York County Superior Court Justice Wayne Douglas Courtesy Photo

AUGUSTA — The Maine Legislature’s Judiciary Committee will host a confirmation hearing on the nomination of York County Superior Court Justice Wayne Douglas to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court on Feb. 15.

Douglas, 71, was nominated to a seven-year term by Gov. Janet Mills on Feb. 1.

“I am deeply humbled by Gov. Mills’ nomination to serve on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court,” said Douglas in a news release issued by the governor’s office. “If fortunate to be confirmed by the Legislature, I will give careful consideration to each case that comes before the Court, treat all with courtesy and respect, and administer justice in a fair and impartial manner.”

Douglas, of Old Orchard Beach, was first nominated to the Maine District Court by former Gov. Angus King in 2002 and reappointed by former Gov. John Baldacci in 2010. In 2015, former Gov. Paul LePage appointed Douglas to the Maine Superior Court; he serves on the bench at the Superior Court at York County Court House in Alfred.

Sen. Donna Bailey of Saco, an attorney, former York County judge of probate, and member of the Judiciary Committee, said she is “very supportive” of Douglas’ nomination and is grateful for his public service.

“I have always found him to be fair, judicious, and intelligent in his decisions,” said Bailey. “The state is well served having him on the bench.”

In his work as a superior court justice, Douglas presided over the York County Treatment and Recovery Court, which provides judicially monitored supervision and treatment to people with criminal charges committed to addressing their substance use and mental health issues, according to the news release. As well, he initiated a mental health docket in York County to expedite consideration of cases involving people experiencing mental health issues.

While he has presided over many criminal and civil cases during his tenure on the bench, two somewhat recent cases were the subject of appeals to the court he has been nominated to join.

Douglas ruled that the public has the right to use Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport in a 2018 ruling in a civil case over coastal access, according to a Feb. 1 Portland Press Herald story by Randy Billings. That ruling was appealed to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, which upheld Douglas’ decision.

Douglas presided over a murder case involving a Limington man where the state supreme judicial court later overturned the conviction. The court ruled that Douglas erred in allowing admission of the confession of Bruce Akers to killing his neighbor Douglas Flint to sheriff’s deputies. Before trial, Akers had filed a motion to suppress statements he made to deputies before they obtained a search warrant. Douglas denied the motion, writing that the searches were reasonable because deputies were looking for a missing man, according to Portland Press Herald accounts. The case was not retried, Akers was released, and the Attorney General’s Office later dismissed the charges.

Before his appointment to the bench, Douglas was Gov. King’s chief legal counsel and an associate commissioner of the then-Department of Mental Health. Earlier, he worked in private practice at Pierce Atwood in Portland.

Douglas is a graduate of the University of Maine School of Law and earned his undergraduate degree from Bates College. He is married and has two adult children.

If confirmed by a vote of the Maine Senate, Douglas would replace former Maine Supreme Judicial Court Justice Thomas Humphrey, who retired in 2022.

“Justice Douglas’ sharp legal mind, measured temperament, and dedication to the fair and impartial administration of the law position him well to serve the people of Maine on the Supreme Judicial Court,” said Mills in the statement. “I believe that the court and all Maine people will benefit from Justice Douglas’ decades of public service, and I am pleased to nominate him for this appointment.”

Also scheduled for a confirmation hearing at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 15 is retired Maine Superior Court Justice Paul Fritzsche of Kennebunk. Fritzsche is seeking reappointment as an active retired justice for a seven-year term. Those designated as active retired justices are appointed by the governor, subject to review by the Judiciary Committee and to confirmation by the Maine Senate.