NCJ Number
159160
Date Published
1995
Length
110 pages
Annotation
This report presents statistical data on the filings, trials, dispositions, caseloads, and expenditures for Maine's courts, including the law, superior, district, and administrative courts for fiscal year 1995.
Abstract
More than 250,000 cases were filed during the year, expenditures totaled more than $33 million, and revenues totaled more than $23 million. The judicial branch has 50 judges and 320 staff positions. Caseloads have changed significantly during the past several years, but it is difficult to quantify changes related to complexity and legislative impacts. In the State's highest appellate court, fiscal year 1995 filings decreased 4.8 percent from the previous year, following a dramatic increase due to the nearly tripling in filings of worker's compensation cases. A total of 5,429 civil cases and 11,946 criminal cases were filed. The court had 166 civil jury trials, 190 civil non- jury trials, 391 criminal jury trials, and 49 criminal jury- waived trials. A total of 52.5 percent of the criminal dispositions were convictions, and 23.7 percent were dismissals. District courts handled 74,605 criminal filings, 43,887 civil filings, 8,161 civil violations, and 100,421 traffic violations. Filings in the administrative court related to suspension and revocation of administrative agency licenses totaled 366. Tables