Maine Drunk Driving Laws

Given the number of motorists who are injured and killed in alcohol-related auto accidents each year, it’s easy to see why drinking and driving don’t mix. Indeed, it takes just one impaired driver to jeopardize the safety of countless other motorists—so it’s no surprise that state lawmakers are constantly looking for ways to prevent these drivers from getting behind the wheel. From passing strict blood alcohol content (BAC) limits to imposing harsh sentencing guidelines, DUI laws grow tougher and tougher with each passing year. Like most states, Maine drunk driving laws specify a number of behaviors that constitute DUI, as well as dictate the penalties a driver will face if convicted of the offense.

A metric used to judge intoxication, BAC expresses the percentage of alcohol found in a person’s bloodstream. From a legal perspective, any driver who has a BAC of 0.08% or more is considered impaired. However, this limit only applies to drivers who are legally allowed to use alcohol.

Under Maine’s “Zero Tolerance Law,” a driver under 21 can be arrested and charged with DUI if there is even a trace of alcohol in his or her system (meaning a BAC above 0.00% warrants an arrest).

Drivers who operate a commercial vehicle—such as a tractor trailer or bus, for example—are also subjected to lower blood alcohol content guidelines. For these individuals, driving with a BAC of 0.04% or higher is sufficient reason for them to be arrested for DUI.

The only way to determine a person’s BAC is by administering a chemical test. A common tool used by law enforcement officers, chemical tests calculate BAC based on the amount of alcohol found in a sample of the driver’s breath, blood, or urine. In Maine, you are legally required to submit to chemical testing upon an officer’s request—and refusing will actually lead to more severe penalties than failing.

If you are convicted of driving under the influence in Maine, you can expect little leniency in the courtroom. Under state law, even a first-time offender faces up to $500 in fines, a 90-day license suspension, and a 30-day jail sentence. For a second conviction, the penalties go up to $1,000 in fines, a 3-year license suspension, and 60 days in jail. In addition, you may be required to have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle—which means you will have to pass a breath test before your car will start.

After two subsequent DUI convictions, any additional charges filed against you will be classified as felony offenses, which carry a minimum $1,000 fine, 6-year license suspension, and 9-month jail sentence. As a convicted felon, you will also lose many personal freedoms, including your right to vote, purchase a firearm, and obtain a passport—and these restrictions are permanent.

Fortunately, an arrest is not the same as a conviction—and there are many defenses that can be used to prevent that from happening. To determine the right strategy for your case, submit your information online today and receive a free, no-obligation consultation with a skilled DUI defense attorney in your area.