Me. R.U. Crim. P. 37 (2026)

RULE 37. [RESERVED]

RULE 38. STAY OF EXECUTION OF SENTENCE (a) Sentence Involving Imprisonment, Probation, Supervised Release, or Administrative Release. (b) Sentence Involving Alternatives Other than Imprisonment, Probation, Supervised Release, or Administrative Release. (c) Automatic Termination of Stay. (d) Surrender of Defendant Following Automatic Termination of Stay.

RULES 39 [RESERVED]

VIII. SUPPLEMENTARY AND SPECIAL PROCEEDINGS

RULE 40 [RESERVED]

RULE 41. SEARCH AND SEIZURE (a) Scope (b) Authority to Issue a Search Warrant. (c) Grounds for Issuance of a Search Warrant. (d) Definition of Property. (e) Requesting a Search Warrant. (f) Issuing a Search Warrant. (g) Execution and Return with Inventory. (h) Return of Papers to Clerk. (i) Attorney for State to File Notice. (j) Motion for Return of Property.

RULE 41A. MOTION TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE (a) Grounds of Motion. (b) Time of Making Motion. (c) Hearing. (d) Order.

RULE 41B. SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR SEARCHES AND SEIZURES OF CERTAIN KINDS OF PROPERTY (a) Electronically Stored Information. (b) Information derived from a tracking device. (c) Cell Phone or Other Electronic Device Location Information. (d) Cell Phone or Other Portable Electronic Device Content Information.

RULE 41C. SEARCH WARRANT REQUEST MADE BY APPLICANT OUTSIDE THE PRESENCE OF THE COURT OR JUSTICE OF THE PEACE (a) In General. (b) Procedures to be Applied. (c) Suppression Limited.

RULE 42. CONTEMPT PROCEEDINGS

IX. GENERAL PROVISIONS

RULE 43. PRESENCE OF THE DEFENDANT

RULE 43A. PHYSICAL RESTRAINT OF JUVENILES

RULE 44. RIGHT TO AND ASSIGNMENT OF COUNSEL (a) Assignment of Counsel. (b) Determination of Indigency. (c) Compensation of Counsel. (d) Appearance of Defense Counsel. (e) Bar Registration Number.

RULE 44A. PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINATION OF INDIGENCY AFTER VERDICT OR FINDING (a) Petition and Hearing. (b) Order. (c) Review.

RULE 44B. WITHDRAWAL OF COUNSEL

RULE 44C. APPLICATION TO MAINE COMMISSION ON INDIGENT LEGAL SERVICES FOR FUNDS FOR EXPERT OR INVESTIGATIVE ASSISTANCE FOR INDIGENT DEFENDANT

RULE 45. TIME (a) Computation. (b) Enlargement. (c) Unaffected by Expiration of Term. (d) For Motions; Affidavits. (e) Additional Time After Service by Mail.

RULE 46. CERTAIN PROCEDURAL PROVISIONS GOVERNING BAIL (a) In General. (b) Bail by a Bail Commissioner. (c) Bail Given on Appeal; Place of Deposit. (d) Redetermination of Bail by Another Justice or Judge.

(e) Review of Bail by or Appeal to a Single Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court. (f) Statement to Person Offering Surety for a Defendant. (g) Forfeiture. (h) Exoneration. (i) Bail for Witness.

RULE 47. MOTIONS AND MOTION DAY (a) Motions. (b) Motion Day. (c) Motion for Enlargement of Time or for Continuance.

RULE 48. DISMISSAL (a) By the Attorney for the State. (b) By the Court.

RULE 49. SERVICE AND FILING OF PAPERS (a) Service: When Required. (b) Service: How Made. (c) Notice of Orders. (d) Filing. (e) Form of Papers.

RULE 50. CLERICAL MISTAKES

RULE 51. EXCEPTIONS UNNECESSARY

RULE 52. HARMLESS ERROR AND OBVIOUS ERROR (a) Harmless Error. (b) Obvious Error.

