About Zerillo Law Firm

About Zerillo Law Firm — Criminal Defense Portland Maine

Criminal defense Portland residents, accident victims, and families turn to Zerillo Law Firm at 1250 Forest Avenue. Attorney Timothy Zerillo leads a multi-attorney firm that also includes attorneys Stephen Sweatt, Damian Ramsdell, and Seth Russell. The firm represents clients across Cumberland County and greater southern Maine in criminal defense, personal injury, family law, and business matters. Clients searching for Portland area criminal counsel find Zerillo’s multi-attorney coverage and long-standing reputation distinctive.

Tim Zerillo has built a reputation across Maine for thoughtful criminal defense representation. Stephen Sweatt specifically earns reviews for meticulous evidence review in criminal matters where document volume is overwhelming. Seth Russell handles cases across practice areas with substantive commitment. Damian Ramsdell takes cases that other attorneys might consider minor and handles them with the same care as major matters. The firm’s combination of specialization and accessibility produces consistent positive client experiences.

What Clients Say

Reviewers describe Tim Zerillo as intelligent, empathetic, and genuinely thorough — the rare attorney who checks in on clients well after cases resolve. Stephen Sweatt earns specific praise for evidence review that other attorneys reportedly missed. Seth Russell is described as hardworking with client empathy that matters in stressful matters. Clients consistently describe the firm as worth the fee, with most reporting outcomes that exceeded expectations. A small number of reviews mention high fees and communication gaps, suggesting clients should clarify billing expectations at retention.

Criminal Defense Portland — Practice Areas & Services

Felony and misdemeanor criminal defense in Cumberland County
OUI (Operating Under the Influence) defense in Maine
Personal injury representation
Family law matters including divorce and custody
Business and commercial litigation
Appellate representation in state courts
Multi-attorney firm with specialty coverage

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens after an OUI arrest in Maine?

Maine OUI arrests trigger both criminal charges and an administrative license suspension through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. You have 10 days to request an administrative hearing. Criminal cases proceed in District or Superior Court depending on severity. First-offense OUI carries mandatory 150-day license suspension, fines, and potential jail time under 29-A M.R.S. 2411.

How is criminal defense priced in Portland?

Portland criminal defense varies significantly by case severity. Misdemeanor representation typically runs $2,500 to $5,000. Felony defense starts around $10,000 and scales with complexity, witnesses, and trial preparation. Most firms provide written retainer agreements specifying scope and billing approach.

When does Maine require me to hire an attorney?

You have a Sixth Amendment right to counsel for any criminal charge carrying potential jail time, with court-appointed counsel for qualifying indigent defendants. For matters with serious consequences — career impacts, professional licensing, immigration status — retained counsel who can focus on your case often produces better outcomes than appointed counsel managing heavy caseloads.

Quick Facts: Criminal Defense in Portland, Maine

Maine OUI Law: 0.08% BAC standard under 29-A M.R.S. 2411 — 29-A M.R.S. §2411
Cumberland County Courthouse: Criminal matters heard at 205 Newbury Street, Portland — Maine Judicial Branch
ME License Reinstatement: Administrative BMV process separate from criminal case — Maine BMV

What People Say About Zerillo Law Firm

Zerillo Law Firm, located in Portland, Maine, is highly praised for its exceptional legal services and professionalism. Clients consistently commend attorneys like Tim Zerillo and Stephen Sweatt for their dedication, attention to detail, and ability to achieve positive outcomes in challenging cases. The firm is recognized not only for its legal expertise but also for the genuine care and support they provide to clients, making them a top choice for anyone seeking legal assistance.

Google Reviews for Zerillo Law Firm

Tim is extremely good at what he does. He represented me and I can’t recommend him enough! His professionalism and attention to detail is incredible. Thanks again!

Tim Zerillo is an amazing,thoughtful,talented attorney you could ask for. People say super heroes wear capes and masks well this man wears a suit and I can tell you, hes deserves everybit of reconization. Thank you from me and the family from the bottom of our hearts your services and expertise have been life saving. And greatly appreciated.

