The Only ABCL Member in Maine. A Hung Jury on a Case Prosecutors Called Unwinnable.
A child molestation accusation sets off a chain of events that moves fast. Investigators begin building their case immediately, and the social and professional consequences of the accusation itself can be severe before any charge is filed. At Zerillo Law Firm, we defend people facing these charges throughout Portland, Cumberland County, and across Maine. Tim Zerillo is the only lawyer in Maine elected to the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, an invitation-only national organization for the country’s top criminal trial attorneys. That distinction isn’t self-declared; it requires nomination and a vote from existing members. When the charge is this serious, who you hire from the start matters.
We have secured a hung jury in a Class A Gross Sexual Assault case that prosecutors stated was impossible to defend. That result didn’t happen by accident. It came from exhaustive preparation, careful challenge of the prosecution’s evidence, and a willingness to take a case to trial when that was the right path.
Maine doesn’t have a single statute called “child molestation.” Conduct described by that term is prosecuted under Title 17-A Chapter 11, with the specific charge determined by the alleged contact, the ages of the parties, and the relationship between them.
Gross Sexual Assault under §253 involving a child under 14 is a Class A crime carrying up to 30 years in prison. Sexual Abuse of Minors under §254 covers conduct with persons aged 14 or 15 and is charged as a Class C, D, or E crime depending on the age gap between the parties and their relationship. Unlawful Sexual Contact under §255-A and additional statutes covering visual sexual aggression and sexual misconduct with a child under 14 may also be charged depending on the specific conduct alleged.
Maine’s age of consent is 16. A close-in-age exemption under §254 applies when the younger party is 14 or 15 and the other person is fewer than five years older. Maine has no criminal statute of limitations for most child sex crimes, meaning charges can be filed years or decades after the alleged conduct.
Consequences That Extend Beyond a Prison Sentence
A conviction for a child sex offense in Maine typically carries registration on the Maine Sex Offender Registry under Title 34-A, for a minimum of 10 years and potentially for life depending on the offense. Registration isn’t a formality. It can restrict where a person is permitted to live and work, and it follows them long after any prison term ends.
A felony conviction also creates a permanent record that affects professional licensing, employment background checks, and housing. These consequences reach into every corner of a person’s life, which is why a defense strategy has to account for far more than what happens inside the courtroom.
How We Defend Child Molestation Charges
Defense of these charges requires detailed investigation that begins well before trial. We examine how the initial accusation was made and whether the child was interviewed in a way that may have shaped their account. False accusations in child sex cases can arise from custody disputes, peer pressure, misidentification, or coaching by adults, and those origins can be uncovered through careful investigation.
Evidence Review & Expert Support
Medical and forensic evidence is reviewed independently rather than accepted at face value. We work with medical professionals and investigators when a case requires support, and we scrutinize digital evidence and forensic reports with the same attention we bring to cross-examination planning. Constitutional issues matter too: an unlawful search or improper forensic collection can result in suppression of evidence the prosecution is counting on.
Trial, Negotiation, & Appeals
We weigh trial against negotiation at every stage. Not-guilty verdicts, hung juries, reduced charges, and dismissals all represent outcomes worth pursuing, and the right path depends on the facts of each case. If a case moves beyond the trial court, we handle appeals before Maine’s Law Court, the First Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court, so clients stay with the same firm through every stage.
Why Portland Clients Choose Zerillo Law Firm for These Cases
Tim Zerillo’s ABCL membership is the only one held by any lawyer in Maine. The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers named him a Best of the Best speaker in both 2022 and 2024, and he has chaired the organization’s Defending Modern Drug Cases seminar. Defense attorneys from across the country attend those events to learn from him. He is also a past president of the Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and a recipient of that organization’s President’s Award. This firm is known in Maine courtrooms for its standing in the bar.
