Best Criminal Lawyer in Maine
Luke S. Rioux
Criminal Lawyer
I defend clients facing all Misdemeanor and Felony criminal charges from Disorderly Conduct to Homicide. I practice at the Trial and Appellate Level in State and Federal Court throughout Cumberland, York and Androscoggin Counties. I have won not guilty verdicts at Jury trials throughout Southern Maine and have argued appeals before the State Supreme Court.
Even when I am not in court or at work, I am still thinking and writing about Criminal Law. I write a blog on this site and I also write the Harmless Error Blog now for the Portland Press Herald website home to my commentary on legal issues and lawyering. These sites are a constant work in progress and are updated frequently, often several times a week. If you do not find information on a particular issue, please contact me to discuss the case or to suggest a topic for future articles.
When I am not working, I am probably spending time with my wife and children, cycling or rock climbing, though rarely all at the same time.
Hunter J. Tzovarras
Criminal Lawyer
Hunter J. Tzovarras is a criminal defense and OUI defense lawyer located in Bangor, Maine. His practice focuses on OUI DUI DWI defense and serious felonies throughout eastern and northern Maine. Hunter has obtained dismissals and not guilty verdicts for people accused of OUI DUI DWI, homicide, manslaughter, drug charges, sexual assault, domestic violence, and other serious felony and misdemeanor charges.
Hunter served as the President of the Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and is an active member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyer and National College for DUI Defense. He has been selected as a top-rated Maine criminal defense and DUI defense lawyer by Super Lawyers. He represents Maine people, and its visitors, throughout the greater Bangor area courts.
WILLIAM T. BLY
Criminal Lawyer
William T. Bly is a 2000 graduate of Rutgers University where he majored in Political Science with a minor in U.S. History. He then went on to attend and graduate in 2004 from the University of Maine – School of Law. During his time in law school, Mr. Bly focused on criminal defense. He worked at the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office in Portland, Maine as an intern prosecutor. This experience allowed him to gain insight of the “ins and outs” of criminal prosecution in Maine. Upon graduation from law school, Attorney Bly formed his own law firm. Through his education and work, attorney Bly has developed a strong foundation in criminal law. With the limited exception of a brief period of time representing the State of Maine as an intern (student) prosecutor, Attorney Bly is proud to say that he has spent his entire legal career representing the citizen accused.
Mr. Bly’s practice is devoted nearly exclusively to criminal defense. He has successfully defended persons charged with crimes in both federal and state court on a myriad of charges including manslaughter, aggravated felony assault, simple assault, criminal threatening with a deadly weapon, reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, domestic violence assault, possession of drugs, trafficking in drugs, conspiracy to traffic in drugs, drunk driving, OUI, DUI, DWI, aggravated DWI, DWI involving serious accidents with bodily injury, high breath test DWI cases, DWI cases where a blood draw was performed and driving under the influence of drugs.
Tim Zerillo
Criminal Lawyer
Tim Zerillo is a civil and criminal litigator. Attorney Zerillo’s practice focuses primarily on criminal defense and complex civil litigation. Renowned for his zealous advocacy, Zerillo has won numerous trials of all types, as well as motion hearings, settlements and criminal dismissals for his clients. One client described Tim as follows:
“He operates at the highest level of professionalism, but doesn’t hesitate to rip his opponents to shreds when warranted.”
Tim has a love for Maine, and that is why he has made the state his home. Despite practicing law in a small state, he has gained a national reputation. He has given talks to other lawyers across the country on a variety of topics, including lectures for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Association of Federal Defense Attorneys.
With a strong focus on the constitutional rights of his clients, Tim pushes back when there is government overreach. He is particularly interested in the intersection between digital searches and the Fourth Amendment. He frequently brings suppression motions for clients in federal and state courts seeking the suppression of evidence for constitutional violations attendant to digital searches, along with other unreasonable search and seizure.
