The Maine Supreme Judicial Court is seeking public feedback on proposed changes to the rules governing the Committee on Judicial Conduct. These proposals include amendments to the order establishing the Committee, modifications to the rules that govern it, and new provisions for judicial disciplinary proceedings after a report is filed with the Court.
The suggested changes would take effect immediately upon adoption and would apply to current cases. They aim to clarify that reports from the Committee, as well as subsequent court filings and proceedings related to these reports, are public. Additionally, they propose procedures for reviewing a report from the Committee. For instance, any report concerning a justice of the Supreme Judicial Court would be assessed by a panel consisting of the four most senior active justices of the Superior Court and the four most senior active judges of the District Court.
Public comments on these proposals must be submitted by January 23, 2025. Comments can be sent in writing or via email to lawcourt.clerk@courts.maine.gov. Email attachments should be in native portable document format (.pdf). The Clerk's Office will confirm receipt via reply email.
All submissions must include the name and mailing address of both the individual and any organization represented in their comments. It is not necessary for individuals to be attorneys to submit feedback.
Comments received will be treated as public documents and may appear on the Courts' website.
For further information or assistance, interested parties can contact Matthew Pollack, Executive Clerk at Maine Supreme Judicial Court, located at 205 Newbury Street Room 139, Portland, Maine 04101.