---
title: "John O'Neil | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-oneil-justice-maine-superior-court-me"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# John O'Neil

Maine Superior Court · Justice

## Profile

- Court: Maine Superior Court
- State: Maine
- Role: Justice
- Service status: senior
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- John H. O’Neil is a justice of the Maine Superior Court, appointed by Governor Paul LePage on August 31, 2011, with prior service on the Maine District Court and a long legal career in Maine
- Current position: Justice, Maine Superior Court (York County)

### Education

- It records a Boston College BA in1983 and Suffolk JD in1986.

### Additional information

- The collected biographical information identifies John H. O’Neil as a Maine Superior Court justice appointed by Governor Paul LePage in2011, after District Court service in2007–2011.
- He earlier prosecuted in York County in1986–1988 and practiced trial law at Smith, Elliot, Smith & Garmey in Saco in1988–2007.
- Admissions include Maine1986, New Hampshire1997, District of Maine1988, First Circuit1990 and US Supreme Court1996.
- profile: Judge John H. O’Neil
- He lived in Kennebunk at appointment.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### cameras audio recording

Scope: statewide

Maine Administrative Order JB-05-15 bars cameras and audio recording equipment in the courtroom unless coverage has been authorized under the order.

Evidence excerpt: No cameras or audio recording equipment shall be allowed in the courtroom unless coverage of any events or proceeding has been authorized pursuant to this order.

[JB-05-15 Cameras and Audio Recording in the Courts](https://www.courts.maine.gov/adminorders/jb-05-15.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### judicial discretion

Scope: statewide

Maine authorizes trial and appellate judicial officers to consider camera and recording coverage and permit it in their sole discretion if court integrity will not be adversely affected.

Evidence excerpt: authorized to consider camera and recording coverage, and to permit it in their sole discretion if the integrity of the court proceedings will not be adversely affected.

[JB-05-15 Cameras and Audio Recording in the Courts](https://www.courts.maine.gov/adminorders/jb-05-15.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courts.maine.gov/courts/superior/justices.html)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.maine.gov/courts/superior/justices.html)
- [State of Maine Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.courts.maine.gov/courts/superior/justices.html)
- [JB-05-15 Cameras and Audio Recording in the Courts](https://www.courts.maine.gov/adminorders/jb-05-15.pdf)

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## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, effective June 1, 2026](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-65cbb3937209d2a8ec864c35) — Applicable civil actions in Superior and District Courts; family and specialized-case restrictions remain applicable. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://www.courts.maine.gov/rules/text/mr_civ_p_only_2026-06-01.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.
- [JB-05-15 Cameras and Audio Recording in the Courts](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-2090a1c278960f4443c4a460) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.courts.maine.gov/adminorders/jb-05-15.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.