State v. Rupert

[¶ 1] After a nonjury trial held in the District Court (Portland, Kelly, C.J.), Benjamin J. Rupert was adjudicated of having committed two traffic infractions. Rupert appeals, arguing that the court erred by denying a motion in which he asserted a purported “right” to be represented in this matter by a person who is not licensed to practice law in Maine. Because no such right exists—and because, in fact, that third-party representation would have constituted the unauthorized practice of law, which is a crime—the court correctly denied the motion, and we affirm the judgment.

[¶ 2] In July 2016,…