Maine courts need 280 additional full-time defense lawyers to manage caseload of state’s poor, official says.

Maine courts need 280 additional full-time defense lawyers to manage caseload of state’s poor, official says.
Questions about penalties for investigators who receive confidential recordings unanswered as of Tuesday.
The state’s chief judge for superior courts says courts are unable to find a defense lawyer with “disturbing frequency” for the state’s poor.
Mills seeks to attract new lawyers and increase law firm participation. LePage would rather transition to county public defenders.
More recommendations may be considered on Nov. 1.
Donald F. Brown was sanctioned for misrepresentations to state and sexual relationship with a client.
Dispute centers on whether Maine provides effective legal representation to the state’s poor.
Recommendations would go to the Legislature. It comes after months of reporting by The Maine Monitor.
A planned letter will ask lawmakers for special session to raise lawyer pay to $150 an hour amid record attorney shortage.
Kennebec County memo shows investigator monitored calls a man made to his lawyer in April 2022.
Many of our stories, including some by this author, have been based on tips from readers.
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