State of Maine v. Thomas
Maine Supreme Judicial Court
8 A.3d 638 (2010)

- Written by Alex Ruskell, JD
Facts
Thomas (defendant) was the captain of the Blue Water, a fishing vessel carrying both a federal and a Maine commercial fishing license. While the Blue Water was fishing in the federal exclusive economic zone, Maine marine patrol officers boarded the vessel for a search. During the search, the officers discovered oversize lobsters that were unlawful to catch under Maine law. Thomas was charged with violating Maine law. Thomas filed a motion to suppress the evidence, arguing that the state officers had no legal justification to search the Blue Water. Thomas was ultimately convicted and fined for violating Maine’s lobster laws. Thomas appealed, arguing that the Maine officers did not have jurisdiction to search the Blue Water while it was in the federal exclusive economic zone.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Mead, J.)
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