A prominent Waldoboro attorney charged in November with domestic violence assault has pleaded guilty to lesser charges as part of a plea agreement.
Philip S. Cohen, 45, pleaded guilty July 11 to disorderly conduct and violation of conditions of release and received a deferred disposition, according to his attorney, Walter McKee.
If Cohen meets conditions, including counseling, imposed by Justice Roland A. Cole, at the end of the deferment he will be convicted of two misdemeanor charges and pay a $500 fee for each, McKee said Friday.
The domestic violence charge was dismissed as part of a plea agreement, McKee said.
Cohen was arrested the night of Nov. 15, 2013, at his home and charged with domestic violence assault, Waldoboro Police Chief Bill Labombarde said in November.
Less than three weeks later, Cohen was arrested again and charged with texting and phoning the alleged victim in the domestic violence assault case, in violation of his bail conditions.
According to an affidavit filed in court, the victim said Cohen texted and telephoned her on multiple occasions from Nov. 19 through Dec. 4.
Cohen was held without bail at Two Bridges regional Jail in Wiscasset from Dec. 4 to Dec. 6.
McKee said Cohen’s case was transferred out of Lincoln County for several reasons, including the publicity in the Lincoln County area and knowledge of Cohen by Lincoln County court employees. Cohen also has represented several high-profile suspects in criminal cases over the past few years.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and would like to talk with an advocate, call 866-834-4357, TRS 800-787-3224. This free, confidential service is available 24/7 and is accessible from anywhere in Maine.
