Wayne R. Douglas
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2023 - Present
2030
2
Wayne R. Douglas is a judge of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. He assumed office on March 10, 2023. His current term ends on February 17, 2030.
Douglas is also a judge of the Maine District Court.
Douglas was nominated by Governor Janet T. Mills (D) to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court on February 1, 2023. The Maine State Senate confirmed his nomination on February 14, 2023. Douglas succeeded Thomas Humphrey, who retired in March 2022. Douglas was Governor Janet Mills' (D) fifth nominee to the seven-member supreme court.[1][2] To learn more about this appointment, click here.
Douglas is a judge for the Biddeford District Court in York County, Maine.[3] He was appointed to the court by former Independent Governor Angus King in 2002, and was re-appointed in 2010 by former Democratic Governor John Baldacci.[4][5]
On May 26, 2015, Republican Governor Paul LePage nominated Douglas to the York County Superior Court to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Paul Fritzsche in July 2015. His nomination will now need to be confirmed by the Maine State Senate.[6]
Biography
Wayne R. Douglas lives in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. Douglas earned an undergraduate degree from Bates College and a J.D. from the University of Maine. His career experience includes working as chief legal counsel to then-Governor Angus King and an associate commissioner with the Maine Department of Mental Health.[6][7]
Appointments
2023
Maine Governor Janet T. Mills (D) nominated Judge Wayne R. Douglas to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court on February 1, 2023. The Maine State Senate confirmed his nomination on February 14, 2023. Douglas succeeded Thomas Humphrey, who retired in March 2022. Douglas was Governor Janet Mills' (D) fifth nominee to the seven-member supreme court.[1][8]
At the time of the vacancy, Maine law required that the governor appoint a justice with confirmation by the Maine State Senate. New appointees served a seven-year term.
State supreme court judicial selection in Maine
- See also: Judicial selection in Maine
The seven justices of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court are appointed by the governor with confirmation from the Maine State Senate.[9]
Justices serve for seven years after their appointment. To continue to serve on the court, they must be reappointed by the governor and reconfirmed by the Maine State Senate.[9]
Qualifications
State law requires that supreme court justices be "learned in the law."[10]
Chief justice
In Maine, the position of chief justice is a specific seat on the court (similar to the Supreme Court of the United States) rather than a peer-selected leadership position. The chief justice is appointed in the same manner as the other justices on the court.[9]
Vacancies
If a midterm vacancy occurs on the court, the seat is filled as it normally would be if the vacancy occurred at the end of a justice's term. The governor appoints a justice with confirmation by the Maine State Senate. The new appointee serves a seven-year term.[9]
The map below highlights how vacancies are filled in state supreme courts across the country.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 State of Maine Office of Governor Janet T. Mills, "Governor Mills Nominates Veteran Superior Court Justice to Maine Supreme Judicial Court," February 1, 2023
- ↑ Maine Public, "York County judge confirmed for Maine Supreme Court vacancy," February 16, 2023
- ↑ State of Maine Judicial Branch, "District Court Judges," accessed May 27, 2015
- ↑ Bangor Daily News, "Governor nominates three for judgeships," February 10, 2010
- ↑ WGME, "Governor nominates 3 to Maine courts," February 10, 2010
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Portland Press Herald, "LePage nominates three judges to Maine Superior Court," May 26, 2015
- ↑ Office of Governor Janet T. Mills, "Governor Mills Swears In Wayne Douglas As Associate Justice on Maine Supreme Judicial Court," March 10, 2023
- ↑ Maine Public, "York County judge confirmed for Maine Supreme Court vacancy," February 16, 2023
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Maine," accessed September 15, 2021
- ↑ Maine Legislature, "Title 4: Judiciary, Chapter 1: Supreme Judicial Court - §1. Constitution of the court; administrative responsibilities of the court and the Chief Justice," accessed April 3, 2023
Federal courts:
First Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Maine • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Maine
State courts:
Maine Supreme Judicial Court • Maine Superior Court • Maine Business and Consumer Court • Maine District Courts • Maine Family Division • Maine Juvenile Court • Maine Probate Courts • Maine Small Claims Court • Maine Treatment Court
State resources:
Courts in Maine • Maine judicial elections • Judicial selection in Maine