Tim is the only lawyer practicing in Maine to ever be elected to the prestigious American Board of Criminal Lawyers. The ABCL “was founded in June 1978 by San Francisco attorney Nathan Cohn, who conceived the idea of an exclusive national, legal, honorary society for outstanding criminal trial lawyers, with admission to fellowship by invitation only.” The standards for acceptance to the ABCL include success in major felony trials and exceptional recommendations from distinguished judges attesting to the candidate’s high ethics and litigation skills in criminal defense.
John S. Webb
Criminal Lawyer
Southern Maine OUI attorney John S. Webb has extensive experience with OUI operating under the influence OUI criminal charges and DUI cases in Maine over the last 20 years. He has received many awards and accolades for his success in the DUI defense field for both alcohol and drugs charges, and John is widely considered one of the best lawyers in Maine for criminal defense.
John Webb handles drug possession cases from his law firm office in Saco and a second law office in Portland, and he is very familiar with Maine criminal law. John regularly appears in every courtroom criminal justice system in southern Maine, including federal district court.
Call Maine OUI lawyer John Scott Webb at Webb Law Firm anytime day or night. John and his DUI attorney legal team answer the phone on weekends and holidays, and represent clients in southern Maine. Your search for the best criminal defense attorney in Maine should definitely include Webb Law Firm, with 20 years courtroom experience handling various criminal cases.
Matthew D. Bowe
Criminal Lawyer
After interning at the York County (Maine) DA’s office while in law school, Mr. Bowe began his own solo practice in 2006. From 2006-10, Mr. Bowe took state and federal criminal appointments and child protection appointments in Maine. He’s represented criminal defendants throughout Maine in jury trials, and clients that have been found not guilty by Maine juries in sex offense, domestic violence and driving cases.
EDUCATION
University of Maine School of Law, J.D., 2005
Boston College, M.A., 2005
Bowdoin College, A.B., 1999
MR. BOWE IS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS:
MACDL (Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers)
National Advocacy for DUI Defense
National College of DUI Attorneys
Maine Bar Association
Cumberland County Law Library
WILL ASHE
Criminal Lawyer
William Ashe is an experienced trial attorney with a career track record of determined effective representation and consistent sustained success on behalf of his clients.
He is widely regarded as one of Maine’s best criminal defense attorneys and has achieved nearly unparalleled success across the State on all ranges of criminal charges. Ashe was named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. Ashe was also recently named to the Top 10 Under 40 in Criminal Defense by the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys. The only Ellsworth area attorney so honored. Ashe is rated a perfect 10.0 by the legal rating firm Avvo.
Ashe grew up in nearby Surry and attended high school locally at George Stevens Academy. Ashe graduated Cum Laude from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. After college, Ashe attended the University of Maine school of Law in Portland. At law school, Ashe was on the Student Bar Association, and the Moot Court Team where he successfully argued in the Trilateral Moot Court Competition in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Ashe also served as a Student Attorney at the Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic. At the time of his graduation, Ashe had acted as counsel in over 100 cases and had personally won more contested hearings than any other student attorney in the Clinic’s history. Ashe graduated Cum Laude from Law School in 2009 and was licensed as an attorney later that year.
Ashe practiced at a law firm in Southern Maine from 2010-2017 representing thousands of individuals on charges as serious as Murder down to traffic infractions while also maintaining a boutique family law practice. During the eight years he practiced in southern Maine, Ashe tried and won more criminal jury trials than any other defense attorney in York County during the same period.
Allen E Lobbozo
Criminal Lawyer
I came to the law after being a newspaperman. That career taught me to ask questions and to write under pressure, both skills that I’ve been able to apply to the law. I’ve also been fortunate to live in several other countries, which gives me perspective, another tool that helps me better represent my clients. If Spanish or French are your first languages, I can navigate through a conversation in either. My father was from Auburn, graduated from Edward Little High School, and UMO (as did I), which gives me local roots. However, my mother was from Scotland and I was born there
I know what it feels like to be both local and “from away”. Both these feelings inform my law practice. Finally, I am married with five (5) children. I understand the pressures, and rewards, of relationship and family. I’ve been doing this work for more than thirty (30) years. If you reach out, I’ll be happy to give you my first impressions of your case.
