What are the penalties for an OUI in Maine?

Under Maine DUI laws, those who are driving under the influence are charged with something called OUI. You are typically guilty of Operating Under the Influence (OUI) in Maine for driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or more.   

An OUI will mean the immediate suspension of your driving privileges.  

Remember:

• A suspended license occurs based on your BAC results and a police report in most cases.
• You can be found guilty based on a BAC of 0.08% or more (determined by breath or blood testing), even in the absence of other evidence.
• Maine’s Secretary of State issues this suspension before you ever appear in court, so remember that you will not have driving privileges while you await your day in court.
• If you are under 21, and are found operating a vehicle with any alcohol in your system, you will lose your driving rights in Maine for one year.
• Refusing to take a test to determine your BAC will mean you lose your license for 18 months. 
• Refusing to have your BAC tested even when you are older than 21 will mean the state can immediately suspend your driving privileges, because Maine sees them as privileges, not guaranteed rights.
• If you have a passenger in your car and that passenger is under 21, you will face another 180 days of revoked driving rights.

As soon as you are arrested for an OUI in Maine, you need to consult with an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.