Legal fees can quickly pile up and become costly for many people. Working with the right defense attorneys and doing some simple tasks up front can help you save money. I am an attorney with the tenacity you want and a proven track record to make sure your voice is heard. I specialize in criminal defense cases and have successfully represented individuals in a wide variety of situations, from traffic violations to serious charges. Follow the guidelines below to navigate legal fees when hiring a lawyer. Choose Your Attorney Wisely Identify a lawyer you're most comfortable working with for the entire process to be smooth. A background check will help you avoid hiring a new lawyer in the middle of your case. I recognize that criminal charges can be scary and daunting. The many things that go through your mind can be overwhelming. I have vast experience to help you if you are facing criminal charges. Respond To Phone Calls Or Emails Keep communication open with your lawyer to save on costs. If your lawyer…Read More
A criminal defense attorney is a lawyer responsible for defending you and negotiating on your behalf. I'm one of Maine's top criminal defense attorneys from Ashe Law Offices, ready to help you with your defense. I offer extensive representation services to protect your legal rights. If you're looking for top criminal defense attorneys near me, contact the Ashe Law Offices. What Does A Criminal Defense Attorney Do? Criminal defense attorneys prioritize defending their clients' rights. I assist my clients in developing defense strategies that lessen the effects of being detained. I have more than a decade of experience defending clients and a consistent track record of won cases. Working with me includes personalized services since I treat every case uniquely. Here are some of the services you expect from Ashe Law Offices: Investigate Your Case A defense attorney works like an investigator. They will communicate with you about the case and look into the charges further for any opportunities for your acquittal. I take the time to review every piece of evidence connected to your…Read More
Facing criminal charges such as a traffic offense can lead to severe consequences and can turn your life upside down. If you want to control your situation, work with defense attorneys to get a favorable outcome, whether you're guilty or not. Your lawyer will ask you questions to understand your claim and discover available options. Here are questions defense attorneys will ask before handling your case: What Was The Context Of Your Life Before The Charges? Attorney Ashe will ask about your life's situation before the criminal charges. The details help us to prepare for your defense. This sheds light on what may have led to your actions. If you got DUI charges after taking specific prescription medication, this could explain why you committed an error. We consider this information a mitigating factor and use it to fight for a lenient sentence or reduced charge. What Happened At The Crime Scene? We want to know the specifics of what happened. Walk us step by step through the incident and let your story be transparent, as…Read More
Divorce is a stressful and challenging process as it impacts the involved parties physically and mentally. When you work with me, I will help you avoid costly mistakes that occur during the divorce process. If you want proper representation, you should work with the Law Office of William H. Ashe. I have extensive experience to help you in and out of the courtroom. Consider me when you are searching for the "best divorce lawyer near me." The Best Divorce Lawyer Near Me: My Experience I am an experienced attorney who has handled many divorce cases with consistency and effective representation. When you approach me, I evaluate your claim to know the possible turns and twists during the process. I understand the legal system and help you deal with unruly partners. While divorce processes have complications, I discuss with you to know the appropriate actions to take when issues occur. I Offer A Level Playing Field If your partner hires a lawyer, you should have one too. Navigating the system and achieving an optimal outcome can…Read More
If you have been arrested or have been charged for a criminal act, you may be looking for defense attorneys who will take the case. Invoke your Miranda rights and contact the Law Offices of William H. Ashe to have William Ashe represent you. What Are Miranda Rights? If you've ever watched a police or detective show on TV, you've probably heard the police recite the Miranda rights to a suspect they are arresting. These rights stem from the Fifth and Sixth Amendments that provide you with the right to remain silent when charged and arrested for a crime. You have the right to a lawyer. If you can't afford one, an attorney will be appointed to the case. These rights have been recited by police ever since a ruling by the Supreme Court in 1966 required defendants to be aware of them. Today, anyone who is arrested for a criminal charge has the right to not say anything to the police and to call on an attorney. What Happens If You Are Arrested? If…Read More
