A man arguing that his driving under the influence charge should be dismissed under the state’s good Samaritan law has been denied by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.
The good Samaritan law, which was passed in 2019, protects those who call 911 when someone is having an overdose from being charged for certain crimes.
The Portland Press Herald reported that the law was updated most recently in 2024 to exclude immunity for people charged with operating under the influence.
According to court documents, a woman called police about a car sitting by a highway exit in October 2023.
She was concerned the driver may have had a “medical event,” but police believed the driver, Billy Beaulieu, was under the influence and charged him with OUI.
Beaulieu asked that his case be dismissed after he pleaded not guilty in October 2023 because he believed the good Samaritan law applied to his situation, according to the Press Herald.
Beaulieu’s attorney claimed the woman called 911 for help due to concern for his well-being, according to the Press Herald. His attorney argued that if Beaulieu’s case wasn’t dismissed, it might deter others from calling for help.
The Maine Supreme Judicial Court disagreed. According to the Press Herald, the justices said the phrase “medical event” wasn’t specific enough to imply the woman thought Beaulieu was suffering an overdose.
