Highest Court
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court consists of 7
judges. It has jurisdiction over (1) Hears appeal on questions of law in
civil and criminal cases, interlocutory criminal appeals from District
and Superior Courts, appeals of decisions of a single justice of the Supreme
Judicial Court. (2) Conducts appellate review of criminal sentences of
one year or more.
General Courts
Superior Court
The Superior Court consists of 16
judges. It has jurisdiction over (1) Original jurisdiction in civil and
criminal matters not within the exclusive jurisdiction of District Court.
(2) Hears all criminal felony cases, and criminal misdemeanor jury trials.
No jury trials are overseen by this court.
Limited Courts
District Court
The District Court consists of 33
judges. It has jurisdiction over (1) Hears civil actions (no maximum),
domestic relations, protection from abuse, quiet title, and small claims
cases. (2) Hears non-felony criminal
cases, traffic infractions, civil
violations, felony probate cause hearings, and juvenile cases.
No jury trials are overseen by this court.
Probate Court
The Probate Court consists of 16
judges. It has jurisdiction over (1) Specialized subject matter including
estates and trusts, adoptions and name changes, guardianship and protective
proceedings.
No jury trials are overseen by this court.
Additional Information
Rules on courts records and unclaimed
property
The Supreme Judicial Court may prescribe,
repeal, add to, amend, or modify the rules or orders regarding records
of all the judicial courts of Maine and the issue of unclaimed property.
(Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 8-A of the Maine Revised Statutes)
Trial terms
The times and places for holding
court, the schedule outlining the business to be conducted, and when a
grand jury shall be summoned shall be done at the decision of the Chief
Justice of the Superior Court. A justice of the Superior Court may
specially summon a grand jury at anytime.
(Title 4, Chapter 3, §110 of
the Maine Revised Statutes)
Simultaneous and special sessions
When public convenience requires,
the Chief Justice of the Superior Court may allow two or more simultaneous
sessions of the Superior Court in the same county or special sessions in
any count. The business should be divided to secure speedy and convenient
disposal. This also applies to transactions of civil or criminal
business or both. (Title 4, Chapter 3, §111 of the Maine Revised Statutes)
Acceptance of fine and guilty
plea
Upon payment of the fine and surcharge
of a criminal traffic offense, the clerk of the division will accept a
plea of guilty from the individual in accordance to the schedule of offenses
and fines established by the Chief Judge. When a person pays a fine
without filing a signed waiver, that person is assumed to have read
and waived their rights and understand that the payment is substituted
as a waiver and is treated as a judgment of the court and that the record
of the judgment will be sent to the Secretary of State. (Title
4, Chapter 5, §164-A of the Maine Revised Statutes)
Examination to determine sanity
of accused
A Judge of the District Court may
order an accused person to immediately be examined by a physician to determine
their psychological state. The cost of such examination shall be paid from
the treasury of the county in which the action is pending. (Title
4, Chapter 5, §168 of the Maine Revised Statutes) .
County law libraries
In every county that has a law library,
a county law library committee must be formed consisting of members appointed
or elected by the county bar association or governing body, such as the
bylaws provide. Membership does not have to be limited to attorneys.
The committee shall have a chair, a treasurer, and a clerk. (Title
4, Chapter 6 §195 of the Maine Revised Statutes))
General jurisdiction
Each judge may take the probate
of wills and grant letters testamentary or of administration on the estates
of all deceased persons who, at the time of their death, where inhabitants
or residents of his county or who, not being residents of the State, died
leaving estate to be administered in his county, or whose estate is afterwards
found therein; and has jurisdiction of all matters relating to the settlement
of such estates. He may grant leave to adopt children, change the names
of persons, appoint guardians for minors and others according to law, and
has jurisdiction as to persons under guardianship, and as to whatever else
is conferred on him by law. (Title 4, Chapter 7, §251)
