Criminal Defense · York & Cumberland Counties, Maine
Criminal Defense Attorney · Southern Maine
A steady defense when everything is on the line.
A criminal charge puts your freedom, your record, and your livelihood at risk. Sara Shannon Law gives people across York and Cumberland Counties clear answers, honest advice, and a defense that is ready for court.
Confidential consultations · State criminal courts in York & Cumberland Counties
If You Were Just Arrested
Three things to do right now.
01
Stay calm and say little
You have the right to remain silent. Give your name, be polite, and decline to answer questions until you have spoken with a lawyer.
02
Keep your case private
Do not talk about it with friends, by text, or on social media. Calls from jail are recorded. What you say can become evidence.
03
Call a defense attorney
Bail conditions, deadlines, and your first court date all come quickly. Get advice before you make decisions you cannot undo.
Practice Areas
Defense for the charges that bring people to court in Southern Maine.
From a first-offense OUI to a serious felony, every case gets the same thing: careful attention to the facts, the law, and what matters most to you.
OUI & Driving Offenses
Operating under the influence, license suspensions, operating after suspension, and driving to endanger.
Drug Charges
Possession, furnishing, and trafficking charges, from a first offense to serious felony allegations.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence assault, criminal threatening, protection order violations, and the bail conditions that follow.
Assault & Violent Crimes
Assault, aggravated assault, criminal threatening, reckless conduct, and related charges.
Theft & Property Crimes
Theft, burglary, criminal mischief, trespass, forgery, and fraud allegations.
Juvenile Defense
Charges in juvenile court, where the right approach can protect a young person’s future.
Meet Your Attorney
Sara Shannon
When you hire Sara Shannon Law, you work with Sara. She will hear your side of the story, explain where you stand in plain English, and tell you what she would want to know in your position.
Being charged with a crime is frightening, and the court system is not built to be easy to understand. Sara’s job is to stand between you and the power of the State — to question the evidence, protect your rights, and make sure the person behind the case number is seen.
She represents clients in criminal courts throughout Southern Maine, and she prepares every case with the same care, whether it ends in a negotiated resolution or in front of a jury.
The Approach
What you can expect from your defense.
Straight answers
You will hear the truth about your case — the strengths, the risks, and the realistic outcomes — so you can make informed decisions.
Thorough preparation
Police reports are a starting point, not the whole story. Every case is investigated and prepared as if it is going to trial.
Focused on Southern Maine
A practice centered on the criminal courts of York and Cumberland Counties, and the people who live and work here.
Discretion and respect
What you share is confidential. You will be treated as a person, not a file — without judgment.
How It Works
From the first call to the last court date.
No one should have to guess what happens next in their own case. Here is how working together usually goes.
01
Confidential consultation
You talk through what happened, what you are charged with, and what worries you most. Everything you share stays confidential.
02
Review and investigation
Sara obtains and studies the State’s evidence, looks for what is missing, and identifies the legal issues — from the stop, to the search, to your statements.
03
Strategy and negotiation
You get a candid assessment of your options: motions, negotiation with the prosecutor, alternative resolutions, or trial. The decisions stay yours.
04
Resolution
Whatever path your case takes, you will be prepared for each court date and know what comes next — and what it means for your life afterward.
Where We Work
Serving York and Cumberland Counties.
Sara Shannon Law represents people charged in the state criminal courts of Southern Maine, including the York Judicial Center in Biddeford and the Cumberland County Courthouse in Portland.
Not sure which court your case is in? Your summons, bail bond, or complaint will say — or just call and ask.
York County
- Biddeford
- Saco
- Sanford
- Kennebunk
- Wells
- York
- Kittery
- Old Orchard Beach
Cumberland County
- Portland
- South Portland
- Westbrook
- Scarborough
- Gorham
- Windham
- Falmouth
- Brunswick
Common Questions
Answers to what people ask first.
Every case is different, and nothing here is legal advice about your situation. For that, get in touch.
Should I talk to the police if I have nothing to hide?
It is natural to want to explain. But once you are the focus of an investigation, anything you say can be used to build a case against you — including honest statements that come out wrong or are remembered differently later. You can be polite, give your name, and say that you would like to speak with a lawyer first. That is your right, and using it is not an admission of anything.
What happens at an arraignment?
An arraignment is usually your first court appearance. The judge tells you what you are charged with, you enter a plea, and bail conditions are set or reviewed. It is often short, but the conditions set that day can control where you live, who you can see, and whether you can drive — so it is worth getting advice before you go.
Will I lose my license after an OUI arrest?
An OUI arrest can start two separate processes: the criminal case in court, and an administrative suspension through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. They have different rules and different deadlines, and the deadline to challenge an administrative suspension is short. Getting advice quickly gives you the most options.
What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor in Maine?
Maine sorts crimes into classes, from Class A down to Class E. Class A, B, and C crimes are felony-level offenses; Class D and E crimes are misdemeanor-level. The class affects the possible sentence, and felony-level convictions carry additional long-term consequences.
It is a first offense. Do I really need a lawyer?
Even a first-offense misdemeanor can mean jail time, fines, a license suspension, and a criminal record that shows up on background checks for years. A lawyer can often find options — legal defenses, alternative resolutions, or a better outcome — that people do not know to ask for on their own.
How much will it cost?
It depends on the charge and the work your case is likely to need. Sara will explain the fee clearly at your consultation, before you decide anything, so there are no surprises.
Talk With Sara
Charged with a crime in Southern Maine? Start with a conversation.
The sooner a defense attorney is involved, the more options you usually have. Reach out today for a confidential consultation.