Penobscot County
Penobscot County occupies an area measuring 3,557 square miles and houses the University of Maine. Its name is rooted in an Abenaki Indian word meaning “rocky place.†The 2023 population estimate revealed that 152,199 people lived in the county, with the white racial group accounting for about 92.3% of the total population.
Within the Penobscot County court system, there are Superior, District, and Probate Courts. The Penobscot County Superior Court is the only court that conducts jury trials and has the authority to hear a wide range of criminal and civil cases. Typically, this court handles adult criminal cases, including murder, class A, B, and C offenses, class D and E cases where the defendant requests a jury trial, and civil cases in which the plaintiff requests equitable relief.
Equally, Penobscot District Courts, such as those in Bangor, Lincoln, Newport, and Millinocket, preside over both civil and criminal cases. However, they are distinct from the Superior Court in that they only deal with certain types of cases. They hear small claims cases, minor civil actions, motor vehicle violations, evictions, and family law matters. Furthermore, the Penobscot Probate Court addresses legal matters concerning wills and estates, name changes, guardianships, and a few family-related issues.
Public court records in Penobscot County consist of documents, forms, and exhibits that are maintained by the courts in relation to specific cases. These records are generated upon the filing of a complaint, with the Clerk of the Court documenting the progress of the case. Court records are preserved in both physical and electronic formats, although the transition to electronic storage began in 2018.
Depending on the case type, the Maine Rules of Electronic Court Systems (MRECS) control how the public can access court records created in the courts. These rules determine which court records are accessible remotely or only at the courthouse. As a result, Penobscot County public civil court records are the only electronic records accessible remotely through the re:SearchMaine resource. Other types of electronic records can be accessed strictly at the courthouse.
Individuals interested in obtaining paper records, such as those in criminal cases, may visit the Office of the Clerk where the case was filed with sufficient details, including party name, case type, and docket number. Alternatively, you can conduct your search by completing and sending a Records Search Request by mail to:
Judicial Branch Service Center
P.O. Box 266
Lewiston, ME 04240
