Text Message Hearing Notifications

The Maine Judicial Branch sends text message notifications to certain parties in criminal cases by text message to their cell phone. This free service is a convenience and aims to reduce the number of people failing to appear in Maine’s courts. Text message notifications do not replace paper hearing notices that are mailed to parties.

Please note: The text message hearing notification service is not yet available to all defendants statewide. This service is only available in courts that have transitioned to Maine eCourts.

How to sign up for text notifications

• Defendants in criminal cases will be automatically signed up if the defendant’s cell phone number is on file with the court.
• In most cases, law enforcement will collect a defendant’s cell phone number and provide it to the court.
• If the court does not have the defendant’s cell phone number on file, or if the phone number has changed, the court will provide a form for the defendant to complete at their first court appearance.
• Please note, a defendant's cell phone number must be on file with the court at least 3 days prior to a scheduled court hearing to receive text message hearing notifications.

Beware of Scams

The Maine Judicial Branch is aware of an increase in phone, and text-related scams where the perpetrator is seeking personal or financial information by posing as a legitimate government agency. The Maine Judicial Branch WILL NEVER call or text parties and ask for personal information or require you to make a payment over the phone or through text. Additionally, we will not send links in our text messages and recommend that you do not click on links received via SMS.

Opting out

If you do not want to receive text message notifications on your cell phone, simply respond "No" to opt out. Responding "No" will stop future messages related to that case from being sent to your cell phone number.