New President at Pine Tree Legal

Robert Lingley, 66, of Bangor has served on Pine Tree’s board since 2006 and as vice president for the past two years, according to a press release issued last month.

Pine Tree is a statewide nonprofit organization that provides free legal assistance to low-income Mainers. Founded in 1967, it is Maine’s oldest and largest legal aid provider. It has six offices around the state.

via Bangor Daily News.

By downeastlaw, ago

Flat Rate Legal Fees

I have posted a list of the legal services I offer at a flat rate instead of the usual hourly billing. This allows clients to take as much time as they need to ask questions and to discuss important issues without worrying about the clock. It also allows for the budgeting of these services which some people may skip if they think it will cost them too much.

Go to my rates page.

The list is not exhaustive of the work I will do at a flat rate, but can give a sense for what other services may cost. Feel free to contact me at ertlaw@gmail.com to discuss help you may need.

By downeastlaw, ago

Lawyer Suspended for Abusing Puppy

Seth Carey, who was suspended earlier in the year for another matter, was again sanctioned for conduct unbecoming a member of the bar.

The latest complaint lodged against Carey came from a woman who alleged he physically abused her German shepherd puppy at her home during an October visit last year. She said he was expressing his anger toward a prosecutor for the board who had been handling complaints brought by Maine lawyers and judges. Carey later refused to leave the woman’s home after being asked to. She described his behavior as “unhinged” and said she was wary about being in his presence.

via Sun Journal.

By downeastlaw, ago

First Distracted Driver Citation

KITTERY — A New Hampshire teenager has been cited under Maine’s new distracted-driving law after allegedly crashing her car into a utility pole while texting on her cell phone.

Kittery police Sgt. Charles Denault told the Portsmouth Herald that 19-year-old Jessica Jones admitted that she was texting when she crashed into the pole on Leach Road at about 1:30 p.m. Sunday, knocking out power to the neighborhood for the remainder of the afternoon.
…

via Portland Press Herald.

By downeastlaw, ago

Legal Aid Needs Not Being Met

The state’s six nonprofit legal aid providers are struggling to meet the needs of Maine’s poor and elderly, as the demand for legal services continues to rise and funding for the agencies drops.

Over a two-month period this spring, the six agencies received about 6,400 requests for legal help, ranging from assistance in foreclosure proceedings to help with child custody cases.

They were able to fully meet the needs in only 1,500 of those cases – fewer than one in four. The other 4,900 received either limited help or no help at all, according to figures released Thursday.

“Having it in black and white confronts you with the reality that the folks who come to us for help already know,” said Nan Heald, executive director of Pine Tree Legal Assistance, Maine’s largest legal aid provider.

via Portland Press Herald.

By downeastlaw, ago

Watch for Fake $100 Bills

KITTERY, Maine — Police are working with the Secret Service to determine who’s responsible for the recent use of counterfeit $100 bills spent in New Hampshire and Maine stores.

Police had turned up 19 fake $100 bills as of Wednesday afternoon and expect to get more reports.

via  WMTW Portland.

By downeastlaw, ago

More on the latest Maine laws

Bangor Daily News reviews some of the new laws now in force in Maine.

Beginning Saturday, lighting up at any “outdoor eating areas” at bars and restaurants in Maine is against the law.

But if you want to take home some of that pub’s tasty summer ale or Octoberfest brew, you’re in luck. As of Sept. 12, brewpubs can sell half-gallon jugs of beer — commonly known as “growlers” — from behind the bar.

Just don’t text message your friend about your purchase on the drive home. If you do, and a police officer notices you speeding or swerving, you could be one of the first Mainers slapped with a ticket and a fine under the state’s new “distracted driving” law.

Those are just three of the hundreds of new laws that take effect on Saturday, which is the 90th day after the Legislature adjourned.

By downeastlaw, ago

Carbon Monoxide Detectors to be Required

A new law takes effect in November 2009 that requires the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in addition to smoke detectors in certain buildings. View the specific requirements here.

The Legislature recently modernized Maine’s law that applies to smoke detectors (a law that hasn’t been updated in eleven years) and to create a new law to deal with carbon monoxide detectors. An Act to Protect Maine Residents from Home Fires and Carbon Monoxide requires all newly-constructed single family and multi-apartment dwellings constructed or sold in the state to have both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors that meet certain specifications and are installed in certain locations within those residential units.

via Public Safety.

By downeastlaw, ago