Criminal Defense Attorneys in Lewiston, ME

An OUI, drug, or assault charge in Lewiston goes through Androscoggin County court, and what you do first matters. A Maine-licensed criminal defense attorney serving Lewiston will review your case for free.

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How we match your Lewiston criminal defense case

When you submit a Lewiston 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 Lewiston

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As one of Maine's largest cities, Lewiston sees steady enforcement downtown, around Lisbon Street nightlife, and along the Turnpike and Route 196 corridors where OUI and drug-possession stops are common. Cases charged here move through the Androscoggin County courts, with most misdemeanors handled in District Court in Lewiston and felony matters proceeding in Androscoggin County Superior Court in Auburn; some conduct draws federal charges instead. Early decisions about statements, license consequences, and bail conditions often shape everything that follows. DearLegal matches you with a Maine-licensed attorney who handles criminal defense cases in Lewiston, with a free review.

Lewiston charges are prosecuted in Androscoggin County, with misdemeanors typically in District Court and felonies in Superior Court in Auburn.
Turnpike and Route 196 traffic enforcement produces a steady volume of OUI and vehicle-stop cases.
Conduct crossing state lines or involving federal agencies can be charged in federal court in Maine instead of state court.

Maine criminal defense rules at a glance

Lewiston 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 Lewiston 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

Lewiston criminal defense questions, answered

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Most misdemeanor and lower-level charges are handled in the District Court serving Lewiston, while felony cases proceed in Androscoggin County Superior Court in Auburn. Where your case lands depends on the charge, and an attorney can explain the path yours will take.

An OUI can trigger administrative license action separate from the criminal case, and those processes run on short timelines. Because the two tracks move independently, contact an attorney immediately so nothing is missed.

You are not required to answer questions, and statements made early are frequently the strongest evidence against a defendant. It is generally safer to say you want a lawyer and stop there. An attorney can then handle contact with investigators and prosecutors.

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.