An attorney named Stephen Sweatt represented me in an annoying criminal matter. I was accused of defacing tree removal equipment left in my yard by a contractor servicing a neighboring property. Stephen took on the case and worked with me and the DA to get the charges dropped. He was successful. Stephen was at all times, the picture of professionalism. He counseled me on the procedure he would implement. He ALWAYS kept me very informed. Working with him made what could have been a problem, a non-issue. I can’t recommend Stephen and Zerillo Law Firm highly enough.

Timothy’s service is truly outstanding. He handled my case with exceptional professionalism and dedication, ensuring every detail was addressed with care. Even a year and a half after the case was resolved, he continues to assist me with follow-up advisory services. Such a lawyer is not only trustworthy but also someone you can confidently rely on. I highly recommend Timothy to anyone in need of a skilled and dependable attorney.

The level of care and attention this firm will put towards your case is top tier, Tim will not only handle your case with superior professionalism but also make sure you understand every step of the process, there’s no lawyer elsewhere I could morally recommend over Tim zerillo

I had the pleasure of having Damian Ramsdell defend me. In the grand scheme of things my case really wasn’t that big or exciting or even lucrative for that matter. However, he treated it like it was his only case, and I had the outcome I desired. Thanks again Damian and Zerillo Law, I’ll recommend you to anyone

I recently had the privilege and pleasure of working with Seth Russell and the amazing people at Zerillo Law Firm LLC in Portland, ME. Seth and everyone that works at Zerillo Law were so professional and wonderful to me. Words could never express the gratitude that I feel towards these amazing people. If you want the best in Maine hire Seth Russell at Zerillo Law Firm! Thank you Seth and everyone at Zerillo Law from the bottom of my heart for all of the support and of course the win!

Tim Zerilll is great person with a kind heart. He helped us with some legal issues and even took time to email some people to help us with our family member’s legal issue making sure he didn’t lose his chance to appeal. Even though we didn’t hire to represent a family member but he’s willingness to help us was what I admired about him. For all these reasons I highly recommend him to everyone that needs or is seeking legal assistance.

Seth is doing a great job for me, works hard, knows his stuff, and has my back. I trust his advice and appreciate his empathy. I have already referred him to other people, and highly recommend Zerillo law.

Achieved a positive outcome in the end. Billing and fees are little too high in regards to emails with the client (most times due to poor communication in the first place).

Tim is extremely professional, has high integrity, and is very thoughtful and thorough with every aspect of your case. I highly recommend him for your legal representation.

Attorney Steven Sweatt examined thousands of pages of my documents like an evidence guru. I thought I’d succeeded at identifying items pertaining to my case but Steven found more and more and it was crucial. Attorney Sweatt’s meticulous efforts and attention to details made me feel confident I had someone thorough and intelligent on my side. Steven’s job wasn’t easy, I constantly dumped documents on the firm and tried to explain them with some not so eloquent/confusing emails. He dealt with it seemingly effortlessly and extracted what was important. I am in Steven’s debt, he is an amazing attorney and I have a lot of respect for him.

Tim is the absolute best attorney. He’s highly intelligent, thoughtful, and empathetic. It’s rare to find someone so thoroughly competent in any profession. If you ever need an attorney in Maine, you can not do better than Tim Zerillo.

I unfortunately i was involved in a traumatic freak incident that forever changed my life. Because of this incident I was facing Very Serious legal and civil issues because of it. My world was completely flipped upside down. I reached out to very well-known attorney JP Degrinney who help me out in personal injury case before. Mr. Degrinney told he had just retired but he was going to hook up with Tim Zerillo with Zerillo Law Firm. He stated that if he was in my shoes this is who he would personally call for himself. Thank God he did that for me!!

The Zerillo law team has been providing excellent services for years in many different facets! Excited and proud to have them on my team. They are highly recommended!

Zerillo Law Firm