--- title: "Stephen Nelson | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/stephen-nelson-justice-maine-superior-court-me" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Stephen Nelson Maine Superior Court · Justice ## Profile - Court: Maine Superior Court - State: Maine - Role: Justice - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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. ## 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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/stephen-nelson-justice-maine-superior-court-me", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/stephen-nelson-justice-maine-superior-court-me", "name": "Stephen Nelson | KnowJudges", "description": "Stephen Nelson, Maine Superior Court. 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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.