Category Archives: Legal Rights

Getting Your License Back after HO

Posted on May 3, 2013 by NCA

A Habitual Offender (HO) in Maine is someone who has had his or her driver’s license revoked as a result of three (3) serious motor vehicle convictions within a five (5) year period.  Generally, the license revocation period is for … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal Rights, License Suspensions & Revocations | Comments Off

Reasonable Doubt – Not Guilty on 0.21% BAC OUI

Posted on April 20, 2013 by NCA

The standard of evidence in criminal cases is the well-known “beyond a reasonable doubt”.  This means that the State’s attorney must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the person accused in fact did the crime charged.  If the fact finder … Continue reading →

Posted in Drinking and Driving, Felonies, Legal Rights, Misdemeanors | Comments Off

Prescriptions & Standardized Field Sobriety Tests

Posted on February 21, 2013 by NCA

In determining whether a driver may be impaired by alcohol and/or drugs, a law enforcement officer may ask the driver to step out of the car to perform some Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs).  These tests are voluntary.  This means … Continue reading →

Posted in Drinking and Driving, Legal Rights | Comments Off

Criminal Charges Where You Can Lose Your Guns

Posted on February 20, 2013 by NCA

There is a continuing national discussion about Americans’ Second Amendment right to own and possess firearms or guns.  At the same time, there are criminal charges in the State of Maine where a person can become prohibited from ever possessing … Continue reading →

Posted in Felonies, Legal Rights, Misdemeanors | Comments Off

Innocent Until Proven Guilty

Posted on February 19, 2013 by NCA

In the criminal justice system, there is a presumption of innocence until you are proven guilty.  In other words, the State must prove “beyond a reasonable doubt” that you in fact committed the crime accused.  However, at your first Court … Continue reading →

Posted in Felonies, Legal Rights, Misdemeanors | Comments Off

Real Costs of Not Fighting Criminal Charges

Posted on February 18, 2013 by NCA

When you are facing criminal charges in Maine, depending on what you have been charged with, whether a felony or a misdemeanor, the State may seek jail time.  At the same time, for some less severe crimes, the State may … Continue reading →

Posted in Felonies, Legal Rights, Misdemeanors | Comments Off

Why are the Criminal Charges Different at Court?

Posted on February 16, 2013 by NCA

This does not happen in every case, but sometimes the charges against you are different when you go to Court for Arraignment than the charges the law enforcement officer told you to expect.  How can this occur? If you are … Continue reading →

Posted in Felonies, Legal Rights, Misdemeanors | Comments Off

Avoid Talking Your Way Out of Trouble

Posted on February 6, 2013 by NCA

Perhaps as reaction people have when they get into trouble, they fail to exercise their right to remain silent.  Instead they try to “talk their way” out of criminal trouble with law enforcement.  Not only does this not work with … Continue reading →

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PFA Can Affect Seeing Your Kids

Posted on August 18, 2012 by NCA

A PFA matter is a civil proceeding in Maine to address domestic abuse against current or former dating partners, spouses, and/or other household members.  Household members include any minor children.  Even when the PFA Complaint does not allege abuse against … Continue reading →

Posted in Domestic Violence, Family Law, Legal Rights | Comments Off

React Quickly To a PFA

Posted on July 29, 2012 by NCA

In Maine, a Protection from Abuse (PFA) matter is a civil proceeding designed to address complaints of domestic abuse.  The process is initiated by a Plaintiff, who files a Complaint for Protection From Abuse against the Defendant, who is accused … Continue reading →

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