Stephen Nelson at a glance
- Current role
- Justice
- Court
- Maine Superior Court
- Jurisdiction
- Maine · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Stephen Nelson
Justice · Maine Superior Court
Judicial assignments
- Aroostook County Superior Court, HoultonMaine Superior Court Justice
Sources document the stated service dates and scope; a complete current local roster has not been established.
Source checked October 15, 2026. Roster source - Aroostook County Superior Court, CaribouSuperior Court Justice
Official justices directory identifies the judge at this courthouse office. Court locality matched to the official Superior Court address directory; office evidence is not a complete rotating hearing roster.
Source checked October 15, 2026. Roster source
These published assignments do not certify a complete bench.
Biography
Professional career
- Governor Spencer J. Cox appointed Judge Nelson to the Third District Court in November 2023, and he began serving in January 2024
- Judge Stephen L. Nelson is a Utah state court judge appointed in November 2023 to the Third District Court, serving Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele Counties, with a background in federal prosecution, district attorney work, and academic teaching
- Sworn in as Aroostook County Superior Court justice on January 31, 2020, after Senate confirmation January 30.
- Nelson had held the role of District Court judge in Presque Isle and Houlton from 2018 to early 2020, initially sworn in under Governor Paul LePage
- Earlier he was a partner at Severson, Hand and Nelson in Houlton, practicing civil litigation, family law, small-business representation and estate planning.
Education
Additional information
- The article reports a seven-year appointment; it does not supply education details.
- In his own words, Judge Nelson expressed honor and gratitude for the appointment, pledging to uphold the Third District Court’s legacy of fairness, integrity, respect, and fidelity to the law
- The County reports that the Houlton resident succeeded Harold Stewart, who moved to Cumberland County.
- His Superior Court caseload was primarily criminal, alongside civil matters.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Recording and broadcasting
Statewide
Maine Administrative Order JB-05-15 bars cameras and audio recording equipment in the courtroom unless coverage has been authorized under the order.
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 ↗
Judicial Discretion
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.
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 ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, effective June 1, 2026
Maine Superior Court; Aroostook County Superior Court, Caribou
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27JB-05-15 Cameras and Audio Recording in the Courts
Maine Superior Court; Aroostook County Superior Court, Caribou
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 26, 2026.
State of Maine Judicial Branch official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View State of Maine Judicial Branch official judicial roster ↗JB-05-15 Cameras and Audio Recording in the Courts
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View JB-05-15 Cameras and Audio Recording in the Courts ↗