--- title: "William R. Stokes | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-r-stokes-justice-maine-superior-court-me" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # William R. Stokes 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 - Nominated by Governor Paul LePage on May 7, 2014 to the seat vacated by Justice Jeffrey Hjelm, who joined the Maine Supreme Judicial Court - William R. Stokes is a justice of the Maine Superior Court, appointed in 2014 to replace Jeffrey Hjelm, with a background in public service, law enforcement, and municipal leadership - William R. Stokes became a Maine Superior Court justice in 2014 under Paul LePage, initially associated with Knox County after Jeffrey Hjelm’s departure. - Earlier Maine Attorney General’s Office service included deputy attorney general and criminal-division chief, involving criminal, tort/civil-rights and constitutional matters ### Education - cites University of Massachusetts B.A. (1973), Suffolk Law J.D. (1976) and initial bar admission in 1977. ### Additional information - Stokes was unanimously confirmed by the Maine Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary on July 24, 2014. - The overview’s July 2014 Judiciary Committee action is distinguished from a final Senate confirmation. - He also held the position of Mayor of Augusta, Maine from 2011 to 2014, stepping down upon his judicial appointment - He held the role of mayor of Augusta in 2011–2014, resigning on joining the judiciary. - Stokes’ appointment required him to resign as mayor of Augusta - Before his judicial appointment, Stokes had a long career in the Maine Attorney General’s Office, where he held the role of deputy attorney general and chief of the criminal division. ## 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) - [Wikidata: William R. Stokes](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q8017292) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-r-stokes-justice-maine-superior-court-me", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-r-stokes-justice-maine-superior-court-me", "name": "William R. Stokes | KnowJudges", "description": "William R. Stokes, Maine Superior Court. 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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.