Title 4, Title 4

1. Juvenile proceeding or criminal prosecution. A juvenile proceeding or criminal prosecution, including traffic, shall be brought in the division in which the offense charged took place, but if the proceeding involves 2 or more offenses committed in different divisions, it may b…

1. Pending new rules. Pending promulgation of new rules as provided in subsection 2: A. The rules of procedure now in effect for cases and proceedings within the jurisdiction vested by this chapter in the District Court shall apply. B. Appeals from the District Court shall be hea…

1. Appointment. District Court Judges are appointed as follows. A. The Governor, subject to review by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over judiciary matters and to confirmation by the Legislature, shall appoint to the District Court 42 judges, …

Any Judge of the District Court who has retired from the court under this chapter prior to December 1, 1984, or any Judge of the District Court who retires or terminates that judge's service on the court in accordance with chapter 27, except for a disability retirement, is eligib…

A Judge or an Active Retired Judge of the District Court may be assigned by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court to sit in the Superior Court in any county and when so directed has authority and jurisdiction therein as if a regular Justice of the Superior Court; and wh…

Any Active Retired Judge of the District Court who performs judicial service at the direction and assignment of the Chief Judge of the District Court is compensated for those services at the rate of $350 per day or $200 per 1/2 day, as long as the total compensation received unde…

Judges and clerks of the District Court are, ex officio, notaries public, and all their official acts, attested by them in either capacity, except those pertaining to the exclusive jurisdiction of judges and clerks of District Courts, are of equal effect. Judges and clerks of the…

For each division, for the violations bureau and for the office of the Chief Judge, the Chief Judge shall appoint clerks and deputy clerks as necessary. A clerk of the Superior Court may also serve as the clerk of the District Court. If the business of any division or the violati…

The Chief Judge of the District Court may authorize any attorney-at-law, who is duly licensed to practice law in the State, to receive complaints and to issue process for the arrest of persons charged with offenses, to issue search warrants and to endorse certificates of commitme…

In each division, the place for holding court must be located in a state, county or municipal building designated by the Chief Judge who, with the advice and approval of the Bureau of General Services, is empowered to negotiate on behalf of the State the leases, contracts and oth…

1. District Court funds. Except as otherwise provided by law, all fines, forfeitures, surcharges, assessments and fees collected in any division of the District Court or by the violations bureau must be paid to the clerk of that District Court, who shall deposit them in a special…

The Chief Judge shall be responsible to and under the supervision of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court for the operation of the District Court and shall serve as Chief Judge at the pleasure of the Chief Justice. To this end the Chief Judge shall: [PL 1975, c. 408, §…

The clerk of each division may accept a guilty plea to a criminal traffic offense upon payment of a fine and surcharge in accordance with a schedule of offenses and fines established by the Chief Judge. A person tendering payment of a fine without filing a signed waiver is deemed…

1. Crimes; under one year imprisonment. The District Court has jurisdiction and, except as provided in Title 29‑A, section 2602, concurrent jurisdiction with the Superior Court of all crimes, including violation of any statute or a bylaw of a town, village corporation or local he…

A Judge of the District Court may order a person, who is accused of an offense, to be examined by a physician without delay, to determine whether or not such person is insane. The cost of such examination shall be paid from the treasury of the county in which the action is pendin…

Judges of the District Court and notaries public may administer all oaths required by law, unless another officer is specially required to do it.

Upon view of an affray, riot, assault or battery, Judges of the District Court may, without warrant, command the assistance of any sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable or person present to repress the same and to arrest all concerned therein.

When complaint is made to the proper officer of the District Court charging a person with the commission of a criminal offense, that officer shall issue a warrant for the person's arrest or a summons in such form and under such circumstances as the Supreme Judicial Court may by r…

1. Traffic infraction. When a complaint is made to the proper officer of the District Court charging a person with the commission of a traffic infraction the officer of the District Court shall cause to be served upon the person a Violation Summons and Complaint or other process …

Whenever a District Judge is unable to attend court, any clerk of the District Court may continue any case in such court for a period of not more than 14 days.

The following provisions shall apply to the District Court: 1. Definitions and limitations. This section applies only to costs and fees arising from the criminal and civil violation proceedings in the District Court. When any criminal or civil violation case is appealed from such…

Costs in the amount of $25 shall be automatically taxable for the State in civil violation and traffic infraction proceedings for failure to pay a fine imposed for the commission of a civil violation or traffic infraction within 30 days of entry of judgment or within 30 days of t…

The Supreme Judicial Court shall have the authority to prescribe rules establishing the fees of the District Courts.

No Judge of a District Court division shall demand or receive any fees for entering an appeal or admitting to bail to prosecute it, in a criminal or traffic infraction case. The legal fees therefor may be taxed in the bill of costs, and certified and paid like other fees.

All process of the District Court shall run throughout the State, and may be served outside of the division from which issued with the same effect as if served within such division.

A District Court Judge may issue warrants to conduct administrative searches in such manner, for such purposes and under such circumstances as the Supreme Judicial Court shall by rule provide.

A District Court Judge may issue warrants to conduct surveys and tests on land that is under consideration for purchase or taking through eminent domain by the State or any of its political subdivisions. The Supreme Judicial Court shall provide by rule the manner and circumstance…

There is established within the District Court a Family Division that has jurisdiction over family matters filed in District Court. The Family Division shall provide a system of justice that is responsive to the needs of families and the support of their children. The Supreme Jud…

1. Notice and hearing. In any action within the District Court's jurisdiction under section 152, subsection 9, all parties must be afforded an opportunity for hearing after reasonable notice. 2. Complaint filed. On commencement of any case, a written complaint must be filed with …