Criminal records in Somerset County, Maine, are available through several channels. SomersetMECourt.us allows you to search public information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, the Maine court system offers electronic access to case materials, and the Maine State Police maintain a centralized repository of criminal histories. Requests can also be made directly to the court clerk's office — in person, by mail, or by phone.
How to Search Criminal Records in Somerset
Start your search with SomersetMECourt.us, where you can find publicly available information about county criminal cases. For a more in-depth search, use one of the methods below.
Online Search
- Maine eCourts. The Maine eCourts system provides online access to public court records, including Somerset County Unified Criminal Docket (UCD) and Somerset County Superior Court cases. Electronic access to Somerset County records is planned to expand after February 2026 — details are described on the electronic court records access page.
- Criminal History via State Police. The online criminal history request service by Maine State Police allows you to obtain conviction information maintained by the State Bureau of Identification (SBI). Note: court records in a case and a person's criminal history are different things.
- Inmate Search. If a person is under the supervision of the Department of Corrections, use the search for adult residents and community corrections clients.
In Person
The Somerset County Superior Court clerk's office accepts visitors during business hours. There you can review public case materials and order copies.
By Mail or Written Request
Send a written request to the court clerk's office at the address above. Include the person's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number. There is a fee for certified copies.
To obtain a complete criminal history, send a request to the Maine State Police, State Bureau of Identification.
What You Need for a Search
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth (preferably)
- Case number (if known)
Search Somerset Criminal Cases by Case Number
A case number in Maine consists of several elements, each carrying specific information. A typical format looks like this:
SOMCD-CR-2024-00123
- SOMCD — court code (SOM = Somerset, CD = Criminal Docket, i.e., unified criminal register)
- CR — case type (CR means criminal case)
- 2024 — year the case was filed
- 00123 — sequential case number
For cases in Superior Court, the prefix may differ — for example, SOMSC instead of SOMCD. The exact format depends on the court handling the case. If you do not know the case number, try searching by name through the clerk's office or the electronic court system.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Somerset
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the section and paragraph of the Maine Revised Statutes under which the charge is brought (e.g., Title 17-A, §208 — assault) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or civil violation |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or reduce charges during proceedings — the new charge is reflected in the case materials |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, and a decision has not yet been made
- Active — the case is in active proceedings
- Disposed — the court has made a decision (conviction, acquittal, or dismissal)
- Closed — all procedures are completed, including sentence execution
Types of Hearings
In criminal cases in the county, the following hearings usually occur:
- Arraignment — the defendant's first appearance before a judge, charges are announced
- Preliminary hearing — the judge determines if there is enough basis to continue the case
- Pre-trial conference — discussion between parties before trial
- Trial — substantive court hearing
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea or conviction
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant is found guilty |
| Not Guilty | The defendant is acquitted |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a substantive decision |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined to prosecute |
| Deferred Disposition | The decision is deferred under certain conditions — the case may be closed if the defendant meets them |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Somerset
Certified copies of court records are issued by the court clerk's office where the case was heard. For Somerset County criminal cases, this is typically the Somerset County Superior Court or Unified Criminal Docket.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person: visit the clerk's office at the address above with a photo ID
- By Mail: send a written request specifying the case number, party name, and type of document needed. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount
- Online: some documents are available through Maine's judicial branch online services, but certified copies usually require contacting the clerk's office
To obtain a complete criminal history (not records of a specific case), the request is submitted to the Maine State Police through the online criminal history request service. You need to provide the name, date of birth, and, if necessary, submit fingerprints.
Identification Documents
When visiting the court clerk's office in person, a photo ID (driver's license or passport) is usually sufficient. For a criminal history request through SBI, fingerprint submission may be required depending on the purpose of the request.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Somerset
Fees are determined by the Maine court system's rules and the internal rates of the respective institutions.
| Service | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (uncertified) | $0.50 per page | Standard Maine court clerk's office rate |
| Certified copy | $5.00 per document + $0.50 for each additional page | Certification with court seal |
| Public criminal history request (online, through Maine State Police) | $31.00 | Payment by credit or debit card through the online portal |
| Criminal history request with fingerprints | $41.00+ | Includes fingerprint processing; the exact amount depends on the type of request |
Processing Times
- Online criminal history request: results usually arrive within a few business days
- Copies of court documents (in person): simple copies are often issued on the day of the request
- Requests by mail: processing may take from one to several weeks, depending on the clerk's office workload
You can clarify current rates and times by calling the Somerset County Superior Court clerk's office at (207) 474-9518.