--- title: "Peter J. Goranites | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/peter-j-goranites-judge-maine-district-court-me" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Peter J. Goranites Maine District Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Maine District Court - State: Maine - Role: Judge - Service status: senior - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - The collected biographical information identifies Peter J. Goranites as an active-retired Maine District Court judge in Portland, initially appointed in 1988 and appointed to active-retired service in 2015 - Retired but active judge of the Maine District Court, serving in Portland, Maine, and currently listed as an active retired judge in Cumberland County - Goranites has been associated with the Portland District Court for over three decades, combining judicial service with a strong background in both private legal practice and public service ### Education - Education includes University of Maine undergraduate study/degree and a Maine Law — J.D. (1973) ### Additional information - It lists Maine admission in 1973 plus First Circuit and federal District of Maine admissions, and an AV Preeminent recognition from Martindale. - It records twelve years of private practice and three years in the Maine attorney general office before judicial service. - His continued role as an active retired judge allows him to remain engaged in the judicial process post-retirement - According to, Goranites holds AV Preeminent® — the highest peer rating for legal knowledge, communication skills, and ethical standards ## 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/district/judges.html) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.maine.gov/courts/district/judges.html) - [State of Maine Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.courts.maine.gov/courts/district/judges.html) - [JB-05-15 Cameras and Audio Recording in the Courts](https://www.courts.maine.gov/adminorders/jb-05-15.pdf) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/peter-j-goranites-judge-maine-district-court-me", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/peter-j-goranites-judge-maine-district-court-me", "name": "Peter J. Goranites | KnowJudges", "description": "Peter J. Goranites, Maine District Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-10-07", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/peter-j-goranites-judge-maine-district-court-me#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/peter-j-goranites-judge-maine-district-court-me#judge", "name": "Peter J. Goranites", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/peter-j-goranites-judge-maine-district-court-me", "jobTitle": "Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "Maine District Court" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.courts.maine.gov/courts/district/judges.html" ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Maine", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/maine" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Peter J. Goranites", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/peter-j-goranites-judge-maine-district-court-me" } ] } ] } ``` ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Maine Rules of Small Claims Procedure, effective November 1, 2024](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-e7189e038ba12fdc9a9ed90c) — Small claims proceedings in District Court only. 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/mrscp%202024-11-01.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27. - [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.