Navigate the Complexities of Maine’s Legal Landscape: Why You Need a Top-Tier Criminal Lawyer
Facing criminal charges in Maine can be a frightening and disorienting experience. The legal system can seem shrouded in mystery, leaving you unsure of your rights and options. Here’s why securing the best criminal lawyer in Maine is crucial for protecting your freedom and achieving the best possible outcome:
1. Unparalleled Knowledge of Maine’s Criminal Law:
Criminal law varies significantly across states, and Maine has its own unique set of statutes, court rulings, and procedures. A top-tier criminal lawyer licensed in Maine possesses an unparalleled understanding of these nuances, allowing them to:
- Navigate the Legal Labyrinth: They can meticulously analyze your case within the framework of Maine’s criminal code, interpreting key court decisions that may influence the prosecution’s strategy and your potential defenses.
- Stay Abreast of Legal Developments: The legal landscape is constantly evolving. Your lawyer actively monitors changes in Maine criminal law, ensuring your defense strategy reflects the most up-to-date legal principles and leverages any recent rulings that could benefit your case.
- Identify Location-Specific Issues: Maine may have specific laws or procedures regarding certain offenses. Your lawyer’s deep understanding of the state’s legal landscape allows them to identify any potential location-specific issues that could impact your case.
2. A Beacon of Experience in Diverse Criminal Defense:
Criminal cases encompass a wide range of offenses. The best criminal lawyers in Maine specialize in defending clients facing a variety of charges, including:
- Violent Crimes: Assault, homicide, domestic violence
- Property Crimes: Theft, robbery, burglary, vandalism
- Drug Crimes: Possession, distribution, manufacturing
- DUI/DWI: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- White-Collar Crimes: Embezzlement, fraud, money laundering
- Traffic Offenses: Driving violations, license suspensions
This extensive experience allows them to tailor their defense strategy to the specific details and complexities of your case, drawing upon their knowledge of past cases and successful defense strategies used within the Maine legal system.
3. A Guardian of Your Constitutional Rights in Maine:
The foundation of the criminal justice process lies in your fundamental rights. Top-tier criminal lawyers in Maine are dedicated to safeguarding these rights throughout your legal journey:
- Understanding Your Rights in Maine: They ensure you fully comprehend your right to remain silent, the right to an attorney, and other crucial legal protections under Maine law.
- Ensuring Due Process: Your lawyer meticulously reviews all legal procedures to guarantee you receive fair treatment under the law, adhering to the established principles of due process within the Maine judicial system. (https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/public-health-systems/lho/training/Law/Law-2a.html)
- Challenging Unlawful Searches and Seizures: If your rights were violated during a search or seizure, your lawyer can fight to suppress any illegally obtained evidence that could be used against you in court.
4. Unveiling the Truth Through Meticulous Investigation:
Building a strong defense starts with a comprehensive understanding of the facts. The best criminal lawyers conduct a thorough investigation into your case, specifically tailored to the laws and procedures of Maine:
- Analyzing Police Reports and Witness Statements: They meticulously scrutinize police reports and witness statements to identify any inconsistencies, weaknesses, or potential defenses that could cast doubt on the prosecution’s case.
- Securing Exculpatory Evidence: Your lawyer actively searches for any evidence within the legal framework of Maine that may support your innocence or mitigate the charges against you. This may include witness alibis, physical evidence, or overlooked details in the police report.
- Consulting with Experts: When necessary, they may collaborate with experts like forensic investigators, ballistics analysts, or mental health professionals familiar with Maine legal standards, to strengthen your case and provide expert testimony that could be crucial to your defense.
5. The Art of Negotiation and Plea Bargaining in Maine:
In many cases, reaching a favorable plea agreement can be a viable option. Top-tier criminal lawyers possess exceptional negotiation skills and can use their understanding of Maine law to advocate for you effectively:
- Understanding Plea Bargain Options in Maine: They explain all available plea bargain options specific to Maine’s legal system and guide you through the decision-making process, considering potential consequences and long-term impacts on your life.
- Negotiating Reduced Charges or Sentences: Your lawyer leverages their negotiation expertise to strive.