Contact the Committee

All correspondence to the Committee must be sent to:

Committee on Judicial Conduct
P. O. Box 127
Augusta, ME 04332

To reach the Committee by phone:

(207) 623-1121

PLEASE NOTE: The Committee cannot be contacted by email.

 

The Committee investigates complaints, holds hearings, makes findings, reports misconduct or disability, and recommends disciplinary action to the Supreme Judicial Court. The committee is not a substitute for an appeal or other remedy in the litigation itself.

The Committee cannot intervene in or change court proceedings or decisions in any way, and it should not be relied on for that purpose.

If you disagree with or wish to contest a ruling in your case it may be appropriate for you to file an appeal.

Click here for more information about the appeal process.

 

How to file a complaint

The Committee accepts only written complaints. You may send a letter to the Committee or download the Committee complaint form here. If you have a condition that prevents you from writing, please contact the Committee for assistance.

Include the following information if it applies to your particular complaint:

  1. What happened: if you believe the judge or magistrate engaged in misconduct, describe the event in enough detail so the Committee can understand exactly what you think the judge or magistrate said or did that was contrary to ethical standards.
  2. Judge or magistrate's name
  3. When: the date of the event
  4. Where: provide the name of the city or town.
  5. Which Court: District, Superior, Probate, or Supreme Judicial Court.
  6. Name of the case and any court docket numbers, if you know them.
  7. Witnesses: Include the name and contact information, for example telephone number or address, of anyone who may have seen or heard the conduct, or who has information about the complaint.

Sign the letter or complaint form and send it to the Committee.

How long does it take for a complaint to be processed?

It takes approximately three months to resolve most complaints. More time may be required based on the complexity of the matter, the nature or extent of the proceedings, the availability of witness testimony, or the seriousness of the misconduct alleged.

How does the Committee decide if there was misconduct?

Based on the information it has received, the Committee will make factual findings and determine whether those findings establish that a judge has violated the Code of Judicial Conduct. The full text of the Code of Judicial Conduct and the Rules governing the Committee are contained in Maine Rules of Court, an annual publication available in state and county law libraries; the University of Maine School of Law Garbrecht Library in Portland in other general public libraries, and on the Committee's website.