Penobscot County court records in Maine are available through several channels. PenobscotCourt.us allows you to search for publicly available information on court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the official online resources of the Maine Judicial Branch, directly at court clerks' offices, and at public terminals in court buildings. Below is a detailed guide on court structure, access to hearing calendars, obtaining document copies, and current fees.
Penobscot Court System & Jurisdictions
Penobscot County has two main courts of general jurisdiction — the Superior Court and the District Court. Both are located at the Penobscot Judicial Center in Bangor.
Penobscot County Superior Court handles serious criminal cases (felonies), civil lawsuits for significant amounts, and appeals from the District Court. Electronic filing (eFiling) is mandatory for attorneys and state agencies in this court.
Bangor District Court serves a broader range of cases:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases and minor offenses
- Traffic violations
- Civil lawsuits up to $50,000
- Small claims cases — up to $6,000
- Protective order and domestic violence cases
- Eviction and rental cases
Family cases — divorce, custody, alimony — are also handled by the District Court. Probate cases are managed by the separate Penobscot County Probate Court, which operates independently from the Maine Unified Court System.
If you're unsure which court is handling your case, call the Judicial Center office or check the case type through the Maine eCourts system.
Penobscot Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of court hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week can be found in several ways.
- Call the court office at (207) 561-2300 — the clerk can inform you of the time and room of a specific hearing.
- Check online through Maine eCourts. The Maine eCourts system covers Penobscot County Superior Court and Bangor District Court. Case parties can access electronic records remotely by providing their email address to the court — more details on the electronic court records access page.
- Visit the court in person. Public terminals in the Judicial Center building allow you to view the hearing schedule without an appointment.
Hearing schedules are usually updated daily. However, changes can occur at the last minute — a judge may reschedule or cancel a hearing. Therefore, it's advisable to confirm the information by phone before traveling to the court.
How to Get a Copy of a Penobscot Court Document
Most court documents in Maine are public, except for juvenile cases, sealed records, and some family cases with restricted access. To obtain a copy, first determine whether you need a regular (uncertified) or certified copy.
A certified copy includes the official stamp and signature of the court clerk. It is required for legal procedures — filing in another court, confirming a conviction or lack thereof, document processing. A regular copy is suitable for personal review.
Ways to Obtain
- In person: visit the Penobscot Judicial Center office. You will need the case number or the full name of the party and the approximate date of filing.
- By mail: send a written request specifying the case number, document type, and contact information. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
- Online: through the Maine eCourts system, case parties can view and download individual documents. Remote access for the general public is limited — some records are only available at court terminals.
Necessary court forms can be downloaded for free from the Maine Judicial Branch website in PDF format.
Criminal History
If you need a general criminal history check rather than a specific court document copy, use the online criminal history request service from the Maine State Police. This service provides information on adult convictions and juvenile decisions maintained by the State Bureau of Identification.
Penobscot Court Records Fees & Payment
Court service fees in Maine are set at the state level. Below are the main fees applicable when requesting documents from Penobscot County courts.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Regular copy of a court document (per page) | $0.50 |
| Document certification | $5.00 per document |
| Certified copy of a court decision | $5.00 + $0.50 for each additional page |
| Court records search (per request) | $5.00 |
| Online criminal history request (Maine State Police) | $31.00 |
Payment at the court office is accepted in cash, check, or money order made payable to "Treasurer, State of Maine." Some courts also accept credit and debit cards — confirm this when contacting them.
For online criminal history requests through the Maine online services portal, payment is made by card. The $31.00 fee covers the processing of the request by the State Bureau of Identification and returns only conviction information.
Please note: fees may change. Before sending a request by mail, contact the court office to confirm the current amount and acceptable forms of payment.