RULE 53. BOOKS AND RECORDS KEPT BY THE CLERK AND ENTRIES THEREIN (a) Unified Criminal Docket. (b) Custody of Papers by Clerk. (c) Other Books and Records.

RULE 53A. CUSTODY OF NONDOCUMENTARY EXHIBITS. (a) During Trial or Hearing.

(b) After Trial or Hearing. (c) After Final Determination.

RULE 54. COURTS AND CLERKS (a) Court Always Open. (b) Clerk’s Office.

RULE 55. VISITING LAWYERS (a) In General. (b) Appearances by Service Lawyers.

RULE 56. LEGAL ASSISTANCE BY LAW STUDENTS (a) Permitted Activities on Behalf of a Criminal Defendant. (b) Permitted Activities on Behalf of the State. (c) Written Consent and Approval. (d) Other Conditions.

RULE 57. DEFINITIONS (a) Arrest Tracking Number (ATN). (b) Attorney for the State. (c) Charge Tracking Number (CTN). (d) Court. (e) District Court Judge. (f) State Identification Number. (g) Superior Court Justice. (h) Statute Sequence Number. (i) Unified Criminal Docket

RULES 58 TO 64. [RESERVED]

X. PROCEEDINGS FOR POST-CONVICTION REVIEW

RULE 65. NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING

RULE 66. PREREQUISITES TO AN ADJUDICATION ON THE MERITS

RULE 67. FORM AND CONTENTS OF THE PETITION (a) Form Prescribed by Supreme Judicial Court. (b) Challenges Allowed in Single Petition.

(c) Designation of Respondent. (d) Identification of Criminal Judgment, Post-sentencing Proceeding, Court, and Date. (e) Prerequisites to an Adjudication on the Merits; Reasons for Relief and Facts in Support Thereof. (f) Specification of Relief Sought.

RULE 68. FILING OF THE PETITION

RULE 69. ASSIGNED COUNSEL (a) Compliance With 15 M.R.S. ch. 305-A by Petitioner. (b) Determination of Indigency; Assignment and Compensation of Counsel. (c) Continuing Duty of Counsel to Represent Petitioner.

RULE 69A. ASSIGNED JUDGE OR JUSTICE (a) Assignment by Chief Justice of the Superior Court or by Designee. (b) Assignment of Trial Justice or Judge. (c) Assignment Other Than of the Trial Justice or Trial Judge.

RULE 70. REVIEW OF THE PETITION BY THE COURT; SUMMARY DISMISSAL; RESPONSE; AMENDMENT TO THE PETITION; WITHDRAWAL OF PETITION; DISMISSAL OF PETITION WITH PREJUDICE FOR FAILURE TO PROSECUTE (a) Review of Petition by the Court. (b) Summary Dismissal or Stay of the Petition. (c) Response; Amendment to Petition. (d) Withdrawal of Petition. (e) Dismissal of Petition for Failure to Prosecute.

RULE 71. RESPONSE (a) When Required. (b) Enlargement of Time to File. (c) Contents of Response. (d) Materials Attached to or Filed With Response.

RULE 71A. FILING A RESPONSE SEEKING DISMISSAL; TIMELY DISPOSITION BY ASSIGNED JUSTICE

RULE 72. DISCOVERY (a) In General. (b) Discovery From Former Defense Counsel.

RULE 72A. CONFERENCE FOLLOWING THE FILING OF THE PLEADINGS (a) Scheduling. (b) Matters to Be Considered at Conference.

RULE 73. EVIDENTIARY HEARING, BRIEFS AND ARGUMENTS (a) Evidentiary Hearing. (b) Time for Briefs When No Hearing. (c) Time for Briefs When Hearing Held. (d) Oral Argument.

