“Steve is no-nonsense with a lot of experience who tells you like it is and does not waste time or your money.” John H.
Homicide, which refers to the act of killing a person whether unintentionally or intentionally, has severe legal ramifications. If you were accused of homicide, contact our attorneys immediately to begin building your defense.
Sexual crimes include any unlawful sex acts, from sexual assault to distributing child pornography. A convicted offender will be impacted for the rest of their life due to the significant penalties involved, even if the allegations are cleared. Defend your innocence with a skilled attorney.
Domestic violence is a term that is widely used to characterize marital abuse, which can include physical, verbal, and emotional abuse. Even false accusations can have lasting impacts on the defendant’s life, so seek immediate legal intervention.
Possessing, cultivating and trafficking controlled substances in Maine fall under drug crimes. The class of penalties varies depending on the kind of substance, but all involve jail time and fines. Depending on your circumstances, legal solutions are available.
When you’re charged with an OUI or driving offense, your livelihood is at stake, and you will be prohibited from driving until your case is resolved. The most serious charges include jail time, so review your case with an attorney right away.
It is illegal to smuggle, traffic and poach exotic animals in Maine. Keeping federally-protected animals as pets can result in significant charges, so if you face a criminal accusation, act quickly with STEVE SMITH Trial Lawyers.
Let us take the stress out of your legal process. Our team is here to help you.
We will review your charges, the evidence against you, provide you with a legal opinion and develop a step-by-step plan for the best outcome.
Our goal is to avoid a criminal record or worse, jail. We start by negotiating with the prosecutor by finding the problems with the investigation, having you take personal steps, and obtaining a background of your good character.
If the charges will not be withdrawn or resolved favorably to you then we will exhaustively and meticulously prepare against the witnesses and prepare you fully for trial. Our lawyers have extensive trial experience and will use all tools available to us to provide you with a skillful/vigorous/compelling and effective defense.
If a fair settlement cannot be reached, the next step is to go to trial. Our dedicated legal team will prepare and present your case before the court, advocating for your best interests every step of the way. We will guide you through the trial process, ensuring that your voice is heard and that every effort is made to achieve the outcome you deserve for your family’s future.
Our client was a 16-year-old boy accused by his 16-year-old girlfriend of gross sexual assault. Although the authorities had not expressed an interest, she, through her mother, brought a protection order in state court apparently in an effort by the parents to sue the parents of our client civilly. Testimony showed that the encounter between them was entirely consensual and contrary to her sworn statement was not the first time that these two kids had engaged in sexual activity. The case against our client was dismissed.
Our client was accused in a protection order case of stalking a woman for no apparent reason. The sworn affidavit of the Plaintiff made disturbing allegations that our client was following her, pounding on her door, screaming at her for no apparent reason. Steve Smith, through cross-examination, was able to show that the Plaintiff left out of her story that our client was accompanying her adult son and that the Plaintiff was attempting to deny her child’s father his rightfully court-ordered contact. Her credibility was thus impeached, and the case was dismissed.
Because of his expertise in sex crime defense and statewide practice, Steve Smith was asked to defend a client who was accused of gross sexual assault in Machias. Although the Defendant was a repeat offender with a prior conviction for child pornography, Steve took the case to the day of jury selection. After learning that certain key witnesses of the State were having previously undisclosed problems, Steve struck a favorable plea bargain which allowed the Defendant to be released within a few months.
Defendant was charged with 40 counts of sexual assault against two minors which took place over 30 years ago. Of note was that one of the victims was a convicted murderer. After over a year of litigating the case and demonstrating the weaknesses of the case to the prosecution, Steve was able to obtain a result in which the client served no jail time and was able to return to his home state subject only to probation.
On September 11, 2018, Steve argued before the Law Court in the case of State v. AJ. Steve tried AJ’s case in 2017 and although AJ was charged with both gross sexual assault and unlawful sexual contact, after a 3-day long jury trial, AJ was acquitted of the most serious charges. However, the jury found him guilty of simple assault and unlawful sexual contact. Steve appealed the case to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court and argued that the admission of a sexual assault kit, otherwise known as a SANE Kit, generated by the hospital was a report generated for police purposes, as opposed to medical purposes. This is a case of first impression in Maine, the Law Court has taken the matter under advisement.
When law enforcement receives a tip about suspicious activities, an investigation begins. Typically, investigations entail acquiring evidence, obtaining a search warrant, or questioning witnesses. You may be requested to produce blood or urine samples if you are suspected of driving under the influence.
When police think they have enough evidence to make an arrest, they can either ask a judge for an arrest warrant or just take the subject into custody. Only if there is probable cause, as established by the evidence acquired throughout the inquiry, may an arrest or a request for an arrest warrant be made.
After being arrested, the defendant must appear in front of a judge for their first hearing, also known as an arraignment. At this point, the defendant becomes aware of the allegations and enters a plea in response.
