Legal Help & Guides

Legal Disclaimer: The Maine Judicial Branch and the Administrative Office of the Courts are not permitted to give legal advice. Guides and publications, and links to external websites are made available as a public service, and do not constitute legal advice. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information presented is accurate, comprehensive, and clear, the Judicial Branch does not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of the information. If you have any questions about your legal rights you may consult an attorney.

Lawyers & Legal Help

Legal Aid Resources in Maine

A list of organizations in Maine that offer legal services. Most agencies offer services for low income, the elderly, or people with disabilities.

See all legal aid resources

MSBA Lawyer Referral Service

The Maine State Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service charges a $35 administrative fee, and referred attorneys will not charge for the first half-hour of a consultation. After the first half-hour, standard legal fees may apply. Everyone is eligible for this service.

Call (800) 860-1460 or mainebar.community.lawyer/go/1.  

Courthouse Assistance Projects (CHAP)

Volunteer attorneys provide free 30 minute consultations to people in need of assistance in a variety of civil legal matters, including family law, small claims, protection orders, and other matters. Assistance with Protection from Abuse cases is available after referral from a DV resource center. Multiple appointments are available as needed. For contact information and to learn more about CHAP clinics, visit https://www.vlp.org/family-matters-1.

Maine Commission on Public Defense Services

Provides lawyers to low-income people in criminal cases, juvenile cases, emancipation cases, child protection cases, and involuntary commitment cases. For more information: https://www.maine.gov/pds/.

Maine Law

Uniform Maine Citations

Originally prepared by Michael D. Seitzinger and Charles K. Leadbetter, members of the Maine Bar, Uniform Maine Citations provides updated rules for the citation of Maine legal authorities, including constitutional provisions, statutory and legislative materials, judicial decisions, court rules, treatises, periodicals, and miscellaneous Maine authorities.

digitalcommons.mainelaw.maine.edu/uniform-maine-citations

Sources of Maine Law

Consumer Protection

Guides & Publications

The Judicial Branch has published a number of guides and publications for non-attorneys that outline a person's rights, responsibilities, and court process, as well as provide steps on how to file various types of cases.

See all guides and publications

 

Libraries

Ask a Law Librarian

Reference librarians at the Maine State Law and Legislative Library will research and respond via email to requests that can be answered briefly and are of a legal, legislative, or governmental nature.

Maine State Law and Legislative Library

The Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library in Augusta, a division of the Maine Legislature, is the state's public law library. The library is staffed full-time, provides reference services over the phone and via email, and mails materials to Maine residents.

Interested in borrowing a book?
Contact the library directly to ask to borrow materials, or place a request through your local library.

  • Books can be delivered in one of three ways:
    • In-person pickup.
    • At your local library, if you place your request through your local library.
    • By mail.

The library also offers legal ebooks which can be read remotely from a desktop computer, tablet, or smart phone. Maine residents with proof of address can sign up to read any of the 900+ titles published by LexisNexis, the American Bar Association, and West Academic. For more information, contact the library at (207) 287-1600.

The Nathan and Henry B. Cleaves Law Library

The Nathan and Henry B. Cleaves Law Library provides legal research and assistance to all lawyers, to the courts and to the public. The library strives to maintain a complete and up-to-date collection of materials in an appropriate physical setting, and to deliver competent, professional research assistance that allows patrons to make full use of the Library's resources.

www.cleaves.org

Penobscot County Law Library

The Penobscot County Law Library at the Penobscot Judicial Center in Bangor has patron access to Westlaw, a comprehensive electronic research service. Hardbound materials include the Maine Revised Statutes, the Maine Reporter, and several Maine-specific treatises. These are for reference only and are not to be taken from the library. The Penobscot County Law Library is staffed part-time.

Donald L. Garbrecht Law Library

The Donald L. Garbrecht Law Library supports the research and educational needs of the students, faculty and staff at the University of Maine School of Law. The Library provides assistance to the state's judiciary, members of the bar, the legal community, and the general public.

mainelaw.maine.edu/library

Other Resources

  • Legal Services Food Hub (Free service that connects eligible farmers, food entrepreneurs, and food-related organizations to volunteer attorneys).
  • Stateside Legal (Self-help tools for veterans, service members, and their families).