RULE 73A. MOTION FOR JUDGMENT

RULE 74. BAIL PENDING FINAL DISPOSITION OF THE PETITION (a) Application to the Court. (b) Standards Governing Bail. (c) Revocation of Bail Pending Final Disposition of Petition.

RULE 75. BAIL PENDING APPEAL WHEN RELIEF IS GRANTED TO THE PETITIONER (a) Application to the Court. (b) Standards Governing Bail Pending Appeal. (c) Revocation of Bail Granted Pending Appeal.

RULE 75A. STAY OF EXECUTION (a) Bail Pending Final Disposition. (b) Bail Pending Appeal.

RULES 76 TO 84. [RESERVED]

XI. EXTRADITION PROCEEDINGS

RULE 85. NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS

RULE 86. ASSIGNMENT OF COUNSEL

RULE 87. DISCOVERY

RULES 88 TO 94 [RESERVED]

XII. POSTCONVICTION MOTION FOR DNA ANALYSIS; NEW TRIAL HEARING

RULE 95. INITIATION OF PROCEEDINGS (a) Person Entitled to Bring a Motion; Filing and Service. (b) Docketing and Assignment.

RULE 96. ASSIGNMENT OF COUNSEL (a) Compliance with 15 M.R.S. § 2138(3). (b) Determination of Indigency; Assignment and Compensation; Continuing Duty to Represent.

RULE 97. INITIAL TRIAL COURT PROCEEDINGS (a) Order Preserving Evidence. (b) Court Findings; Order Directing Crime Lab to Perform DNA Analysis. (c) Payment of Cost of DNA Analysis.

RULE 98. DNA ANALYSIS RESULTS (a) Compliance With 15 M.R.S. § 2138(8). (b) Analysis Results Other Than That the Person Is Not the Source of the Evidence. (c) Analysis Results Showing the Person Is Not the Source of the Evidence. (d) Request for Reanalysis by the Attorney for the State.

RULE 99. HEARING; COURT FINDINGS; NEW TRIAL GRANTED OR DENIED

XIII. POST-JUDGMENT MOTION AND HEARING FOR DETERMINATION OF FACTUAL INNOCENCE AND CORRECTION OF RECORD BASED ON A PERSON’S IDENTITY HAVING BEEN STOLEN AND FALSELY USED IN A CRIMINAL PROCEEDING; SUBSEQUENT DISCOVERY OF FRAUD OR MISREPRESENTATION

RULE 105. INITIATION OF PROCEEDINGS (a) Person or Entity Entitled to File a Post-Judgment Motion.

(b) Docketing and Assignment of Post-Judgment Motion. (c) Service of the Post-Judgment Motion.

RULE 106. ASSIGNMENT OF COUNSEL (a) Compliance with 15 M.R.S. § 2183(2). (b) Determination of Indigency; Assignment and Compensation; Continuing Duty to Represent.

RULE 107. REPRESENTATION OF THE STATE

RULE 108. HEARING; CERTIFICATION OF RESULTS; CORRECTION OF THE RECORD

RULE 109. SUBSEQUENT DISCOVERY OF FRAUD OR MISREPRESENTATION

XIV. CIVIL VIOLATIONS

RULE 110. CIVIL VIOLATIONS (a) Applicability. (b) Commencement of Proceedings. (c) Content of Citation and Complaint. (d) Pleadings of Defendant. (e) Venue. (f) Discovery. (g) Standard of Proof. (h) Default. (i) Appeal. (j) Costs. (k) Notice of Orders or Judgments.

RULE 111. SEARCH WARRANTS FOR SCHEDULE Z DRUGS (a) Issuance of Search Warrant. (b) Suppression of Evidence.

MAINE RULES OF UNIFIED CRIMINAL PROCEDURE With Advisory Notes to the Maine Rules of Unified Criminal Procedure; Advisory Notes to former Maine Rules of Criminal Procedure appear in red type.

I. SCOPE, PURPOSE, AND CONSTRUCTION