NCJ Number
188522
Editor(s)
Sherry A. Wilkins
Date Published
2000
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This report describes activities of or effecting the Maine Judicial Branch during fiscal year 2000.
Abstract
During FY 2000 (July 1, 1999 to June 30, 2000), the Maine Legislature enacted laws that substantially changed the structure of the State's court system: (1) all divorce and family cases would be processed and managed through the Family Division of the District Court; (2) almost all appeals would go directly to the Law Court instead of the Superior Court; (3) almost any civil case can be filed in District Court; (4) there was a new set of appeal rules applying to both civil and criminal appeals; and (5) the jurisdiction of the District Court now encompassed the jurisdiction of the Administrative Court, which would be abolished. The report discusses legislation allowing for the establishment of alcohol and drug treatment programs in Maine courts; measures to make jury duty more attractive to the jurors; the continued growth of the Family Court; expansion and strengthening of the Court-Appointed Special Advocates program; development and application of computerized information systems; and on-the-job training for Judicial Branch employees. Figures