Maine Warrants: Types, Searches, and What to Expect

A warrant is a written order issued by a judge that grants law enforcement permission to perform a specific act that otherwise would be illegal without a judge’s permission. Warrants in the U.S. and Maine Constitutions guarantee that the government acts on the basis of probable cause to safeguard an individual's rights.

What Is a Warrant in Maine?

In Maine, a warrant is a court order issued by a judge or magistrate to allow law enforcement to take some action. State law and the Maine Rules of Unified Criminal Procedure regulate the criteria for issuing and employing warrants. District Court, Superior Court, and Unified Criminal Docket judges and justices of the peace typically oversee the process. Police or court officials can request warrants for a range of reasons, such as the arrest of a suspect, search of property, or seizure of evidence of a crime.

Types of Warrants in Maine

Under Maine law, Title 15, Chapter 100 of the Revised Statutes, the most common warrants issued in the state are:

1. Bench Warrant

A bench warrant in Maine is an arrest warrant issued by a judicial officer to hold or take into custody a person who has failed to comply with a court order.

2. Arrest Warrant

Police can obtain an arrest warrant from a magistrate or judge to arrest a person suspected of a crime.

3. Search Warrant

A justice of the peace or a judge of the Superior or District Court can issue a search warrant to the police to search a specified location for evidence of a crime. The warrant is issued if there is probable cause to believe that evidence of the crime is at the location.

4. Probation Violation Warrant

When a probation Officer or the Department of Corrections alleges that a probationer has violated the terms of their probation, a probation violation warrant is issued. It is used to arrest the individual and return them to court.

5. Civil Warrant

This type of warrant is most typically applied to family law situations, including a contempt of court order.

How to Search for Warrants in Maine

Although there is no statewide online warrant database within Maine, the different methods of obtaining information about warrants are:

• Maine State Bureau of Identification (SBI) – Criminal history information in Maine is retained on file by the SBI. An individual can receive a copy of his or her own record, which may contain warrant status.
• Maine Judicial Branch Court Records – Through the re:SearchMaine website, record seekers can search for warrant status in criminal cases online.
• Third-Party Search Tools – Individuals may use online background check websites to search for warrant records in Maine. Cross-verifying against official sources is required.
• County Sheriff's Offices – Depending on the county, individuals looking for the sheriff's office warrant records may be able to obtain them by phone, in person, or online.
• Clerk of Court Offices – Anyone can visit the District or Superior Court Clerk's Office in order to view the official documents maintained in a case.
• Local Police Departments – Warrant records for city-level offenses are maintained by police departments in larger cities such as Portland, Lewiston, and Bangor.

Maine warrant records contain the name of the person, bail, charges, case number, warrant type, and issuing court.

Warrant Records in Major Maine Counties

• Portland (Cumberland County) – The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office permits the public to request warrant records by mail or by visiting the Records Department.
• Bangor (Penobscot County) – Interested parties can obtain warrant records from the Penobscot County Sheriff's Office by visiting the Records Division during business hours on weekdays.
• Lewiston (Androscoggin County) – Warrant information is available through the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Department and county courts.

What Happens After a Warrant Is Issued in Maine?

• Arrest Warrants – After an arrest warrant is issued in Maine, law enforcement officers can locate and arrest the individual named in the warrant. The person is then taken into custody and brought before a court for an initial appearance.
• Bench Warrants – Once a bench warrant is entered into the statewide electronic database, law enforcement may arrest the individual at any time. The warrant remains active until the issue is resolved.
• Search Warrants – Officers may enter the property named in the warrant to look for the items listed. The search is limited to the areas and objects specifically described in the warrant.
• Civil Warrants – After the warrant is issued, it directs the sheriff’s office to arrest the individual and bring them to a hearing at the designated District Court.

Clearing a warrant in Maine generally requires voluntary appearance in court, paying fines, and contacting a clerk or attorney for instructions on how to proceed. Failure to resolve a warrant can result in arrest during routine stops, background checks, or even airport screenings.

How Long Does a Warrant Stay Active in Maine?

• In Maine, arrest and bench warrants do not expire on their own. They remain active until the court recalls them or they are executed.
• A search warrant becomes void if it is not executed within seven days.
• Civil warrants stay active until the underlying case is resolved or dismissed.

A warrant may be quashed if it was issued in error or recalled when the person meets court obligations. It is considered cleared once it has been served or resolved in court. In Maine, years-old warrants can still lead to an arrest because both arrest and bench warrants do not expire.

In Maine's justice system, warrants play a very important role because they ensure that arrests and searches take place under judicial scrutiny. Regardless of the type, they carry serious consequences, as they can lead to arrest or court penalties until they are resolved. Because warrants are not automatically dismissed, they must be cleared through a proper court process.

Warrant documents can be obtained by contacting the county clerk of court, sheriff's department, local police, or the State Bureau of Identification (SBI). The ideal action regarding an active warrant is to consult an attorney or visit the issuing court to avoid incurring harsh penalties.