What are Maine Court Records?
Maine has a population of 1.37 million, making it the 42nd most populated state in the US, just behind New Hampshire. In terms of its court structure, Maine has a federal district court, a supreme court, and other lesser courts known as trial courts. The state's trial courts are made up of Superior Courts, District Courts, Probate Courts, and Judicial Branch Bureau. While the superior and district courts are considered state courts, probate courts are probate courts that usually operate at the county level. The Maine court system sees over 120,900 new cases every year.
Court records are all official documents, recorded or written, related to a court case, including trials and hearings, and can be used as evidence in the court. Maine court records are open to the general public, except in cases where the courts seal them. The creation of any court record in the state typically starts with a complaint in civil cases or an indictment in criminal cases, and these court records usually include the following details:
Briefs
These refer to written legal arguments presented to a court to help it decide on the legal issues involved in the case.
Case Files/Information
These refer to a collection of documents related to a particular legal case, and may include evidence from the case.
Court Minutes
These refer to an extensive record of what happens during a trial, hearing, or any other legal action taken by the court clerk or a designated person. It acts as an official account of the events that unfold during the proceedings.
Dockets
hese refer to a continuous list of all actors and the actions taken during a legal proceeding. It includes all documents submitted to the court in a numbered order, starting with the original complaints and ending with the final judge's order.
Evidence
his refers to significant facts and items, be it physical or electronic evidence, that either side may submit for a case to prove their claim.
Judgments and Orders
Judgements refer to the court's decision, including who won and any applicable punishments, while court orders refer to the judge's ruling on a motion
Pleadings
hese are written documents filed in a court case by an attorney. It is a formal submission of claims and defenses against the opposition's claims.
Transcripts
These are records of precisely what was said and who said it, taken from an electronic recording of the proceedings or in real-time by a transcriber.
Types of Court Cases
In Maine, court cases are generally divided into two categories: criminal and civil. Despite their many similarities, the major distinction between a criminal and civil case is that the former involves jail time if found guilty while the latter typically involves monetary compensation for damages. In terms of actors, a criminal case involves someone being prosecuted by the government, but a civil case involves two or more individuals, with one side seeking compensation from or a court order against the other party.
Civil Cases
Civil cases aim to resolve disputes between citizens. One of the most significant aspects of civil cases is that they do not result in jail time or other severe loss of rights. Due to this, the burden of proof - how far the parties need to prove their claim - is much lower than in criminal cases.
The purpose of civil decisions is to compensate the winner for losses or provide them with respite or a sense of justice, especially where a criminal case has failed. Penalties may consist of paying compensation, stopping certain activities, or resolving the underlying issue that caused the conflict.
Apart from that, civil attorneys have to prove their case by the "preponderance of the evidence". This phrase is merely a legal way of saying that the jury or judge would decide the winner based on who has the most convincing evidence. There is no need for a unanimous decision, which is when all jurors agree on the verdict and conclusion of the court case, in a civil judgment.
In civil action, there is likewise no legal entitlement to legal counsel. Civil parties must employ their counsel or appear in court pro se, or on their behalf.
In Maine District Court, small claim cases are heard and determined by a judge in the absence of a jury. When a plaintiff's claim is for $6,000 or less, small claims court offers a quick and affordable means of resolving disputes.
Criminal Cases
Criminal cases are started by a government agency, typically known as the State. The State files criminal charges against those who are thought to have committed crimes. The main objective of a criminal case is to remove or rehabilitate lawbreakers from society and discourage further criminal activity.
Typically, the State is represented by the local District Attorney's office, which brings the case against the defendant. Defendants in criminal cases are entitled to a trial by fellow jurors. The jury is selected by the court from a random group of district residents, and each juror is interrogated to eliminate bias related to the case. Defendants may choose a jury-free bench trial.
Jurors in criminal trials must vote unanimously, unlike in civil ones. This means that they must all agree on the verdict and conclusion of the court case This high standard is a result of the considerably greater possible penalties in a criminal case. Verdicts finding a prisoner guilty can result in jail time and heavy penalties, probation, another type of supervised release, or all of these, thus jurors need to be completely convinced that the defendant is "guilty beyond a reasonable doubt".
If a fine is imposed, it is paid to the State rather than the offended party. However, in certain situations, the judge could additionally mandate that the offender reimburse the victim for any losses brought on by the offense. The victim may however go ahead and file a civil lawsuit against the offender to get compensation for the damages, regardless of whether compensation was mandated or not.
What Are the Different Courts in Maine?
Maine courts handle every type of case, ranging from minor civil lawsuits to major crimes like sexual assault and murder. To settle disputes and uphold social order, different courts may handle cases using various guidelines and procedures.
