Verdict . News

Sep 23, 2025•4 min read

•Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed summary judgment for State Mutual Insurance Company

Maine Supreme Court Affirms Insurance Company Win in Creditor Case

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed summary judgment for State Mutual Insurance Company in a reach-and-apply action brought by judgment creditor Alicia Rowe. The case involved Rowe's attempt to access insurance proceeds from a negligence claim against property owners William and Gwen Chase.

•Case involved creditor's attempt to use reach-and-apply statute to access insurance funds

Aug 29, 2025•4 min read

•Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed domestic violence convictions involving dangerous weapons and child endangerment

Maine Supreme Court Upholds Domestic Violence Convictions, Orders Resentencing

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed Heather M. Hodgson's convictions for domestic violence with dangerous weapons and child endangerment but vacated her sentence for failing to meet mandatory minimum requirements.

•Court vacated sentence for failing to impose mandatory one-year minimum for dangerous weapon domestic violence offense

Aug 29, 2025•4 min read

•Maine Supreme Judicial Court vacated McLain's drug trafficking conviction due to Fifth Amendment violation during custodial interrogation

Maine Supreme Court Vacates Drug Conviction Over Fifth Amendment Violation

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court vacated Derric McLain's aggravated drug trafficking conviction, ruling that he never waived his privilege against self-incrimination during custodial interrogation. While the court affirmed the validity of the traffic stop and search that led to his arrest, it ordered a new trial on Fifth Amendment grounds.

•Court affirmed the validity of the traffic stop and search, rejecting Fourth Amendment challenges to the investigation

Aug 28, 2025•4 min read

•Seven property owners successfully appealed Planning Board's subdivision approval for six-unit development in Northeast Harbor

Maine Supreme Court Vacates Mount Desert Subdivision Approval

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court vacated a lower court ruling that upheld a Town of Mount Desert Planning Board decision approving a six-dwelling subdivision in Northeast Harbor. The state's highest court found the Planning Board erroneously failed to calculate open-space requirements mandated by the town's Subdivision Ordinance.

•Maine Supreme Judicial Court found Planning Board violated town ordinance by failing to calculate required open space

Aug 26, 2025•4 min read

•Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed Aaron Engroff's conviction on sexual contact charges despite constitutional challenges

Maine Supreme Court Upholds Sexual Assault Conviction Despite Constitutional Challenges

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed Aaron C. Engroff's conviction on sexual contact charges, rejecting his appeals based on speedy trial violations and challenges to video evidence. The court ruled that a video interview of the victim did not violate confrontation or due process rights.

•Court rejected arguments that video interview evidence violated confrontation and due process rights

Aug 26, 2025•4 min read

•Maine Supreme Judicial Court unanimously rejected the Chamber's constitutional challenge to PFML program rules

Maine Supreme Court Upholds Paid Family Leave Rules Against Challenge

Maine's highest court rejected a constitutional challenge from the Maine State Chamber of Commerce against state labor department rules implementing the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act. The Supreme Judicial Court ruled the department's administrative rules do not conflict with the underlying statute and do not constitute an unconstitutional taking of private property.

•Court found no conflict between Labor Department regulations and the 2023 Paid Family and Medical Leave Act

Aug 26, 2025•4 min read

•Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed convictions for gross sexual assault and violating release conditions

Maine Supreme Court Affirms Child Sexual Assault Conviction

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed the conviction of Chuck D. Schooley for gross sexual assault of a child and violating conditions of release. The court rejected Schooley's appeal challenging jury instructions and prosecutorial conduct during closing arguments.

•Defendant's appeal challenged missing jury instruction on specific unanimity and alleged prosecutorial misconduct