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Madawaska District Court Closing on November 1, 2025
Date: 8/22/2025
The Maine Judicial Branch announced today that following legislative approval, it is closing the rarely open Madawaska District Court on November 1, 2025. Pending civil, family, and criminal cases currently heard in Madawaska will be transferred to either Caribou District Court or Fort Kent District Court depending upon location.
"The Madawaska court is presently open only two days per month, one day for civil and family matters and one day for criminal matters," said Judicial Branch State Court Administrator Amy Quinlan. Consolidating the operations of Madawaska to courthouses in Caribou or Fort Kent will save approximately $50,000 per year in rent, overtime, and travel costs. Presently, staff must transport files and travel from Fort Kent for cases heard in Madawaska.
In addition to increasing operational efficiency, closing the building in Madawaska will avoid the need to address court security, technology, and accessibility issues that the aging Madawaska building has. Judicial Branch Director of Legal Affairs and Public Relations Barbara Cardone commented, The closing and consolidation of the Madawaska court is an all-around positive step because it saves expense for the Judicial Branch and benefits the residents of Aroostook County, who will have access to secure, full-time courthouses in either Caribou or Fort Kent beginning November 1.
As of November 1:
Municipalities or unorganized territories reallocated from Madawaska to the Fort Kent District Court: Madawaska, St. David, Grand Isle, and Lille.
Municipalities or unorganized territories reallocated from Madawaska to the Caribou District Court: Keegan (T17 R3), Van Buren, Hamilton Plantation, and Cyr Plantation.
For more information, contact Barbara Cardone, Director of Legal Affairs and Public Relations, barbara.cardone@courts.maine.gov. Telephone: (207) 213-2803.