In addition to the state supreme court, trial courts in Maine have both general and limited jurisdiction. The following court makes up the Maine court system:
- Supreme Court
- Trial court (Superior Courts, District Courts, and Probate Courts)
Maine Supreme Court
The Supreme Judicial Court is the court of last resort and the highest state court in Maine. The Chief Justice, currently Hon. Valerie Stanfill, serves as the head of the Judicial Branch and presides over the court's seven judges. The Court plays two major functions. The first is resolving legal appeals including issues raised in proceedings before the state's District, Probate, and Superior Courts as well as in certain administrative bodies. When resolving similar challenges, all Maine courts must follow the Supreme Court's published opinions.
The Judicial Branch's governance is its second duty. This entails establishing procedural and policy guidelines that apply to all state courts, allowing attorneys to practice law there, and controlling the behavior of judges and attorneys. On request, the governor or legislature can also receive advisory opinions on state law from the justices.
Maine Superior Court
The Maine Superior Court serves as the state's general jurisdiction trial court. It is the only court level in Maine that allows jury trials. Every one of Maine's eight judicial areas has a court, with at least one superior court in every county. Its current Chief Justice is Hon. Robert E. Mullen. Its jurisdiction includes the majority of felonies in criminal court, cases requesting equitable relief, and appeals of administrative agency decisions.
Maine District Court
Maine District Court has 44 judges and several Active Retired Judges. These judges preside over eight regions at various locations around the state. The District Court always meets without a jury and considers cases including civil, criminal, and family law (through its Family Division).
Treatment Court and Juvenile Court are specialized programs offered by the District Courts. The former handles the majority of cases involving minors who commit actions that would normally be regarded as crimes if committed by adults. The latter offers court-supervised community-based therapy and supervision to people with severe drug addiction or mental health issues who are entangled in the criminal justice or child protection systems.
Maine Probate Court
Maine Probate Court handles matters about wills and trusts as well as adoptions, name changes, and guardianship appointments. Probate judges may be appointed or elected. Candidates must be residents of the state and licensed attorneys in good standing to be eligible for the position.
How Many Federal Courts Are In Maine?
Maine has one federal court called the United States District Court for the District of Maine, which has locations in Portland and Bangor, with its headquarters in the former. The US Constitution and federal laws define the limited jurisdiction of this court. It forms the basis for all cases arising under the Constitution, federal statutes, or treaties. It is a general trial court within the federal courts of the United States.
There are currently two active district judges in the US District Court for the District of Maine. Nancy Torresen was appointed by President Barack Obama in October 2011, to serve as the seventeenth United States District Court Judge for Maine. In 2018, Judge Lance E. Walker became the nineteenth federal district judge for the Court after being appointed by President Donald Trump. The court also has four senior judges and a magistrate judge.
The district court judges are in charge of running the court and overseeing its staff. As long as they exhibit "good behavior", they are eligible to serve another term. However, Congress reserves the right to impeach and remove them.
Federal magistrate judges are tasked with certain district court duties. They typically hold office for eight years if they work full-time or four years if they work part-time. However, magistrates may be reappointed once their term has expired.
Both civil and criminal trials are handled by the court under the federal court system. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit handles appeals of this court's decisions.
How Many Court Cases Are Filed Each Year in Maine?
In Maine, trial courts deal with around 120,900 new cases every year, which puts its incoming rate at 8723 per 100,000 residents.
- Domestic Relations Matters: In Maine, there are more than 11,660 domestic relations cases filed each year.
- Juvenile Matters: The state's juvenile courts hear around 1,906 cases annually.
- Traffic Matters: 51,384 traffic-related cases were reported to the state.
- Civil Matters:In Maine, roughly 19,574 civil lawsuits are filed annually.
- Criminal Matters: Every year, the state receives roughly 36,331 criminal cases.
How Do I Look Up Court Cases in Maine?
The Maine Judicial Branch generally maintains court records in Maine. To request court records in the state, you must fill out and submit a Record Search Request form. Request should be submitted in person at the Judicial Branch Service Center or via mail. However, they cannot be emailed or faxed in.
Note that there is a search fee attached to each search for individuals who were not named in the case or were not a party to it. Payment must be made when the request is being made and could be made by cash (if hand delivered), check, credit card, or money order.
Only non-confidential court records can be accessed by the public. The requester will receive the docket number and case status (pending or closed) of such records. To get more information on the case, the requester will need to either buy a copy of the docket record or other case documents, or they can visit the court where the case was held to read the file.
To make an accurate such, you must be able to provide the first and last name of the person you wish to access their court records. Criminal cases also require the date of birth. For businesses, you will need to provide the business name. Note that aliases are treated as distinct names and need to be searched separately.
The Maine Rules of Electronic Court Systems (MRECS) and Administrative Order JB-20-03 control access to electronic court records. Visit re:SearchMaine, Maine's new online platform, to access electronic court records. The platform requires you to sign in using your eFileMaine account.
What Court Records Are Not Available to the Public in Maine?
While many of Vermont's court records are available to the public, certain court records in Maine, such as those involving minors, child abuse, custody issues, mental health situations, or current criminal investigations, are not available to the public because of their nature.
Additionally, the criminal records of those who have received complete executive pardons in the state of Maine are regarded as confidential and are normally only accessible to those who have been granted authorization.