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Tips for Giving Evidence in Court

When you are giving evidence in court, explain exactly what happened in the clearest way you can. You should only talk about what you know. This means what you saw, what you felt, what you heard, and what you did.

RePresent: A game for people going to court without a lawyer

If you're going to court without a lawyer, you can practice representing yourself by playing RePresent. You’ll learn how to prepare for court, what happens in court on the day of your hearing, and how to present evidence and cross-examine the other person in your case.
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Rights of Maine Renters: Discrimination

Landlords may not discriminate against you because of your: race, color, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental impairment, religion, ancestry or national origin, getting welfare, being a single parent, being pregnant or having children. This means that a landlord cannot refuse to rent to you, charge you extra, or evict you for any of these… More
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Rights of Maine Renters: Heat and Utility Charges for Common Areas

If you live in an apartment building, you may find out that you are paying for heat, lights, or other utilities for "common areas." This includes, for example, hallways, basements, or a common hot water heater or furnace. It is illegal for your landlord to make you pay those costs alone. For example, the hall lights should not be hooked up to your… More
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Rights of Maine Renters: Cable TV, Dishes, and Antennas

If I live in an apartment building, can my landlord stop me from getting cable TV, a satellite dish or an antenna? Generally, no. Your landlord can only refuse to allow these installations if they have "good cause" to deny that particular company. "Good cause" could be:

Small Claims Forms

Important Notice: We encourage you to learn more about Small Claims Court in Maine before using these forms.
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What happens if I am charged with a crime in Maine? Can I get a lawyer?

How do I know if my legal issue is "criminal?" In Maine there are three basic kinds of “charges” for “offenses against the state.”
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How To: Get Ready for a Disclosure Hearing in Maine

A disclosure hearing can happen once a creditor has a judgment against you for money you owe. Sometimes the creditor must take you to court to find out what property and income you have. This is called a disclosure hearing. This guide will walk you through what to expect at a disclosure hearing, and what you will need to know to go in prepared.… More

Maine Fair Housing Newsletter

The Fair Housing Newsletter is a publication of Pine Tree Legal Assistance, through the Fair Housing Initiative Program, Maine. It covers important fair housing information and developments, and highlights other fair housing resources.

Podcast: Religious Discrimination in Rental Housing

Listen to our podcast on religious discrimination in rental housing! This podcast talks about housing discrimination on the basis of religion. For decades in the United States, the Fair Housing Act has prohibited housing discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status and national origin. The Maine Human… More