DWI or DUI Court Referral Programs in Maine

If you have been pulled over and arrested for a drinking and driving offense in Maine there are a few things that you can do to help stay out of jail and hopefully, avoid a life-changing DUI conviction. Depending on the type of charges you have, you may be required to complete a DWI or DUI Court Referral Program in Maine.  The state of Maine Treatment and Recovery Courts (TRC) are specialty dockets for eligible persons whose legal issues with the criminal justice system have been fueled by a serious substance use disorder (SUD). People who complete the program will receive a successful completion sentence in their plea agreement. Anyone who is expelled or withdraws from the program early will receive the unsuccessful outcome sentence in their plea agreement.

A DUI or DWI conviction in Maine should not be taken lightly. It can have serious life-altering consequences far-reaching into many areas of your life. We have helped thousands of people over the years avoid significant jail time, fines, and license revocation periods. Getting help for underlying alcohol addiction will help the courts determine if you are taking full responsibility for driving under the influence and breaking the law. Call us today and let us help you with your drinking and driving arrest and help you find an alcohol recovery program. Addiction No More ® can not give legal advice however if you are looking for rehabilitation for addiction we can help you find treatment in your area or anywhere in the country. Give us a call today and we can help. 

1-800-513-5423

What to do if you have been arrested for drinking and driving

Drinking and driving in Maine can be a serious offense and the consequences can have life-changing outcomes. If you have been pulled over, make sure that you know your rights and remain courteous at all times. Being compliant and courteous can affect the outcome of the court’s layout as punishment.

Driving under the influence: Driving under the influence (DUI) Driving while intoxicated (DWI) and operating a motor vehicle under the influence (OUI). These are the common terms used to describe operating a motorized vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In Maine, driving while intoxicated is considered a misdemeanor and is subject to the state’s laws regarding driving while drunk.

DWI/DUI diversion rehabs in Maine are very familiar with the court-mandated treatment requirements that the courts have imposed for their court-ordered alcohol rehab centers. Some court-ordered DUI deferment programs will include alcohol evaluations and at the very least, alcohol and drug classes for first-time offenders. This can cost anywhere from $1000-2500 with fines, not including lawyer fees and bail.

If this is your second offense, getting involved in a treatment program for alcohol abuse will not only help your ongoing DWI-DUI case but benefit you as well. You should always enter into an alcohol treatment program knowing that there is a need for a change before something worse happens. Driving and Drinking can cost you your life or even worse someone else life.

Treatment programs in Maine for criminal justice clients will work with the court system to handle all the requirements for treatment to be considered time served. Once all the financial consequences are paid by the defendant and community service completed if any Maine district courts may terminate the probation period. Driving under the influence can damage many people’s lives other than yourself. Getting treatment for your alcohol dependency can help you understand that the risks of drinking and driving heavily outweigh the rewards. Sometimes, all it takes is to talk to someone who has had the burden of having someone die due to their alcohol consumption and driving under the influence. Our counselors are ready to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

1-800-513-5423

DUI First-Offender and Diversion Programs

A first-offense OUI with no aggravating circumstances carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 150 days of license suspension and a $500 fine. After 30 days of no license, your license can be reinstated as long as you put an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) on any vehicle you drive for 120 days.

The laws are different in each state for DWI offenses that allow for deferment programs instead of jail time. Some states, depending on the circumstances, will mandate treatment and community service. Some of these mandates can be handled while in treatment for alcohol abuse. Maine has a deferment program for first-time DWI offenders as long as there are no injuries, accidents, or drugs involved. If you have been arrested for your second DWI/DUI in Maine, it is highly recommended that you give us a call to find out your options for a deferment program instead of jail time. This will help with the possible consequences that the courts may impose on you. Drinking and driving can have serious outcomes including vehicular homicide, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and other very serious charges. When a minor is involved, there are more serious outcomes that the courts in Maine can impose on the offender. If there has been an accident or death due to drinking and driving there will be significant jail time imposed as well as the knowledge that your indulgence cost someone their life.

Consequences of driving drunk in Maine

Maine has specific drinking and driving laws and penalties for people who have been convicted of a DUI/DWI. There are minimum and maximum fines and penalties that are at the discretion of the judge and prosecuting attorney depending on many different factors and circumstances surrounding the case.

First Offense: A first DUI conviction in Maine is considered a Class D crime with a possible sentence to jail for up to one year and the courts will impose a fine of $500 up to $2,000. First-time DWI conviction in Maine and your license will be revoked for 150 days. BAC over .15, having a passenger under 21 when arrested for drinking and driving will result in harsher penalties.

Second Offense: 2nd DUI conviction within 10 years of the previous conviction in Maine and you will be subjected to the following penalties that the county courts are mandated by law to administer. Fines for a 2nd OUI in Maine (Class D Crime) can be as little as $700 up to $2,000 not including other costs including an alcohol program. For a second OUI, the courts are mandated to give 7 days in jail to the defendant and have the option to mandate incarceration for up to one year.

Third Offense: 3rd time drinking and driving offenses (DUI) is considered a Class C crime and punishable by up to 5 years in prison with a minimum of 30 days incarceration in county jail. The fines for a 3rd OUI can range in cost from $1,100 up to $5,100, not including the mandated treatment program costs. Driving privileges are revoked for 4 years.

Find Deferred Prosecution Rehabs Near Me

We can help you locate treatment for addiction in your area or anywhere in the country. To locate AA meetings, group meetings, 12-step programs, inpatient treatment, or outpatient services in your town give us a call. There are many options for drug rehab services in many cities in Maine.

Auburn, Maine Alcohol Abuse Rehabs
Bangor Maine Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Lewiston, ME. Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation
Portland, Maine Substance Abuse and Alcohol Treatment
Sanford, Me. 30/90-Day Treatment Centers
South Portland, Maine Inpatient Alcoholism Rehab Programs

Treatment for alcoholism in place of jail time in Maine is a very common outcome for those seeking help to end their addictions. If you have an open DWI case in Maine, call us and we can help you locate a deferment program in your county that works with DUI and DWI offenders. We can help you find the best rehab center for alcohol misuse today. Addiction No More ® is an Addiction Treatment Center locator service. For immediate service, please call one of our counselors 24/7.

Sources

Adult Treatment and Recovery Courts
Co-Occurring Disorders Court
Maine Pretrial
OUI Laws Maine


Erik Epp – Content Author