Southern Maine Criminal Lawyer Blog

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.

Maine’s Open Bottle Law: What You Need to Know in 2026

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

What Is the Open Bottle Law?

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The open bottle law – also called the open container law – makes it illegal to possess an open alcoholic beverage inside a vehicle’s passenger area. In Maine, this law applies whether you are the driver or a passenger. It covers any public road or highway in the state. The law aims to discourage drinking while driving. It also gives officers a clear enforcement tool during traffic stops.

What is the alcohol open container law in practical terms? It means any bottle, can, or cup with a broken seal containing alcohol cannot sit within reach of anyone in the vehicle. Maine’s governing statute is open container prohibition. This statute spells out what counts as a violation and where the container must be located.

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.

What to Expect at Your Initial Court Appearance in Maine

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

What Is an Initial Court Appearance?

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An initial court appearance is the first time a person charged with a crime stands before a judge in a Maine courtroom. At this hearing, the judge confirms your identity and explains the charges you face. The judge also reviews your constitutional rights and decides whether to set bail or release conditions.

This hearing serves a critical procedural purpose. Under Maine Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 5, the court must bring a defendant before a judge promptly after arrest. If you are held in custody, this typically happens within 48 hours. If you received a summons instead of being arrested, your initial court appearance will take place on the date printed on that document.

What Does Beyond a Reasonable Doubt Mean in Criminal Cases?

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

What Does Beyond a Reasonable Doubt Mean?

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Beyond a reasonable doubt is the highest standard of proof in the American legal system. It requires the prosecution to prove every element of a criminal charge so convincingly that no reasonable person would question the defendant’s guilt. This standard applies to every criminal case in the United States – from misdemeanors to the most serious felonies.

This standard does not mean absolute certainty. Jurors do not need to eliminate every possible doubt. Instead, they must be free of any doubt that is based on reason and common sense. A vague, speculative, or imaginary doubt is not enough to prevent a conviction.