Cumberland County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Cumberland County is the most populous county in Maine, with over 303,357 residents. It covers 1,217 square miles, of which 835 square miles is land. The county seat, Portland, serves as both the largest city in the county and the primary location for county courts. The county's court system, consisting of the Superior Court, District Courts, and the Probate Court, plays a pivotal role in upholding law and order. These courts handle various legal matters annually, contributing significantly to the county's judicial operations. The Cumberland County Superior Court serves the court of general jurisdiction in the county. It presides over various civil and criminal cases, excluding those related to family matters, civil violations, and juvenile cases. Additionally, the court has authority over post-conviction reviews, cases seeking equitable relief, and appeals from decisions made by state and local administrative agencies. This court is the exclusive venue for jury trials in Cumberland County.

Cumberland District Courts handles cases involving civil violations, lower-level criminal offenses, traffic infractions, juvenile matters, and domestic relations cases such as divorce, custody, and child support. There are three district court locations in Cumberland: Portland, West Bath, and Bridgton. The Cumberland County Probate Court handles cases involving the distribution of estates and the legitimacy of wills. This court also processes name changes, minor and adult adoptions, minor and adult guardianships, and minor and adult conservatorships.

With a current crime rate of 11 incidents per 1000 people, Cumberland County has a well-structured court system prepared to address a wide range of legal matters, from civil cases to criminal prosecutions. With an annual caseload of over 6000 criminal cases, the court system contributes to reducing criminal offenses within the county. The court records in Cumberland County are meticulously organized and upheld by the Superior Court Clerk. Most of these records are available for public inspection upon request, and interested individuals can access them via the statewide electronic access portal. However, it is essential to note that certain records, including mental health civil commitment proceedings, minor settlement proceedings, trade secrets, requests for sexual assault kits, presentence reports, and images of minors, are exempt from public access.

In summary, the Cumberland County court system is responsible for adjudicating all legal disputes within the county. It consists of the Superior Court, District Courts, and the Probate Court. The Superior Court handles major criminal and civil cases, while the District Courts deal with minor criminal and civil cases. The Probate Court oversees matters related to wills, estates, and guardianships. These courts work together to ensure that justice is upheld across the county.