Criminal Defense Attorneys in Augusta, ME

Charges from an Augusta arrest are prosecuted in Kennebec County, and how you respond early can shape the outcome. A Maine-licensed criminal defense attorney will review your case at no charge.

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How we match your Augusta criminal defense case

When you submit a Augusta criminal defense matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A criminal defense matter needs someone who handles criminal defense work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under Maine law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Maine who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

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Criminal Defense cases in Augusta

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Augusta is the seat of Kennebec County and the state capital, so it hosts a heavy court and law-enforcement presence, with Augusta police, the county sheriff, and State Police all bringing cases here. Charges range from OUI stops on Western Avenue and the I-95 corridor to theft, drug, assault, and domestic-violence allegations. Misdemeanors and initial appearances are handled in the District Court sitting in Augusta, while felony-level cases proceed in Kennebec County Superior Court, and some conduct draws federal charges instead. DearLegal matches you with a Maine-licensed attorney who handles criminal defense cases in Augusta, with a free review.

Augusta cases are prosecuted by the Kennebec County District Attorney's Office, with misdemeanors in the District Court sitting in Augusta and serious felonies in Kennebec County Superior Court.
OUI and drug enforcement along I-95 and Route 202 generates a steady volume of traffic-stop cases, where the legality of the stop is often the central issue.
Some matters, including certain drug, firearm, and fraud allegations, are charged in Maine's federal court rather than state court.

Maine criminal defense rules at a glance

Augusta cases run under Maine law. The full walkthrough — timeline, when to call, case types, and what a recovery can include — is on the Maine page.

Read the full Maine criminal defense guide →

Felony Statute of Limitations: No limit
No limit for murder; 6 years for most felonies; 3 years for misdemeanors (17-A M.R.S. § 8)
Misdemeanor Statute of Limitations: 3 years
3 years for misdemeanors generally (17-A M.R.S. § 8)
Sentencing Structure: Class A-E
Class A-E grading under 17-A M.R.S. § 1604; murder separate (§ 1251); no parole — determinate sentences; mandatory minimums for OUI, firearm offenses
Expungement / Record Sealing: No statute
No general expungement statute. Limited sealing of Class E misdemeanors after 4 years under 15 M.R.S. § 2261; juvenile records under 15 M.R.S. § 3308; pardons by Governor
Bail / Pretrial Release: Bail
Bail under 15 M.R.S. § 1023 et seq.; constitutional right to bail with exceptions for capital and life-eligible offenses (Me. Const. Art. I, § 10)
Typical attorney fee: Hourly
Hourly / Flat Fee

Exhibit D

How much do Augusta criminal defense attorneys cost?

Typical fee schedule

Maine · Criminal Defense

Fee modelHourly / Flat Fee

Feequoted per petition or matter

Filing costsitemized upfront

Case reviewFree

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Criminal Defense matters in Maine are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.

Criminal defense attorneys in Maine work on hourly or flat-fee retainers — contingency fees are prohibited in criminal cases under Maine Rules of Prof. Conduct 1.5(d) and ABA Model Rule 1.5(d). Misdemeanors and most felonies are flat-fee; complex cases use hourly billing. The Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services oversees indigent defense — Maine recently moved toward establishing a state public defender system.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

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Exhibit F

Augusta criminal defense questions, answered

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Misdemeanors and first appearances are generally handled in the District Court sitting in Augusta, while felony-level charges move to Kennebec County Superior Court. Certain federal allegations bypass state court entirely. An attorney can tell you which track your charge follows and what to expect at the next date.

An OUI case usually turns on whether the stop was lawful, how field testing was conducted, and how any breath or blood sample was handled. There are also license consequences that move on a separate administrative track from the criminal case. An attorney can address both at once and challenge the weak points.

Generally no. You can decline to answer questions and ask for a lawyer, and doing so cannot be used against you as evidence of guilt. Statements made early, even well-intentioned ones, tend to be the hardest part of a case to undo later. Speak with a Maine attorney first.

No. Politely decline and ask for an attorney. Maine State Police, county sheriffs, and city police (Portland, Bangor) use trained interrogation. Anything you say is admissible. Invoke your Fifth Amendment right to silence and Sixth Amendment right to counsel under Miranda.

Yes. Maine Class D misdemeanors carry up to 364 days in jail and $2,000 fines under 17-A M.R.S. § 1704. Filing/Deferred Disposition under 17-A M.R.S. § 1902 can result in dismissal upon successful completion of conditions. DV and OUI convictions trigger major collateral consequences.