Rule 53. Books and Records Kept by the Clerk and Entries Therein

(a) Unified Criminal Docket. The clerk shall keep the Unified Criminal Docket and shall enter therein each criminal proceeding. Proceedings shall be assigned docket numbers. Upon the filing of an indictment, information, or complaint with the court, the first and last name and middle initial, and, if known, the State Identification Number, the Arrest Tracking Number, the Charge Tracking Number, date of birth, and address of the defendant shall be entered upon the docket. Thereafter the name and address of the attorney appearing for any defendant shall be entered. All papers filed with the clerk, all appearances, pleas, motions, orders, verdicts, findings, and judgments shall be noted chronologically upon the Unified Criminal Docket and shall be marked with the docket number. The notations shall briefly show the nature of each paper filed, writ issued, plea entered, or motion made and the substance of each order or judgment of the court and of the returns showing execution of process. The notation of an order or judgment shall show the date of the judgment or order, the date the judgment or order was received by the clerk, and the date the notation is made.

(b) Custody of Papers by Clerk. The clerk shall be answerable for all records and papers filed with the court, and they shall not be taken from the clerk's custody without special order of the court; but the parties may at all times have copies.

(c) Other Books and Records. The clerk shall keep such other books and records as may be required from time to time by the Chief Justice of the Superior Court or the Chief Judge of the District Court.

Committee Notes

Committee Advisory Note [December 2014] The Rule parallels the content of Rule 53 of the Maine Rules of Criminal Procedure but differs in the following respects. First, the heading to subdivision (a) is changed from " Criminal Docket " to " Unified Criminal Docket ." Second, in subdivision (a) the words "Unified Criminal Docket" replace the words "criminal docket."

[Advisory Notes to former Maine Rules of Criminal Procedure]

Advisory Committee Note—1983 [M.R. Crim. P. 53.] Rule 55(b) had implemented a statutory provision which has now been repealed. See 4 M.R.S. § 564, as amended.

Advisory Committee Note—1986 [M.R. Crim. P. 53.] The amendment is needed to reflect that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court has delegated to the Chief Justice of the Superior Court the authority to designate the books and records to be maintained by Superior Court clerks.

Advisory Committee Note—1989 [M.R. Crim. P. 53.] New Rule 53 contains with minor modifications the language of former Rule 55. Former Rule 53 has been deleted as the issue is governed by the Administrative Order in Regard to Photographic and Electronic Coverage of the Courts, effective 4/2/82 and amended 3/14/83 and 3/13/84.

Advisory Committee Note—2003 [M.R. Crim. P. 53(a).] This amendment deletes the current requirement that each original proceeding be assigned a "Universal Tracking Number" because the "Arrest Tracking Number" and "Charge Tracking Number" will serve as the unique identifiers. The amendment also directs that the "Arrest Tracking Number" and "Charge Tracking Number" be entered upon the docket, if known. See Advisory Committee Note to M.R. Crim. P. 3(f) and M.R. Crim. P. 7(f). See also Advisory Committee Note to M.R. Crim. P. 57.