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There are many different types of drug crimes under Maine and federal law.  Depending on the seriousness of the charge,  an individual  may be prosecuted by the state or by the federal government.  Typically if you are charged federally, you will be facing more severe potential penalties. Before we review potential penalties, it is important to know the different types of drug crimes. Drug… Read more »

When people hear about white collar crimes, they think of crimes committed by wealthy people who are hoping to unlawfully line their pockets. Most people think about embezzlement and tax evasion, but  there are many different types of white collar crimes. So, what are some common white collar crimes? They include: Fraud. Fraud is a general term… Read more »

People are confronted with various life-changing events on a daily basis, such as a cancer diagnosis, suffering devastating injury in a car accident or the like or suffering from the loss of a loved one. These tragedies dramatically alter our perspective, and often leave us devastated requiring  months to heal.  At the Law Office of Richard S. Berne, we realize that being charged with a serious crime can also devastate defendants… Read more »

If you were in Jared Kushner’s shoes right now, you might find yourself suddenly in need of a good white-collar criminal defense lawyer. I say this because Forbes and other sources reported in early November that Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, could face federal charges related to security clearance documents and federal income tax filings. It remains… Read more »

When considering a defense lawyer in Portland, Maine, remember that the lawyer you hire will be representing you both in and out of court and that you will be relying on him or her to achieve the best possible outcome in your case. It’s important to think long and hard about that lawyer’s qualifications and experience and to determine whether that lawyer is… Read more »

Imagine receiving a few speeding tickets, but never having your license revoked. Then one day you receive one more and lose your license for 3 years. If you have had multiple convictions for violations of motor vehicle laws in Maine, be wary. Maine has an habitual offender law that is strict with serious consequences for Maine drivers. An… Read more »

The State of Maine has an array of laws that criminalize fraudulent conduct, such as credit card fraud and bank fraud. Although these may be the most common fraud-related crimes that comes to mind, fraud actually is a large umbrella that covers many different criminal acts. In fact, fraud is the most prevalent white collar crime…. Read more »

Those accused of grand larceny in Portland, Maine are likely confused and concerned. You have multiple options when charged with a crime, which include negotiating a plea agreement or contesting the charges at trial.  The decision as to how to proceed is important so we have set forth below certain information you need to know. What is Grand… Read more »

In Maine, sentencing for drug charges depends on the type of drug (Schedule W, X, Y, or Z), the amount possessed, and the activity involved (e.g., trafficking, manufacturing, etc.). Other factors, like criminal history, play into sentencing as well. These other factors may be “aggravating factors,” which elevate the level of the crime and require judges to impose a… Read more »

Unless you know someone or you’ve been through the criminal process yourself, you may find yourself lost. This is understandable, given the multiple hearing dates, notices, and foreign terminology. This article seeks to help you through Maine’s criminal process by laying it out step-by-step, from arrest to sentencing. Arrest Officers have authority to arrest a suspect for a crime upon finding probable cause… Read more »