Judicial selection in Maine
| Judicial selection in Maine | |
 | |
| Maine Supreme Judicial Court | |
| Method: | Gubernatorial appointment |
| Term: | 7 years |
| Maine Superior Court | |
| Method: | Gubernatorial appointment |
| Term: | 7 years |
| Maine District Courts | |
| Method: | Gubernatorial appointment |
| Term: | 7 years |
| Maine Probate Courts | |
| Method: | Partisan election |
| Term: | 4 years |
Judicial selection refers to the process used to select judges for courts. At the state level, methods of judicial selection vary substantially in the United States, and in some cases between different court types within a state. There are six primary types of judicial selection: partisan and nonpartisan elections, the Michigan method, assisted appointment, gubernatorial appointment, and legislative elections. To read more about how these selection methods are used across the country, click here.
This article covers how state court judges are selected in Maine, including:
As of April 2023, judges for all courts in the state except the Maine Probate Courts were selected by gubernatorial appointment, where the governor directly selects judges followed by Senate confirmation. Judges of the Maine Probate Courts were selected through partisan elections.[1]
Click here to notify us of changes to judicial selection methods in this state.
Maine Supreme Judicial Court
- See also: Maine Supreme Judicial Court
The seven justices of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court are appointed by the governor with confirmation from the Maine State Senate.[1]
Justices serve for seven years after their appointment. To continue to serve on the court, they must be reappointed by the governor and reconfirmed by the Maine State Senate.[1]
Qualifications
State law requires that supreme court justices be "learned in the law."[2]
Chief justice
In Maine, the position of chief justice is a specific seat on the court (similar to the Supreme Court of the United States) rather than a peer-selected leadership position. The chief justice is appointed in the same manner as the other justices on the court.[1]
Vacancies
If a midterm vacancy occurs on the court, the seat is filled as it normally would be if the vacancy occurred at the end of a justice's term. The governor appoints a justice with confirmation by the Maine State Senate. The new appointee serves a seven-year term.[1]
The map below highlights how vacancies are filled in state supreme courts across the country.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Maine," accessed September 15, 2021
- ↑ Maine Legislature, "Title 4: Judiciary, Chapter 1: Supreme Judicial Court - §1. Constitution of the court; administrative responsibilities of the court and the Chief Justice," accessed April 3, 2023
- ↑ Maine Legislature, "Title 4: Judiciary, Chapter 3: Superior Court - §101. Constitution of court," accessed April 3, 2023
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Maine; Limited Jurisdiction Courts," accessed September 15, 2021
- ↑ American Judicature Society, "History of Reform Efforts: Maine," accessed September 15, 2021
- ↑ Maine An Encyclopedia, "History of the Court System of the State of Maine: 1636-1961 – Condensed," accessed September 15, 2021
- ↑ U.S. Courts, "FAQ: Federal Judges," accessed March 26, 2015
- ↑ American Bar Association, "Judicial Selection: The Process of Choosing Judges," accessed August 10, 2021
Federal courts:
First Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Maine • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Maine
State courts:
Maine Supreme Judicial Court • Maine Superior Court • Maine Business and Consumer Court • Maine District Courts • Maine Family Division • Maine Juvenile Court • Maine Probate Courts • Maine Small Claims Court • Maine Treatment Court
State resources:
Courts in Maine • Maine judicial elections • Judicial selection in Maine
