WHAT THE WORDS MEAN

Also called excessive alcohol level suspension

The suspension the Secretary of State imposes on a driver found to have operated at 0.08 grams or more, separate from any court case.

Physical pain, physical illness or any impairment of physical condition.

Also called civil fine

An offense punished by a fine rather than as a crime, such as using drug paraphernalia, with a $300 fine, or consuming cannabis in public, with a fine of up to $100.

Also called felony, misdemeanor, crime class

The sentencing class of a crime in Maine's code, from Class A, with up to 30 years, to Class E, with up to 6 months.

Also called permitless carry, constitutional carry

Carrying a concealed handgun without a permit, allowed for a person 21 or older not otherwise barred from having a firearm, and for service members and veterans 18 or older.

Two or more acts, by any action, device or means, such as following, monitoring, tracking, threatening or communicating, that make up stalking.

Also called domestic assault

An assault on a family or household member or a dating partner, a Class D crime, and a Class C crime with a prior domestic violence conviction.

Also called reckless driving

Driving a motor vehicle anywhere with criminal negligence in a way that endangers any person or another's property. It is a Class E crime with a license suspension and a fine of at least $575.

The duty of a person carrying a concealed handgun without a Maine permit to tell an officer immediately, on first contact, during any arrest, detention or traffic stop.

Also called home, residence

A structure adapted for people to stay overnight, whether or not anyone is there, but not a garage or shed used only for storage.

Also called paid time off, PTO

Paid leave an employee of an employer with more than 10 employees earns at one hour for every 40 worked, up to 40 hours a year.

A surviving spouse's right to take an amount equal to 50% of the marital property portion of the augmented estate, whatever the will says.

Also called closed session

A closed part of a public meeting, called only by a public, recorded vote of 3/5 of the members present and voting, on a motion naming the business and the law that allows it.

Property a creditor with a judgment cannot take, such as a residence up to the stated amount, one vehicle, household goods and cash up to $3,000, each amount adjusted yearly.

Also called exclusive remedy, workers comp bar

The protection an employer that carries workers' compensation has from lawsuits over an employee's work injuries, extended to its supervisors, officers and directors.

Also called FED, eviction case

The court case a landlord brings to remove a tenant, served like any civil case with the court's form notice, ending in a writ of possession if the landlord wins.

Also called FOAA, public records law

Maine's public records law: anyone may inspect or copy a public record, the agency acknowledges a request within 5 working days, and the first 2 hours of staff time are free.

Also called alimony

Spousal support for a spouse with substantially less income potential, presumed unavailable when the marriage lasted less than 10 years at filing.

Also called hands free, phone mount

Using a phone or handheld device without either hand, through an internal feature or an attachment, allowed for drivers 18 or older who are not on a permit or intermediate license.

Also called handwritten will

A will whose signature and material portions are in the testator's own handwriting, valid whether or not witnessed.

Also called interlock device, breathalyzer in the car

An approved device in the vehicle a person drives that lets the Secretary of State reinstate a license before an OUI suspension ends, for the time left on the suspension.

Also called self help eviction, lockout

Removing a tenant without the court process, including cutting utilities, changing locks or holding the tenant's property. It brings actual damages or $250, whichever is greater, or costs and fees.

Also called breath test, chemical test

The duty of a person the police have probable cause to believe operated under the influence to submit to and complete a test of blood, breath or urine.

Conduct an officer's own senses give personal knowledge of, enough for a prudent officer to believe a Class D or Class E crime is happening or just happened, which allows a warrantless arrest for those classes.

Also called wiretap, eavesdropping

Hearing or recording a call or conversation with a device by anyone other than the sender or receiver, someone in normal hearing range, or a person given prior authority by a party.

Also called new driver restrictions, teen license limits

The first 270 days of a license held by a driver under 18, with no passengers outside the immediate family unless a qualifying adult is along, no driving between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m., and no handheld device.

Also called provisional license, zero tolerance

A license issued to someone under 21, provisional for 2 years from issue or until the holder turns 21, whichever comes last, with the condition of no alcohol at all while driving.

Also called double damages

The additional amount, equal to twice the unpaid wages, added to a judgment for unpaid wages along with interest, costs and a reasonable attorney's fee.

