If you are under the age of 21 and you have been arrested for operating under the influence (OUI) in Maine, or you are the parent of a minor charged drunk driving, you probably have a lot of questions.
As an OUI attorney for over 15 years, I have helped many people in your position, and over the years, I have found that the laws for underage OUI are intimidating and not always easy to understand.
The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced that two Massachusetts construction companies must pay nearly $2.4 million in back wages and overtime wages to 478 employees in Massachusetts, Maine and Connecticut. Read more about this overtime wage lawsuit here.
You might be thinking – 478 employees with $2.4 million in owed wages — How can this happen? Unfortunately, it happens more often that you might think.Read More
School is out for summer, which inevitably results in the increase of minors (those under the age of 21) getting into trouble with the law for alcohol related offenses. Chances are, if you or your child has just received a police summons for underage drinking, whether it be possession, or furnishing (providing alcohol to a minor), this experience may be your first involvement with law enforcement and the District Attorney’s office. Underage drinking and underage possession laws should be treated seriously – convictions are part of a lifelong public record, so it is wise to have peace of mind and be fully informed of your rights before you make any decisions.
If a minor is under 18, possession or underage drinking charges will be prosecuted as a juvenile criminal charge. If the minor is between the ages of 18 and 21, then underage possession or underage drinking charges will be prosecuted in a public court of law as an adult civil charge, unless there is other associated criminal conduct such as an Underage OUI. Any convictions in the adult court will become part of the minor’s public record that can last a lifetime. Read More
Summer has arrived in Maine and many of us hope to get as much boating time as possible, whether it be fishing before dawn or a sunset cruise with good friends. The water invites a freedom of the spirit that removes us from the daily grind. It can be an intoxicating feeling. However, that freedom should not fool boaters into a false belief that the laws on the land do not apply.Read More
I was at a barbeque recently and the conversation turned to Fourth of July fireworks. Knowing they were in the company of a personal injury attorney, someone asked if they should be worried about liability if they host a party with fireworks.
The warm weather is finally here and families across Vacationland are opening up their summer camps! Time spent at a camp with siblings and cousins can create wonderful family memories. When parents or grandparents who first own the camp are still alive, the rules are clear. But all too often after the parents pass, adult siblings who do not get along find themselves the joint owners of property. Establishing and following the rules about how costs are shared, who gets to spend Fourth of July weekend at camp, and whether to rent it out or even sell it for income can be divisive and pit sibling against sibling, cousin against cousin.
When parents plan ahead, thoughtful foresight can reduce the conflicts posed by the passing of family camps and cottages on to the next generation. Working with a real estate lawyer, parents can decide on the best mechanism of ownership and can establish the necessary joint tenancies, limited liability companies or family trusts suitable to facilitate cooperative use of family real estate. Read More
At long last, the summer season is upon us! For many of us, this means holiday road trips, backyard barbecues and cold adult beverages with friends as we collectively enjoy the arrival of warmer weather and good times.
That said, a word to the wise. For several reasons, personal injury attorneys usually see a sharp uptick in personal injury claims during the summer.
Personal injury attorney Tom Douglas explains why you should focus on getting the treatment you need after an accident or injury, and why you should avoid signing anything from an insurance company until you’ve talked with a personal injury lawyer.
Today was Opening Day for Westbrook Little League – Congratulations to the kids, families, and volunteers who make up this great community organization! Douglas McDaniel Campo & Schools is honored to sponsor a team this year, in addition to having a sign in the outfield for a second year at the Westbrook Little League Complex. As sponsors, we got to participate in the Opening Day parade and join our team on field. It was fun to see the excitement, smiles, and high fives up close as the boys and girls get ready for their 2016 season. Westbrook Little League is possible because of committed volunteers, coaches and dozens of local businesses who team together to make this formative experience possible for the kids in our community. Read More
Errors in criminal records can and do occur. Unfortunately, most people are not aware of errors on their reports until a potential employer finds the incorrect information when running a standard background record search.
For this reason, the attorneys of Douglas McDaniel Campo & Schools recommend that everyone who has been involved with the criminal justice system review their criminal record one year after their final case disposition (when their case ends.) You can request a copy of your public criminal record, also known as an “SBI” from the Maine State Bureau of Identification for a small fee.