State of Maine Judicial Branch

Protection from Violence

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January 14, 2019: SJC invites comments on its planned proposal to the Legislature to adopt the "Digital Court Records Access Act," which would address the case types, documents, and information that will be accessible by the public as the courts' new electronic case management system is implemented. Comments due on or before January 25, 2019. Read full text of notice here.

January 7, 2019: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to the Maine Bar Rules regarding continuing legal education. Comments due on or before January 22, 2019.

December 20, 2018: Supreme Court Chief Justice Leigh I. Saufley recently announced the recipients of this year’s Judicial Branch Performance Council employee and volunteer recognition awards.

December 4, 2018: Wednesday, December 5, has been declared a National Day of Mourning in recognition of the death of the 41st American President. The Maine Judicial Branch joins the entire country in mourning the death of former President George H.W. Bush. All flags will be flown at half mast in recognition of President Bush's passing. While some offices of State and Federal Government have announced that they will be closed tomorrow, Maine's Judicial Branch, as an essential service, will be open as usual.

October 31, 2018: The Supreme Judicial Court seeks letters of interest from attorneys and others who are interested in serving on the newly expanded Board of the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services. Letters of interest due by noon on November 16, 2018.

October 29, 2018: Maine Judicial Branch Announces that e-filing is now live for Violations Bureau Cases. The Maine court system’s new case management and e-filing system, Odyssey, is now available for traffic violation cases. Parties may look their cases up online, file answers and motions, and pay tickets 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

October 26, 2018: The SJC has adopted an amendment to the Maine Rules of Professional Conduct to prohibit attorneys from having sexual relations with clients unless a consensual sexual relationship existed when the client-lawyer relationship commenced.

October 22, 2018: The SJC has adopted amendments to the Maine Rules for Guardians Ad Litem regarding the application of the rules to non-rostered attorneys specially appointed by a court.

October 15, 2018: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to the Maine Rules of Probate Procedure regarding forms and private information. Comments due by October 29, 2018.

October 12, 2018: The Chief Justice invites input from the bar on Civil Process Reform. Letters of interest in serving on working group invited through October 23, 2018. Public hearing scheduled for October 24, 2018. Documents relating to the proposal, including comments received in response to the invitation for comment, are available on the Civil Justice Reform page.

October 10, 2018: Maine Judicial Branch Announces e-filing for Violations Bureau Cases. The Maine Judicial Branch announces that the first phase of the Maine court system’s new case management and e-filing system, Odyssey, will be rolled out for traffic violation cases statewide on October 29.

October 10, 2018: Maine Supreme Court Honors Lawyers Who Have Provided Free Legal Services to Those in Need. Katahdin Counsel Recognition Program recognizes lawyers providing 50 or more hours of pro bono assistance in 2018.