Verdict . News

Jan 13, 2026•4 min read

•Zackaria was convicted on one count of aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon (Class A) and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon (Class C)

Maine Supreme Court Affirms Assault Convictions in Zackaria Case

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed the conviction of Saad Zackaria on charges of aggravated assault and assault with a dangerous weapon, rejecting his appeals based on evidence suppression and speedy trial violations. The court upheld the trial court's denial of Zackaria's motions in the January 2026 decision.

•His appeal challenged the denial of his motion to suppress evidence obtained at Preble Street Resource Center and his motion to dismiss for speedy trial violations

Dec 23, 2025•4 min read

•Maine Supreme Court affirmed that defendants cannot use probation revocation proceedings to challenge underlying convictions

Maine Supreme Court Blocks Probation Challenge to Underlying Conviction

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled that defendants cannot use probation revocation proceedings to collaterally attack their underlying criminal convictions. The decision came in State of Maine v. Denis Lemieux, where the defendant attempted to void his domestic violence conviction during probation revocation hearings.

•Denis Lemieux violated probation by making threatening social media statements about protected family members

Dec 18, 2025•4 min read

•Maine Supreme Judicial Court unanimously affirmed Daniel Cardona's Class B unlawful sexual contact conviction

Maine Supreme Court Affirms Sexual Contact Conviction

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed Daniel Cardona's conviction for unlawful sexual contact with his 12-year-old great-niece, rejecting his appeals on evidentiary issues. The December 2025 ruling addressed disputes over testimony about subsequent sexual behavior and excluded evidence about alleged fabrication motives.

•Court rejected defendant's challenge to admission of testimony about subsequent sexual behavior directed at victim

Dec 4, 2025•4 min read

•Maine Supreme Court affirmed $6,000 judgment plus attorney fees against Shoreline Holdings for wrongful security deposit retention and habitability violations

Maine Supreme Court Upholds $6,000 Tenant Victory Over Landlord

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed a $6,000 judgment plus attorney fees against Shoreline Holdings Five, LLC, after tenants successfully sued for wrongful retention of their security deposit and breach of implied warranty of habitability.

•Landlord's appeal failed on both evidentiary sufficiency and attorney fee limit arguments

Dec 4, 2025•4 min read

•Maine Supreme Judicial Court reversed district court's denial of child support adjustment

Maine High Court Reverses Child Support Order in Shared Custody Case

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court vacated a district court's child support order, ruling that a father with equal custody should receive an adjustment to his support obligations following the birth of a new child. The decision clarifies Maine's child support statute interpretation.

•Case involved parents with equal shared custody of 10-year-old daughter

Nov 25, 2025•4 min read

•Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed credit union's right to reclaim financed snowmobile despite sale to third party

Maine Supreme Court Affirms Credit Union's Right to Reclaim Financed Snowmobile

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed a lower court ruling awarding The County Federal Credit Union possession of a 2022 Ski-Doo Expedition snowmobile from Michael Madore. The court rejected Madore's arguments that the credit union lacked a valid security interest and that he qualified as a bona fide purchaser for value without notice.

•Court rejected defendant's bona fide purchaser defense against properly perfected security interest

Nov 25, 2025•4 min read

•Maine Supreme Judicial Court unanimously affirmed district court's dismissal without prejudice of U.S. Bank foreclosure action

Maine Court Affirms Dismissal of U.S. Bank Foreclosure Action

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed a district court's dismissal without prejudice of a foreclosure action by U.S. Bank against Richard and Shirley Jewett. Third-party creditor Unifund CCR Partners, which holds a judgment lien on the property, unsuccessfully appealed the dismissal.

•Third-party creditor Unifund CCR Partners unsuccessfully appealed the dismissal, arguing it would not preclude future foreclosure actions

Oct 30, 2025•5 min read

•Maine Supreme Court affirmed District Court's denial of Hague Convention petition seeking child's return to Greece

Maine Supreme Court Upholds Denial of Hague Convention Return Petition

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed a lower court's decision denying a Greek-Australian father's petition under the Hague Convention to return his child to Greece during divorce proceedings. The court found Peter Xamplas failed to file within the required timeframe and that mother Michele Xamplas successfully established the well-settled-child defense.

•Father Peter Xamplas failed to meet one-year filing deadline and mother Michele Xamplas successfully established well-settled-child defense

Sep 30, 2025•4 min read

•Former resource parents sought to intervene in child protection case after Department removed children from their care after 19 months

Maine Supreme Court Dismisses Foster Parents' Child Custody Appeal

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court dismissed an appeal by former resource parents who sought to intervene in a child protection case after the Department of Health and Human Services removed two children from their care after 19 months. The court ruled the district court's orders denying intervention were not appealable.

•Maine Supreme Judicial Court dismissed the appeal, ruling district court orders denying intervention were not appealable