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Nothing good ever comes out of driving a vehicle while under the influence, more so if you’re in the state of Maine, where violating drunk driving laws could mean facing an extended jail time, hefty fines, and a license suspension. Regardless of what vehicle you're operating and whether or not it’s in motion, officers in Maine could flag you for an operating under the influence (OUI) charge, which could reflect badly on your record and reputation.

 

Considering how stringent the state tackles cases of OUI, you will want to use every available means to have your charges dropped or get minimal penalties, especially if you know you’re in the right. Mistakes are made throughout the process, from the time the arresting officer books you to the presentation of evidence. It pays to be informed, so it’s crucial to follow these critical steps following your arrest for alleged OUI.

1. Keep Calm and Know Your Rights

No matter where you are in the country, it pays to know that you have rights that need to be respected by a law enforcer who flagged you down for possible traffic violations. If you’re driving in Maine and an officer flags you down for alleged unsafe driving maneuvers, then you may cooperate with some of their requests while keeping calm. Any indication of unease could encourage the officer to go beyond requesting your license and registration and ask whether you were driving. 

 

Bear in mind that you have the right to remain silent and you don’t have to answer any question that could incriminate you in court, nor agree to a field sobriety test. You may still get arrested, but at least you avoid unknowingly strengthening the case against you. 

2. Determine When Not to Take a Breathalyzer Test

If the arresting officer suspects you of an OUI, they are compelled to administer a blood alcohol test. test. Generally, you have the right to refuse, especially a breathalyzer test, on the grounds of having certain conditions like asthma. However, you may do so at your own risk if the officer issues a statutory implied consent warning in line with the state’s OUI laws. 

 

By accepting this warning, you are at risk of having your license suspended for up to six years in addition to having your refusal recorded as admissible evidence against you once charges are formalized. As long as the arresting officer informs you of the reason behind a breathalyzer test, then you must comply, or you may face additional violations. Whatever result comes out of that test, you are still deemed innocent under Maine law. 

3. Get an Experienced Lawyer

You may still get arrested based on probable cause, and you may have to comply with the order. After all, being arrested doesn’t mean you’re already guilty, so you might as well cooperate rather than complicate things further by resisting an officer’s duty. As always, remain calm and never resort to any desperate attempt to pin the blame on others. You still have the right not to say anything that could jeopardize your situation. 

 

At this point, the best you could do is to connect with an experienced OUI attorney who has had a proven track record in helping defendants like yourself get out of deeper legal trouble that could taint your record. They may even help reduce your penalties and appeal your conviction if they find irregularities throughout the proceedings.

4. Talk with Your Lawyer Over Plea Negotiations

You are not advised to plead guilty unless your lawyer provides qualified advice to do so. A guilty plea, especially when all the facts and evidence have yet to be established, won’t bode well for your defense, as it will lead to severe consequences if you’re unaware of the implications of doing so.

 

Talk with your lawyer throughout the proceedings and discuss possible actions you can take to determine whether pleading guilty is the most reasonable path you can take before entering into a plea.

Endnote

To be caught for OUI in Maine puts you in a difficult situation, one that becomes more complicated if you are unaware of local laws. Consider these tips so you can tackle an OUI charge with discernment.