Criminal records in Kennebec County, Maine, are available through several channels. KennebecCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information on criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the official state court system, county law enforcement agencies, and the court clerk's office—both online and in person or by mail.
How to Search Criminal Records in Kennebec
Begin your search by specifying the person's full name, date of birth, or case number. Each method has its advantages depending on the specific information you are seeking.
Online Search
- KennebecCourt.us — enter the name or case number to find publicly available data on criminal cases in the county.
- Maine eCourts — the judicial branch portal of the state of Maine. Kennebec County Unified Criminal Docket (UCD) and Superior Court are part of the system. Case parties can gain remote access to electronic records by providing the court's email address.
- Maine Criminal History Record Request — an online service of the Maine State Police (State Bureau of Identification). It only issues information on adult convictions.
- Department of Corrections Inmate Search — a free search for information on adult residents of state correctional facilities.
- Current Inmate List — the Kennebec County Sheriff's Office publishes an up-to-date list of individuals in the county correctional facility.
In-Person Visit
The Kennebec County Superior Court Clerk's Office accepts requests to view court cases. The court is located at the Capital Judicial Center:
Public access terminals allow you to view case materials directly in the courthouse.
You can also contact the sheriff's office records division for incident and arrest reports. Payment is by cash or money order.
Mail Request
To obtain a complete criminal history, send a written request to the State Bureau of Identification via the official state police website. Requests to the court clerk's office are also accepted by mail—include the person's full name, date of birth, and case number (if known). You can also submit a request under the Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA).
Search Kennebec Criminal Cases by Case Number
The case number is the most accurate way to search. In Maine, criminal cases typically follow this format:
- Court Prefix — a letter designation for the county and court type (e.g., KENSC for Kennebec Superior Court or KENUCD for Unified Criminal Docket).
- Year — two or four digits of the year the case was filed.
- Sequential Number — a unique numerical identifier within the year.
Example: a case might look like KENUCD-CR-2024-00123, where CR indicates a criminal case. If you have the case number, enter it into the Maine eCourts system or contact the court clerk's office directly. A partial number can also help the clerk locate the case.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Kennebec
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the Maine Revised Statutes (e.g., Title 17-A) |
| Severity | Felony, Misdemeanor, Civil Violation |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may modify or drop certain charges during the case |
Case Status
- Pending — the case has been filed but not yet resolved.
- Active — the case is currently being heard in court.
- Disposed — the court has issued a decision.
- Closed — all procedural actions are complete.
Types of Court Hearings
- Arraignment — the first presentation of charges; the defendant states their plea (guilty / not guilty).
- Preliminary hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case.
- Pre-trial conference — parties discuss the possibility of a plea agreement or prepare for trial.
- Sentencing — the imposition of a penalty after a guilty plea.
- Review hearing — checks compliance with probation terms or other court orders.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted after trial |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a conviction |
| Acquitted | Acquitted by a jury or judge |
| Deferred Disposition | Decision postponed; charges may be dropped upon meeting conditions |
Note: Maine does not use the term "withheld judgment" in the traditional sense. Instead, the court may apply deferred disposition. Sealed cases do not appear in public search systems—learn more about sealing criminal records.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Kennebec
Certified copies are officially verified documents suitable for submission to a court, employer, or government agency. Depending on the type of record, contact one of the following agencies:
Clerk of Court
To obtain certified copies of court documents—judgments, hearing transcripts, decisions—contact the Kennebec County Superior Court Clerk's Office.
Requests can be made in person or by mail. You must have a photo ID. In your letter, include the defendant's full name, case number, and the type of document needed.
Kennebec County Sheriff's Office
Incident and arrest reports are issued by the sheriff's office records division. Payment is accepted by cash or money order.
State-Level Criminal History
A complete criminal history check is conducted by the State Bureau of Identification at the Maine State Police. A public online request is available through the Criminal History Record Request service. This service only issues adult convictions. To obtain a full report (including arrests without convictions), a fingerprint-based request is required—contact the State Bureau of Identification.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Kennebec
| Service | Cost | Source / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Incident or arrest report (sheriff's office) | $10.00 | Payment by cash or money order; credit cards and personal checks not accepted |
| Public criminal history request (online, SBI) | Varies by request type; check the Maine State Police website | Maine Criminal History Record Request |
| Certified court document copy (court clerk's office) | Check with the clerk's office; fees typically charged per page plus certification fee | Kennebec County Superior Court Clerk's Office |
| Fingerprint-based check (SBI) | Check with the State Bureau of Identification | SBI |
Processing Times
- Sheriff's office reports — usually ready within a few business days for in-person requests.
- Online criminal history request (SBI) — results are typically available within minutes after payment.
- Mail requests to the court clerk's office — processing can take from one to several weeks depending on workload.
The regulation of access to criminal records in Maine is defined by Title 16, Chapter 7 Maine Revised Statutes. Some records may be restricted from public access, including juvenile cases and sealed cases.