Top best Criminal Defense Lawyers Near me in ZIP 04330

Walter McKee formed McKee Law in 2012. Mr. McKee’s work focuses on litigation.. Mr. McKee's criminal defense practice ranges from traffic offenses to murder. He has been involved in countless high-profile criminal cases in Maine over the past 25 years and is a veteran of over 200 fully contested civil and criminal jury trials. Mr. McKee's practice is statewide and also includes representation of criminal defendants in federal criminal matters in Maine's federal district courts as well as the First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston. As one Federal judge put it, Mr. McKee's defense of the accused is nothing less than "outstanding" and rises "above and beyond the call of duty.". Mr. McKee's personal injury practice focuses on automobile accident cases but also includes premises liability and general negligence matters. He has handled numerous, significant automobile collision cases and has obtained substantial settlements and verdicts in a variety of negligence cases. In his first ten years of practice alone he successfully settled or received trial verdicts in excess of $10,000,000. He served for six years on the Board of Governors of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association and is a strong advocate for corporate responsibility in Maine.. But that's not all he does. Mr. McKee also maintains an active general litigation practice that runs the gamut from litigation of real estate cases and business matters to probate and construction to name but a few. There's virtually no matter that he has not fought and litigated over. He also represents professionals before dozens of State of Maine licensing boards.. Mr. McKee is recognized around the state as one of Maine’s premier attorneys. He is a "New England Super Lawyer," is listed in Best Lawyers in America, and is AV rated in Martindale-Hubbell. In 2015 he was inducted into the prestigious American College of Trial addition to his work with clients, Mr. McKee served as president of the Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL) from 2006-2008 and continues to work as chair of MACDL's Legislative Committee and as its Treasurer. In this capacity he testifies regularly before the Maine Legislature on criminal legislation, and his advocacy in this arena has been called "polished" and the work of someone who "doesn't break." For his work on behalf of MACDL Mr. McKee received MACDL's highest award, the President's Award, in 2011. Mr. McKee’s work to ensure fairness for people accused of crimes was also recognized in 2012 when he received the prestigious Louis Scolnik Award from the ACLU of Maine.. Mr. McKee also served for five years as the Chair of the state's Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices. At his confirmation hearing he was described as someone who was one of the state's "most talented and skilled attorneys" who was "respected by judges and his colleagues" for being someone "absolutely by the book" and "a straight shooter." In 2007 Mr. McKee was asked to serve on the selection committee for the first Federal Defender in Maine. In 2009 he was tapped to serve on a similar committee to make recommendations to Congress and the President for the appointment of the United States Attorney for Maine. Since 2019 he has served on the Governor’s Judicial Nominations Advisory Committee.. Mr. McKee lives in Hallowell with his wife, Kristin Aiello. Kristin is Managing Attorney at the non-profit Disability Rights Maine where she is actively engaged in the representation of persons discriminated against because of their disabilities. A former Commissioner on the Maine Human Rights Commission, Kristin was appointed in 2018 by the Supreme Judicial Court to serve on the Executive Committee of the Stakeholder Working Group for Civil Justice Reform for Maine’s Courts. She also serves on the United States District Court, District of Maine, Local Rules Committee.. Mr. McKee is an avid runner, skier, mountaineer and violinist; was a private pilot for many years; and served for eight years as a JAG officer with the Maine Army National Guard. For 15 years he also co-hosted the weekly local cable television show "It's the Law!” The show reached over 1,000,000 people throughout Maine.. Mr. McKee is also active in community affairs having served for many years as the middle / distance event coach for the Hall-Dale Middle and High School track teams, as a soccer coach with the Hall-Dale Youth Soccer program, and as the president of the Pineland Suzuki School (PSS). PSS is a non-profit local music school that his children attended that teaches violin and cello using the world-renowned Suzuki method.. Mr. McKee does not sleep.. Admitted: 1993, South Carolina; 1994, Maine and U.S. District Court, District of Maine; 1995, U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit; 1999, U.S. Supreme Court. Education: University of Maine School of Law, J.D., 1993; University of Maine, B.A., summa cum laude, 1989. Member: Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Member, Board of Directors, 1995-1998; 2003-present; President 2006-2008); Kennebec County Bar Association (President, 2006-2008); National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Maine Trial Lawyers Association (Member, Board of Governors, 2006-2012); American Association for Justice.. Military: Captain, J.A.G. Corps, Maine Army National Guard, 1996 – 2004. Reported Cases: Hebert v. International Paper Co., 638 A.2d 1161 (Me. 1994); U.S. v. Lagasse, 87 F.3d 18 (1st Cir. 1996); State v. Nelson, 714 A.2d 832 (Me. 1998); Legasse v. Bangor Publishing Co., 741 A.2d 442 (Me. 1999); Gafner v. Down East Community Hospital, 735 A.2d 969 (Me. 1999); U.S. v. Destefano, 201 F.3d 429 (1st Cir. 1999); U.S. v. Meader, 195 F.3d 66 (1st Cir. 1999); Newbury v. Virgin, 802 A.2d 413 (Me. 2002); U.S. v. Hartsock, 253 F. 24 (Me. 2003); Evans v. Willingham, 413 F. 155, 159-60 (D.); Muther et al. v. Flaherty et al., 2011 ME 32, 2011 ME 33, 2011 ME 34, 2013 ME 39; Tucker v. Lilley / Troubh Heisler v. Lilley, 2015 ME 36; State v. Knight, 2016 ME 123; State v. Hanscom, 2016 ME 184; Avis Rent A Car Systems v. Burrill, 2018 ME 81; Greene v. New England Suzuke Institute, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 104772.. Speaker / Presenter / Faculty: Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Annual Seminar, Criminal Legislative and Case Law Changes, 2006 – present; Maine State Bar Association Legal Year in Review, Criminal Legislative Changes, 2005 – present; Maine Trial Lawyers Association Litigation Institute, 2008; Maine Trial Lawyers Association Evidence Series, 2007; Maine Trial Lawyers Association, College of Trial Advocacy, 2011, 2016, 2019; Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services Training Seminar, 2011; Maine Licensed Private Investigators Association, Annual Seminar, 2011.

