Facing a criminal charge in Maine

Bond and pretrial release in Maine

Article I Section 10 of the Maine Constitution provides that all prisoners shall be bailable by sufficient sureties except for capital offenses when proof is evident or presumption great. 15 M.R.S. Sec. 1003 through 1099 govern bail. 15 M.R.S. Sec. 1026 directs the court to consider the least restrictive condition that will reasonably assure appearance and integrity of the judicial process; forms include personal recognizance, unsecured appearance bond, secured appearance bond (cash or surety), and conditional release. The Maine Judicial Branch's bail commissioners may set bail post-arrest under 15 M.R.S. Sec. 1023. A defendant may move for amendment at any time under 15 M.R.S. Sec. 1028. Maine published the Uniform Crime Bail Schedule via Administrative Order.

Bond amounts, conditions, and timelines vary by county and judge. Confirm with counsel or the court.

Criminal defense attorneys serving Maine

Our directory is still building in Maine. Public-defender intake is available now.

Record clearing in Maine

Maine does not have a broad general expungement statute. Limited relief is available under 15 M.R.S. 2161-A (sealing of certain Class E criminal convictions) and 16 M.R.S. 708 (confidentiality of intelligence and investigative records). The statute provides sealing of a single Class E conviction after a four-year waiting period from completion of sentence; sex offenses, offenses against family or household members, and any Class A through D conviction are excluded. The motion is filed in the court of conviction.

Eligibility, waiting periods, and the petition vs. automatic pathway depend on the conviction class and the date of the offense. Confirm with counsel or the court record.

Public defender intake in Maine

Maine Commission on Public Defense Services serves STATEWIDE County. Public defenders are appointed by the court based on financial eligibility. We do not refer you to a specific public defender and we do not represent you.

Public defenders are appointed by the court based on financial eligibility. LawSensai does not refer you to a public defender and does not represent you. This packet is a courtesy summary you can share with your public defender or their intake staff. You remain responsible for applying to the court for appointed counsel.