass in Maine, the state must prove that you knowingly entered or remained on property without permission. Or, it must prove that you stayed after someone told you to leave. This charge is more common than many people realize.

Maine law recognizes two levels of criminal trespass. Simple criminal trespass is a Class E misdemeanor. It applies when someone enters or remains on property that is posted, fenced, or otherwise clearly off-limits. Aggravated criminal trespass is a Class D misdemeanor. It applies when the property is a dwelling – someone’s home or living space.

How Much Jail Time For Habitual Offenders in Maine?

Published on: March 30, 2026 | by Webb Law Firm

Jail Time for Habitual Offender Charges in Maine

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In Maine, driving after being declared a habitual offender is a Class C felony. The sentence can include up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. What a judge actually imposes depends on your prior record, the facts of your case, and the judge. To know how much jail time you could face, you need to understand how Maine defines habitual offender status, what triggers it, and what happens if you drive while your license is revoked.

This guide breaks down Maine’s habitual offender laws, the penalties you face, and the steps you can take to protect your future.

What Does a Suspended Sentence Mean? A Clear Explanation

Published on: March 30, 2026 | by Webb Law Firm

What Is a Suspended Sentence?

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A suspended sentence is a jail or prison term that a judge imposes but does not require the defendant to serve immediately – or at all – as long as the defendant meets certain conditions. The judge enters a conviction and sets a specific sentence length. The judge then “suspends” execution of that sentence.

Put simply, the meaning of suspended jail sentence is that the defendant avoids incarceration as long as they comply with the court’s conditions.

What Is a Deferred Disposition? Definition, Process, and What It Means for Your Case

Published on: March 30, 2026 | by Webb Law Firm

What Is a Deferred Disposition?

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A deferred disposition is a court arrangement where the judge delays entering a conviction. The defendant must complete certain conditions – such as probation, community service, or treatment programs – during a set period. If the defendant meets every requirement, the charge may be dismissed. If not, the court enters a conviction based on the original plea.

This arrangement differs from a standard guilty plea in one key way. A guilty plea leads to an immediate conviction and sentence on the defendant’s record. A deferred disposition pauses that process. The defendant still enters a plea – usually guilty or no contest – but the judge holds off on the final outcome.