Sex offenses are one of the most difficult areas of criminal law. In Maine, sexual assaults are defined in Chapter 11 of Title 17-A of the Maine Revised Statutes. The offenses listed within Chapter 11 invariably have multiple alternative methods that the offense can be committed. For example, the offense of Gross Sexual Assault under section 253 has no less than 17 different variations all contained within the same section. The general concepts of criminal defense apply to all of these offenses but many of them contain unique elements. For instance, Gross Sexual Assault under subsection 2(K) is defined as "A person is guilty of gross sexual assault if that person engages in a sexual act with another person and the actor owns, operates or is an employee of an organization, program or residence that is operated, administered, licensed or funded by the Department of Health and Human Services and the other person, not the actor's spouse, receives services from the organization, program or residence and suffers from a mental disability that is reasonably apparent…Read More
Maine law defines the charge of terrorizing as: Terrorizing 1. A person is guilty of terrorizing if that person in fact communicates to any person a threat to commit or to cause to be committed a crime of violence dangerous to human life, against the person to whom the communication is made or another, and the natural and probable consequence of such a threat, whether or not such consequence in fact occurs, is: A. To place the person to whom the threat is communicated or the person threatened in reasonable fear that the crime will be committed. Violation of this paragraph is a Class D crime; or B. To cause evacuation of a building, place of assembly or facility of public transport or to cause the occupants of a building to be moved to or required to remain in a designated secured area. Violation of this paragraph is a Class C crime. In breaking down the statute, we see that the first component of terrorizing is that there must be a threat communicated. Terrorizing charges…Read More
In my previous post on bail I discussed the history of bail and the factors that Judges are supposed to consider. The problem with bail is that the conditions imposed are frequently not serving the underlying purpose of bail. As discussed, bail is supposed to make sure that a person on bail shows up to their Court date, doesn't break the law, doesn't interfere with Court and isn't a danger to the community. Based upon those factors alone, I would argue that bail is almost never justified on any misdemeanor case. A misdemeanor case is by definition a less serious criminal proceeding. Imposing a bail condition that restricts the Defendant's freedom or potentially keeps them in jail doesn't serve any legitimate purpose. Realistically, a $500 bail is far more likely to unnecessarily keep someone in jail than it is to ensure that they appear in Court. Similarly, a curfew of 7 pm to 6 am is far more likely to see someone arrested for a trivial violation of bail than it is to ensure the…Read More
Bail reform has been a hotly discussed subject for some time. But what is bail and why does it need reforming? In Maine, bail is defined as "the obtaining of the release of the defendant upon an undertaking that the defendant shall appear at the time and place required and that the defendant shall conform to each condition imposed in accordance with section 1026 that is designed to ensure that the defendant shall refrain from any new criminal conduct, to ensure the integrity of the judicial process and to ensure the safety of others in the community. Generally, bail becomes an issue once a person has been arrested for a crime. For the majority of crimes in Maine, a bail commissioner can set bail once someone is arrested. So who is a bail commissioner? The only statutory requirement is that he or she be a resident of Maine and be appointed by the Chief Judge of the District Court. Once someone is arrested, the bail commissioner is called and goes to the jail. The bail…Read More
Maine drug charges typically come in three varieties: possession, furnishing and trafficking. Separate issues are the type of drug and the quantity, but for this post I just want to focus on the difference between possession, furnishing and trafficking. Under Maine law, possession can either be actual or constructive. Actual possession exists where the thing is in the physical control, or immediate occupancy of the party. Courts have held that constructive possession means "the accused has `constructive possession' of a chattel where he has knowledge of its presence coupled with the ability to maintain control over it or reduce it to his physical possession, even though he does not have actual personal dominion." Maine law defines furnishing as: A. To furnish, give, dispense, administer, prescribe, deliver or otherwise transfer to another; or [PL 2021, c. 396, §2 (AMD).] To possess with the intent to do any act mentioned in paragraph A Maine law defines trafficking as: To make, create, manufacture; To grow or cultivate, except for marijuana; To sell, barter, trade, exchange or otherwise furnish…Read More
