District Court
2014 -2015 Law Clerkship Opportunities
| Town | Address | Phone # | TTY-only # |
|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta | 145 State St., Augusta 04330 | (207) 287-8075 | (207) 287-4024 |
| Bangor | 78 Exchange Street, Bangor 04401 | (207) 561-2300 | (207) 941-3058 |
| Belfast | 103 Church Street, Belfast 04915 | (207) 338-3107 | (207) 338-0893 |
| Biddeford | 25 Adams Street, Biddeford 04005 | (207) 283-1147 | (207) 284-2977 |
| Bridgton | 3 Chase Street Suite #2, Bridgton 04009 | (207) 647-3535 | (207) 647-3557 |
| Calais | 382 South Street, Suite B, Calais 04619 | (207) 454-2055 | (207) 454-0085 |
| Caribou | 144 Sweden Street, Suite 104, Caribou 04736 | (207) 493-3144 | (207) 498-2127 |
| Dover-Foxcroft | 159 East Main Street, Suite 21, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 | (207) 564-2240 | (207) 564-0767 |
| Ellsworth | 50 State Street, Ellsworth 04605 | (207) 667-7141 | (207) 664-7507 |
| Farmington | 129 Main Street, Farmington 04938 | (207) 778-2119 | (207) 778-8273 |
| Fort Kent | 139 Market Street, Suite 101, Fort Kent 04743 | (207) 834-5003 | (207) 834-5850 |
| Houlton | 26 Court Street, Suite 201, Houlton 04730 | (207) 532-2147 | (207) 532-7218 |
| Lewiston | 71 Lisbon Street, P.O BOX 1345, Lewiston 04240 | (207) 795-4800 | (207) 783-5457 |
| Lincoln | 52 Main Street, Lincoln 04457 | (207) 794-8512 | (207) 794-3390 |
| Machias | Mailing: P.O. Box 526, Machias 04654 Physical: 85 Court Street, Machias 04654 | (207) 255-3044 | (207) 255-0501 |
| Madawaska | MAILING: 139 Market Street, Suite 101, Fort Kent, Maine 04743 PHYSICAL: 645 Main Street, Madawaska 04756 | (207) 728-4700 | (207) 728-7142 |
| Millinocket | MAILING: 52 Main Street, Lincoln 04457 PHYSICAL: 207 Penobscot Avenue, Millinocket 04462 | (207) 723-4786 | (207) 723-4933 |
| Newport | 12 Water Street, Newport 04953 | (207) 368-5778 | (207) 368-4881 |
| Portland | 205 Newbury Street, P.O. Box 412, Portland 04112 | (207) 822-4200 | (207) 822-4262 |
| Presque Isle | 27 Riverside Drive, , P.O. Box 794, Presque Isle 04769 | (207) 764-2055 | 207) 764-2059 |
| Rockland | 62 Union Street, Rockland 04841 | (207) 596-2240 | (207) 596-2244 |
| Rumford | 145 Congress Street, Rumford 04276 | (207) 364-7171 | (207) 364-3312 |
| Skowhegan | 47 Court Street, Skowhegan 04976 | (207) 474-9518 | (207) 858-0622 |
| South Paris | 26 Western Avenue, South Paris 04281 | (207) 743-8942 | (207) 743-9624 |
| Springvale | 447 Main Street, Springvale 04083 | (207) 459-1400 | (207) 324-9596 |
| Waterville | 18 Colby Street, Waterville 04903 | (207) 873-2103 | (207) 873-3207 |
| West Bath | 101 New Meadows Road, West Bath 04530 | (207) 442-0200 | (207) 442-0219 |
| Wiscasset | 32 High Street, P.O. Box 249, Wiscasset 04578 | (207) 882-6363 | (207) 882-1260 |
| York | 11 Chases Pond Road, York 03909 | (207) 363-1230 | (207) 363-8740 |
The District Court system was created by the Legislature in 1961. The District Court has 36 judges who hold court in 13 districts at many locations throughout Maine. This court hears civil, criminal and family matters and always sits without a jury. Civil suits claiming monetary damages, domestic relations cases (divorces, separations, custody, and property disputes), and involuntary commitments are examples of civil cases. There is also established within the District Court a Family Division that has jurisdiction over family matters in the District Court. There are 8 Family Law Magistrates who work in the Family Division.
A plaintiff who has a right to trial by jury in a civil action waives the right by bringing the action in District Court; a defendant with a right to a civil jury may remove the action to a Superior Court for jury trial.
The court also tries cases involving civil violations and Class D and E criminal offenses when the defendant waives the right to a jury trial. In addition, the court hears all juvenile matters and traffic infraction cases.
Most decisions of the District Court may be appealed directly to the Supreme Judicial Court, except for small claims and forcible entry and detainer cases.
In Maine, the small claims court is a special session of the District Court held in each district on certain days determined by the Chief Judge of the District Court. In small claims court, the procedure is simplified, hearings are informal, and parties generally appear without attorneys. Small claims proceedings are appropriate only when the amount in controversy, not including interest and costs, is not more than $6,000. Appeals from small claims judgments may be taken to the Superior Court. A defendant who appeals, and who has a right to a jury trial, may have a trial de novo (a complete retrial) before a Superior Court jury.
