AUGUSTA, Maine — Judges in Maine are nominated by the governor and must be confirmed by the state Senate.
For nominees, the governor relies on a Judicial Advisory Committee to vet candidates and make recommendations. Lawyers who want to be judges apply to the committee for consideration.
That committee is not required by law, according to its chairman, Joshua Tardy, a Newport lawyer and former Republican legislator. Instead, it is created for the express purpose of advising the governor.
The group, made up of seven lawyers, including Tardy, screens candidates for judgeships and judges for reappointment.
In considering whether to recommend a judge’s reappointment, Tardy said his committee looks at the individual’s performance, temperament, intellect and efficiency in handling cases among other things.
“We look to see if there are problems or formal complaints but try not to make judgments based on a particular decision,” he said. “We do value input from members of the bar and legal services organizations. The governor’s office does from time to time get complaints about state employees. If they are about judges, they are passed on to the committee.”
Tardy said that the governor also interviews some nominees.
Once a judicial candidate is named, a hearing on the nomination is held before the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee, which recommends to the Senate whether the nominee should be confirmed or not.
Judges serve seven-year terms and then are eligible for reappointment.