A person the law requires to report suspected child abuse or neglect immediately, such as a physician, teacher or caregiver, acting in that role.

Property either spouse acquired during the marriage, whoever holds title, apart from gifts, inheritances and the other exclusions the law lists.

For unemployment, a culpable breach of duties to the employer or a pattern of irresponsible behavior that shows disregard for a material interest of the employer.

The deterioration that comes from ordinary use without negligence, carelessness, accident or abuse, which a deposit may not be kept to pay for.

Also called operating under the influence, drunk driving, DUI

Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants, or with an alcohol level of 0.08 grams or more. A first offense is a Class D crime.

Also called custody, parenting time

Maine's term for custody, awarded shared, allocated or sole by the best interest of the child.

Also called released on recognizance, unsecured bond

Release before trial on a promise to appear, the starting point for a crime bailable as of right unless it would not reasonably ensure appearance, no new crime and safety.

Also called no trespassing paint, purple paint

Land marked with signs, or with paint marks of a vertical line at least one inch wide and 8 inches long, meaning access is prohibited without the landowner's permission.

The rule that an eviction filed within 6 months after a tenant asserted certain rights or complained is presumed retaliatory, and no writ issues unless the landlord rebuts it.

A place where a person may reasonably expect to be safe from surveillance, such as a changing room or a bathroom.

Also called good samaritan

A person who in good faith calls for help in a suspected drug overdose, anyone giving aid there, and the person overdosing, all immune from arrest and prosecution for what the response turns up.

Also called PFA, restraining order

A court order against abuse by a family or household member, dating partner or relative, or against stalking or sexual crimes by anyone, for a fixed period of up to 2 years.

Also called tow truck, wrecker, utility truck

A vehicle helping with disabled vehicles, clearing debris, collecting trash or working on utility lines. When one is stopped with its lights on, passing drivers move to a lane not next to it if possible, or slow down.

Also called reasonable suspicion

The suspicion an officer needs that a violation has taken or is taking place before stopping a motor vehicle.

Also called crash report

A crash on a public way, or where public traffic is expected, that causes injury or death or apparent property damage of $2,000 or more, reported immediately to the police.

Also called schedule W, controlled substance

A drug on one of Maine's schedules W, X, Y and Z. The schedule, and for some drugs the amount, sets the class of a possession charge.

Also called expungement, record sealing

A court order making criminal history record information about an eligible conviction confidential, so criminal justice agencies do not give it out to the public.

Injury that creates a substantial risk of death, or causes serious permanent disfigurement, loss or substantial impairment of a bodily member or organ, or extended convalescence.

A claim for a debt or damage of no more than $10,000, not counting interest and costs, heard in a simple, informal District Court procedure.

Also called lemon law arbitration

The informal dispute procedure the Attorney General's office runs for complaints that a new vehicle is defective enough for relief under the lemon law.

Also called deadline to sue

The time within which a lawsuit has to be filed: 6 years after the claim accrues for most civil actions in Maine.

A crime proved by the act alone, without showing the person meant to or knew. Driving unlicensed and OUI are both strict liability crimes.

Also called uniform summons and complaint, criminal summons

A written order to appear in court an officer may hand out instead of making an arrest, on the Uniform Summons and Complaint, which the person signs as a promise to appear.

Also called next of kin decision maker

A family member, in an order the law sets starting with the spouse, who makes health care decisions for a patient who lacks capacity and has no agent or guardian.

Also called month to month

A rental with no fixed term, ended by at least 30 days' written notice from either side, or 7 days for the causes the law lists.

The part of a service employee's minimum wage an employer may cover with tips, up to 50% of the minimum, when the employee was told in advance and wages and tips together reach the minimum.

Also called ticket, civil traffic violation

A traffic violation that is not a crime. The penalty is a fine of $25 to $500 unless another section says otherwise, a license suspension, or both.

Also called UTPA, consumer protection law

The law making unfair or deceptive acts in trade unlawful, with a suit for consumers who lost money or property, after a written demand 30 days ahead.

Also called fit for human habitation

The landlord's promise, in every rental agreement written or spoken, that the unit is fit for human habitation.

The court's order, issued seven calendar days after judgment, that a sheriff or constable serves to remove the tenant.