The laws and regulations in Maine for Operating After Suspension (OAS) come to light if you operate your car or motor vehicle while your driver’s license was suspended. A Maine criminal charge of Operating After Suspension (OAS) means that the State is accusing you of operating your car or motor vehicle while your driver’s license was under suspension either by the Court or by the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).  In other words, simply you were caught driving when your license was on record as being suspended, thus you have been charged with OAS in Maine.  Bare in mind that the Maine statute refers to operating a vehicle, if you have any questions on whether you were “operating” a “vehicle” or not, please feel free to ask us.

Your driver’s license could be under suspension for a number of reasons, including but not limited to:

•  Administrative suspension related to a drunk driving criminal charge (operating under the influence/ OUI).
• Too Many Demerit Points on your Driving Record.
• Failure To Pay Traffic tickets or other Fines.
• Failure to Pay Child Support.
• Failure to Appear at Court When Commanded to Appear.

Charged with OAS in Maine

Charged with an OAS in Maine

If you have been charged with OAS in Maine, the last thing you want to do is to plead guilty hastily in order to “get it over with quickly.”  This is because when driving-related criminal convictions pile up, it means big trouble for you.  If you do not address the underlying reason why your license went under suspension and get your license reinstated, each time you get pulled over you can be charged with another OAS.

If you get three (3) serious motor vehicle-related convictions, including OAS in Maine, over a five (5)-year period, the State will designate you as a Habitual Offender (HO).  A habitual offender’s Maine driver’s license is revoked.  After you go habitual offender, there are almost no opportunities for relief.  Therefore, it is far easier, and far more beneficial for you to fight an OAS charge in Maine criminal court when the charge is pending.

In my Maine criminal defense practice, I routinely handle OAS in Maine cases.  I have a proven track record of success in assuring the best possible outcomes for clients.  If you or someone you know is facing OAS charges in Maine, I encourage you to contact The Nielsen Group for your free legal consultation with an experienced Maine criminal defense lawyer.