A Record That Reflects Our Work
One client facing 25 federal charges had them reduced to a single misdemeanor. We have vacated a 70-year murder sentence on appeal, which reflects the depth of our post-conviction and appellate work across case types. The firm holds a 10.0 rating on Avvo and recognition from Super Lawyers and Best Law Firms, and has been ranked the number one law firm in Maine.
Direct Attorney Access Throughout Your Case
Clients at Zerillo Law Firm communicate directly with their attorney, not through layers of staff. We have worked this way for over two decades throughout Cumberland County and Maine. When a situation becomes urgent, that access matters.
Start Your Defense Today
If you are facing a child molestation accusation or charge in Portland or anywhere in Cumberland County, the time to act is now. A confidential consultation with our child molestation defense attorneys is available the same day you call. You can speak directly with your attorney, not a receptionist, and what you share in a consultation is confidential. One client reached us within 30 minutes of a federal raid involving the FBI, Maine State Police, and multiple law enforcement agencies. That level of response reflects how we treat urgency across every serious case we handle.
Call Zerillo Law Firm now at (207) 618-6555 to speak with a child molestation defense attorney in Portland today.
Maine Child Sex Offense Statutes: Charges & Classes
Maine prosecutes conduct commonly called child molestation under several statutes in Title 17-A Chapter 11. The charge and its class depend on the nature of the alleged conduct, the ages of the parties, and the relationship between them. The following is a reference-level overview of the most commonly charged offenses.
Gross Sexual Assault (17-A §253)
A sexual act with a child under 14 is a Class A crime carrying up to 30 years in prison. Class B and C violations apply when aggravating circumstances are present, including when the accused is a parent, stepparent, foster parent, guardian, teacher, or person with supervisory authority over a child under 18.
Sexual Abuse of Minors (17-A §254)
Covers sexual contact with persons aged 14 or 15. Charged as a Class C, D, or E crime depending on the age gap between the parties and the relationship between them.
Unlawful Sexual Contact (17-A §255-A)
Covers intentional sexual contact without consent or with a minor. The class level depends on the specific circumstances of the alleged conduct.
Related Statutes
Visual Sexual Aggression Against a Child (17-A §256) and Sexual Misconduct with a Child Under 14 (17-A §258) cover additional conduct that may be charged alongside primary counts.
Maine has no criminal statute of limitations for gross sexual assault, sexual abuse of minors, and unlawful sexual contact. Charges can be filed at any time after the alleged conduct, regardless of how many years have passed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Difference Between Child Molestation & Gross Sexual Assault in Maine?
Maine doesn’t use the term “child molestation” in its statutes. Conduct described that way is charged under gross sexual assault, sexual abuse of minors, unlawful sexual contact, or related statutes depending on the specific facts and the ages of the parties involved.
Can I Be Charged with a Child Sex Offense Years After the Alleged Incident?
Yes. Maine has no criminal statute of limitations for most child sex offenses, including gross sexual assault and unlawful sexual contact, so charges can be filed long after the alleged conduct occurred. Early legal counsel is important even before formal charges are filed.
What Happens If I Am Convicted of a Child Sex Offense in Maine?
A conviction typically results in a prison sentence, registration on the Maine Sex Offender Registry for at least 10 years and potentially for life, and a permanent felony record. Registration carries ongoing restrictions that can affect where a person lives, works, and travels well after release.
What If the Accusation Is False?
False accusations in child sex cases can stem from custody disputes, misidentification, peer pressure, or interview techniques that inadvertently shape a child’s account. A defense attorney can investigate how the accusation originated, challenge how the child was questioned, and develop evidence that creates reasonable doubt about the prosecution’s case.
Should I Talk to Police Before Hiring an Attorney?
No statement should be made to law enforcement before consulting with a criminal defense attorney. Anything said during an interview can be used by prosecutors when building their case, even statements that seem neutral or explanatory.
“Tim did a superb job putting me at ease while preparing my case.”
“He was consistently patient and accommodating with my frequent requests and questions, and responded promptly every time. I highly encourage you to contact him if you’re ever in need of a lawyer.”
