Maine Criminal Records

Are criminal records public in Maine?

Maine has a Freedom of Access Act that makes criminal records, and all other government records public and accessible by anyone. This act was put into place in order to protect citizens and reduce government corruption on the state and federal levels.

How do I search for criminal records in Maine?

The Maine State Bureau of Information has a page on the Maine government website that provides access to criminal records. They also provide access to juvenile criminal records. After providing a first and last name, the website states that it should provide you access to the record within two hours.

What is a felony in Maine?

A felony in Maine is any crime classified as A, B, C, or murder. Classes D and E are misdemeanors. Felony sentences are served in state prison and can come with fines. Each class has varying sentences, with murder having the worst punishment of life imprisonment and Class C having a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Examples of felonies include felony theft, assault with a deadly weapon, rape, and murder.

What is a misdemeanor in Maine?

A misdemeanor in Maine is a lower-level crime that is only punished with local jail time, not state prison. Class D misdemeanors are punished up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $2000. Class E misdemeanors have half of the maximum punishment. Examples of misdemeanors include DUI, theft, trespassing, and public indecency.

Are mugshots public in Maine?

Mugshots go on most criminal records in Maine and are used to identify an offender, whether it be for an escaped fugitive or to confirm the identity of an offender. Mugshots can be found on criminal histories, arrest warrants, inmate records, and the sex offender registry.

How do I find sex offenders in Maine?

Sex offenders in Maine can be found on the Maine Sex Offender Registry. Their personal information will be posted on it, as well as a mugshot of them, the town they are located in, how long they are required to register, and their past sex offenses.

How do I search for arrest records in Maine?

Arrest records can be found in Maine through criminal history checks through the State Bureau of Information, court records, and local police departments. Police departments will have the most information on recent local arrests since they are the first stop in the criminal justice system when someone is arrested.

How do I find inmates in Maine?

Maine has a vast inmate locator tool that lets people search for inmates on almost any criteria, including hair color, eye color, location, name, id number, etc. The results will show a list of inmates that match their criteria and show their personal information, mugshots, parole status, and past convictions.

How do I find police reports in Maine?

Police reports are found on the Maine government website and contain recent local arrests, weekly crime statistics, crash and incident reports, and weekly troop reports. Police records contain information that an officer gathers when at a crime scene, such as witnesses, suspects, and evidence.

What’s inside an arrest record in Maine?

Maine arrest records contain information relating to the arrest of an individual. The location and time of the arrest are recorded, as well as the name of the arresting officer. There will be mugshots, personal information, and the supposed crimes one was charged with when arrested.

How do I find court records in Cumberland County?

You can contact any court through the Maine Judicial Branch website and inquire about retrieving a court record. Additionally, you could visit the court nearest to you in Cumberland County and inquire about retrieving criminal records at the Clerk’s office.

How far back can employers check criminal background in Maine?

There is no state law in Maine that prevents employers from seeing prior convictions on your criminal record, no matter how long ago they were committed. However, the FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) protects job applicants from employers inquiring about arrests, and applicants have the right to retrieve a copy of all criminal information that an employer gathered about them.

How do you check for arrest warrants in Maine?

The Department of Public Safety in Maine reports on recent local arrests. Certain websites online provide a list of active arrest warrants in Maine. If you want to inquire about arrest warrants, your best bet is to contact the local police department or sheriff.

How do I find someone’s probation status in Maine?

Using the Maine inmate database, you can find if an inmate is incarcerated or on probation. It will show their probation officer and their earliest release date from custody. Probation is when an inmate does not have to serve their sentence in prison or jail but can be in the community with certain restrictions.

Is DUI a felony in Maine?

A DUI or OUI is a felony in Maine if there it caused serious injury or death in the incident. Additionally, if the DUI was a repeat offense, then it could be sentenced as a felony, which will be increased fines and/or jail time. If you have been charged with a DUI, consulting with an attorney will give you the best chance of getting a reduced sentence or a non-guilty verdict.

Are juvenile criminal records sealed in Maine?

In general, a juvenile criminal record in Maine will be sealed unless it was a violent or felony conviction. You can petition to seal the criminal record three years after the crime to the court and try and get the judge to close your record.

Can I get rid of my criminal record in Maine?

There are very few ways to get rid of your criminal record in Maine. Unlike other states, there is no expungement law, which lets you erase a conviction. Juveniles can get their record sealed after a certain amount of time. If you were charged with a crime but not convicted, then the arrest will become confidential after one year.

How do I get my record expunged in Maine?

There is no way to fully expunge a record in Maine. The next closest thing is by getting it pardoned by the governor, which will make it seem like you never committed a crime. You have to wait five years before applying for a pardon to the governor.

What is Megan’s Law in Maine?

Megan’s Law in Maine is a law that requires sex offenders to disclose their location and past sex offenses to the public. If you were convicted of a sex crime, you must update the registry for either ten years or for life, depending on the nature of the sex offense.