Maine Evidence of defendant's Prior Similar Acts is a form of evidence presented in criminal cases in the state of Maine. It is designed to demonstrate that a defendant has committed similar acts of wrongdoing in the past, and thus is likely to have committed the crime they are accused of. It can include evidence such as prior convictions, prior arrests, prior proceedings, prior statements, and prior acts. This evidence is typically used to prove intent, knowledge, motive, plan, identity, and absence of mistake or accident. There are two types of Maine Evidence of defendant's Prior Similar Acts: direct and indirect. Direct evidence is testimony from a witness or other reliable source that the defendant has committed similar acts in the past. Indirect evidence is circumstantial evidence that shows the defendant has likely committed similar acts in the past.