Your lawyer shares information with the other side’s counsel during the pre-trial, or discovery, period. We talk about the evidence and information we’ll use in the trial. A pretrial motion may be submitted in some circumstances, which might result in the dismissal of certain charges or the exclusion of certain evidence from the trial.
If your case is not settled successfully at plea bargaining, it will be tried. The presiding judge and the jury will decide who is the guilty party. To defend you, your lawyer will rely on evidence.
All criminal defendants have the right to a jury trial under the law.
If you plead guilty or are found guilty of any of the charges, the court will choose an appropriate sentence based on your criminal history, the seriousness of the offense, and other criteria. Sentences vary depending on where you live, therefore our attorneys will keep you up to date on Maine’s specific laws.
Even if found guilty, the defendant has the right to appeal to a higher court. The defendant might allege that specific parts of the trial influenced the case’s result during an appeal. If the appellate court agrees with the defendant, the conviction may be overturned or a fresh trial requested.
When you’ve been charged with a crime, stress and fear overwhelm your daily life. You know you need help, but you’re not sure where to find it. It’s time to contact a trusted Maine criminal defense attorney.
The experienced and qualified lawyers at STEVE SMITH Trial Attorneys can take away the fear and stress you feel after you’ve been charged with a crime. How can we do that? By mounting a strong legal defense against the charges you’re facing.
Whether you are facing a traffic ticket or your charge is a misdemeanor, felony, first offense, or the latest in a long list, the attorneys at STEVE SMITH Trial Lawyers have successfully handled a similar case. The effects of a conviction, which can range from strain in the home and at work to years in prison, can follow you for a lifetime. Don’t let a conviction happen to you.
A committed, knowledgeable criminal lawyer at our firm can protect your rights, ease your mind, and help you beat your charges. To find out more, give us a call or fill out our online contact form.
I’m so thankful for the service that Steve Smith Trial Lawyers provided me. Jack advised me on a number of issues both personal and professional.…
Fantastic team at Steve Smith Trial Lawyers!!
Have faithfully stood by my side through the roughest part of my life.
Outstanding Experience! This law firm delivered top-notch service with exceptional professionalism. Their expertise was evident in every interaction, providing clear guidance and promptness. Highly recommend…
Steve Smith has handled multiple cases for me from divorce and custody to real estate transactions. Always professional and compassionate. The office staff is wonderful…
We know that what you really want is an attorney who will help you beat your charges. We also know how to make that happen. We routinely represent clients facing a broad range of charges, from traffic offenses (CDL drivers) to drug crimes and felonies to misdemeanors.
Not necessarily. Working with an attorney before you are charged may help protect your rights and could help you avoid being charged. Once a crime has occurred, police have a limited amount of time to investigate and file charges, known as the statute of limitations, which varies based on the charge.
A person who is charged with a crime and being held in police custody may be required to pay a fee, known as bail, in order to be released. If the person charged, or defendant, cannot afford to pay bail, they may be able to use a bonding service, or bondsman, to help pay the bail on their behalf, using a bond. Bonds are usually secured, sometimes with a home or car.
For misdemeanor charges, the arraignment is the date for you to appear in court and enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. Your attorney can often send a letter entering a plea on your behalf and you will not need to appear in court.
For felony charges, you must be indicted before the case can proceed to arraignment. If you are arraigned, you and your attorney will likely need to appear in court to enter a plea.
For many charges, yes. Your defense attorney may be able to use the circumstances of your arrest, the evidence available, witness testimony, or other means to have the charges against you dropped or negotiate an acceptable plea agreement without going to trial. However, if a trial is necessary to clear your name, our attorneys will not shy away from a tough fight.
There are plenty of criminal defense attorneys in Maine, so what makes STEVE SMITH Trial Lawyers different? It’s all in our name.
We put a premium on trust. That means we will work hard to build a real relationship with you, and we’ll never treat you like you’re just another case to us. Your case—and your life—matter to you, so they matter to us, too.
When you team up with us, we’ll get to work finding evidence, building a bulletproof defense, and identifying a solution for you. And we’ll keep you informed every step of the way. A lot goes into building a defense against a criminal charge, and we know you don’t have the time, energy, or expertise to do what the best STEVE SMITH Trial Lawyers do.
With us, you won’t have to worry about all that. Give us your story, and we’ll take it from there.
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Attorney Advertising. This information is designed for general information only. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Past results and testimonials are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your case, and should not be construed as such. Past results cannot guarantee future performance. Any result in a single case is not meant to create an expectation of similar results in future matters because each case involves many different factors, therefore, results will differ on a case-by-case basis. By providing contact information, users acknowledge and give explicit consent to be contacted via the methods of communication provided, including SMS. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. Reply STOP to opt out.
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