Opinion ID: 2279852
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Late Arrival of the Guardian Ad Litem

Text: [¶ 6] On the first morning of the hearing, the guardian ad litem was not present in the courtroom. [4] Bruce asked the court for a recess until such time as the guardian was present in the courtroom, arguing that the guardian needed to hear the testimony of other witnesses at the proceeding before testifying himself. The guardian arrived later that afternoon and testified. [¶ 7] The court was not obligated to recess the hearing until the guardian was present, and Bruce could not demonstrate any reason why the hearing had to be delayed until the guardian arrived. The guardian was present at the afternoon session of the hearing, and Bruce had a full opportunity to examine him. No harm resulted from the guardian's delayed arrival at the hearing. [¶ 8] Bruce, who represented himself before the court, also argues that the court erred in holding him to the same standard as an attorney in refusing to delay the hearing because he had not subpoenaed the guardian ad litem to be present in court at a certain time. We have long recognized the principle that pro se litigants are held to the same standards as represented litigants. Dufort v. Bangs, 644 A.2d 6, 7 (Me.1994) (citing Uotinen v. Hall, 636 A.2d 991, 992 (Me.1994)). Neither civil nor criminal litigants are afforded any special consideration because of their pro se status. [5] New England Whitewater Center, Inc. v. Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 550 A.2d 56, 60 (Me.1988).