Richard S. Berne's 42 years of legal experience form the cornerstone of the criminal defense and civil litigation practice of his Portland, Maine law firm. The Law Office of Richard S. Berne is uniquely qualified to effectively represent criminal defendants in a wide range of white collar and criminal defense cases and plaintiffs in civil litigation in State and Federal Courts in Maine, Massachusetts, and New York.
No matter the setting, we effectively communicate to each client the intricate details surrounding criminal investigative and prosecution procedures, the judicial process and the choices available, and bring to bear our considerable insight and judgment in recommending the best possible resolution. First and foremost the Law Office of Richard S. Berne seeks to resolve cases without prosecution.
Alternatively, we bring our decades of experience to bear in reaching fair and reasonable resolutions often without serious felony convictions or incarceration. However, if necessary, we are well equipped to vigorously represent clients at trial in federal or state criminal courts.
No matter the setting, we effectively communicate to each client the intricate details surrounding criminal investigative and prosecution procedures, the judicial process and the choices available, and bring to bear our considerable insight and judgment in recommending the best possible resolution. First and foremost the Law Office of Richard S. Berne seeks to resolve cases without prosecution.
Alternatively, we bring our decades of experience to bear in reaching fair and reasonable resolutions often without serious felony convictions or incarceration. However, if necessary, we are well equipped to vigorously represent clients at trial in federal or state criminal courts.
Services
The Law Office of Richard S. Berne represents clients charged with an array of State and Federal crimes, from simple violations and misdemeanors to more complex felonies, including white-collar crime, drug crimes, conspiracies, and other serious criminal matters.
Mr. Berne takes a common-sense approach incorporating extensive knowledge of criminal law with direct personal advocacy on behalf of each client to advance the goal of avoiding prosecution.
If charges are brought against a client, we pursue a unique and comprehensive approach to each case, designed to achieve the best possible result, whether through alternative sentencing, dismissal, plea agreement, or trial verdict.
Mr. Berne takes a common-sense approach incorporating extensive knowledge of criminal law with direct personal advocacy on behalf of each client to advance the goal of avoiding prosecution.
If charges are brought against a client, we pursue a unique and comprehensive approach to each case, designed to achieve the best possible result, whether through alternative sentencing, dismissal, plea agreement, or trial verdict.
Richard Berne won an appeal to the FBI on behalf of a client who was not allowed to purchase a firearm based on the FBI's initial position that his juvenile felony conviction rendered him a prohibited person under the federal firearm statutory scheme.
We appealed on the ground that Maine law does not deem a criminal charge as a conviction upon a guilty plea or after trial but rather it is considered a juvenile adjudication.
The FBI initially denied our appeal but we requested a review and they reversed their decision and removed the prohibited person status.
We appealed on the ground that Maine law does not deem a criminal charge as a conviction upon a guilty plea or after trial but rather it is considered a juvenile adjudication.
The FBI initially denied our appeal but we requested a review and they reversed their decision and removed the prohibited person status.
I offer a free initial case evaluation.
After the initial case evaluation, I charge flat fees in many criminal cases.
However, in some cases where the client is under investigation and has not need charged, I take a retainer against my hourly rate.
If that client is charged, I either quote a flat fee for the prosecution that follows or continue with the hourly billing at the client's discretion.
I accept all major credit cards and checks.
As for the first step, I generally meet with or speak with the client by phone to get a sense of the case, advise the client generally about the process he or she should expect and what the potential outcomes could be.
After the initial case evaluation, I charge flat fees in many criminal cases.
However, in some cases where the client is under investigation and has not need charged, I take a retainer against my hourly rate.
If that client is charged, I either quote a flat fee for the prosecution that follows or continue with the hourly billing at the client's discretion.
I accept all major credit cards and checks.
As for the first step, I generally meet with or speak with the client by phone to get a sense of the case, advise the client generally about the process he or she should expect and what the potential outcomes could be.
Our firm would be pleased to communicate with you by e-mail.
However, if you communicate with us through this site or otherwise, your communication may not be privileged or confidential if it relates to a matter for which we do not already represent you.
If you communicate with us by e-mail regarding a matter for which our legal representation has already been established, please remember that e-mail messages are not secure and you should avoid sending sensitive or confidential e-mail messages unless they are adequately encrypted.
However, if you communicate with us through this site or otherwise, your communication may not be privileged or confidential if it relates to a matter for which we do not already represent you.
If you communicate with us by e-mail regarding a matter for which our legal representation has already been established, please remember that e-mail messages are not secure and you should avoid sending sensitive or confidential e-mail messages unless they are adequately encrypted.
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