Stephen Smith is a veteran in the Maine Court system. He has been a trial lawyer for more than 23 years with a statewide practice in criminal defense, family law, personal injury and estate planning. He founded Smith Law Offices in 2000 in Bangor, Maine, and since then he has represented thousands of clients statewide. With well over 100 serious state and federal jury trials and countless bench trials under his belt, Steve fully enjoys being in the fray. Admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the First Circuit Court of Appeals and federal and state courts, Stephen has also been a longtime member of the Bar of the Penobscot and Passamaquoddy Tribal Courts and once acted as the Penobscot Tribe’s child protective attorney general.. Stephen brings a businesslike approach to his litigation practice. While always willing to listen to reason, his aggressive court room practice and willingness to go to trial account for his many legal victories and favorable results. Stephen assists clients in divorce and custody cases, homicides, sex crimes, domestic violence, abuse and drug-related charges. Early in his career, Steve took a special interest in sex crime defense and has developed significant expertise and experience in all manner of sexual assault and child molestation cases. Steve’s expertise in sex crime defense has resulted in his being a lecturer at trainings for other lawyers on the subject.. Steve practices extensively in federal courts. His federal practice includes matters such as heavy-duty drug trafficking and child pornography cases. Steve was lead counsel for the defense in only the second federal prosecution in the United States for the importation of whale tusks of the rare Narwhal whale.. As a father of four children, Steve understands the issues confronting the families of today and he practices family law from the perspective that children need to be sheltered from the conflict inherent in divorce and separation. Child custody fights bring out the worst in some parents and if a reasonable approach won’t bring the offending parent around, Stephen is well skilled and experienced in “going to the mat.” As a business owner and developer of real estate and restaurants, Steve understands small business opportunities but also how spouses can abuse self-employment status.. His non-legal background includes a military career in the U.S. Army. After beginning as an infantryman in the 3rd Ranger Battalion he served as a machine gunner in Desert Storm. After leaving active service, he joined the Maine Army National Guard where he served as a sniper team leader in the Mountain Infantry. Following his infantry service as an NCO, Steve became one of the first direct commissioned officers in the Guard, beginning his career as an officer as an engineer platoon leader. Shortly after graduating law school, he was direct commissioned as a Judge Advocate General officer. Following the attacks of 9/11, Steve was asked to serve in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan as a military prosecutor. Steve’s deployment lasted 18 months and upon his return he saw his 3rd child for the first time. Steve retired from the army after 21 years of service. His legal expertise and long association with the military has made him an expert resource for other attorneys in issues pertaining to military divorces and pensions.. Steve has played a significant role in the revitalization of downtown Bangor; he started the New Year’s Ball Drop in the downtown area, rehabilitated three historical commercial buildings in a once blighted area and developed two successful restaurants. He runs a diversified family farm with his wife, three sons and daughter.. Areas of practice: Criminal defense, personal injury, family law, sex crime defense. Education: B.S. in International Relations, University of Maine; University of Kharkov in Kharkov, Ukraine; J.D., University of Maine School of Law. Member: Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Maine State Bar Association; National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Knights of Columbus. Reported Cases:. Lowd v. Dimoulos, 2005 ME 19, 866 A.2d 867 (Me. 2005). State v. Mann, 2005 ME 25, 868 A.2d 183 (Me. 2005). In re Sarah C., 2040 ME 152, 864 A.2d 162 (Me. 2004). State v. Millay, 2004 ME 152, 787 A.2d 129 (Me. 2001). State v. Griffin, 814 A.2d 1003 (Me. 2003). State v. Connelly, Pen-CR-98-274. Monahan v. Monahan, 2015 ME 65. State v. Cote, 2015 ME 78. USA v. Hawkins, 279 F.3d 83 (1st Cir. 2002). USA v. Gamache, 14-1546,  ____ F.3d ____ (1st Cir. 2015)

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Augusta and surrounding areas.