Justice Michaela Murphy’s ruling means as many as 7,200 plaintiffs could join action against state public defense commission.

Justice Michaela Murphy’s ruling means as many as 7,200 plaintiffs could join action against state public defense commission.
Maine’s public defense agency reports only 224 attorneys are accepting assignments to new criminal and child protection cases from courts.
The ACLU of Maine lawsuit contends the state’s unique public defense system is failing indigent defendants.
Director warns of “imminent” crisis in being able to find lawyers for all people needing public defense.
Maine Republicans and Democrats discuss splitting $1.2 million price tag to hire five public defenders.
Suzanne Dwyer-Jones routinely defends indigent clients in court. The agency overseeing representation of the poor plans to suspend her.
Bob Cummins gives up his seat on the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services, contending state officials ‘don’t give a damn’ about reform.
Committee proposes a dispatchable unit of defense lawyers to work on cases in underserved rural courts.
Frustrated by a lack of progress, ‘last resort’ lawsuit alleges a state commission violates defendants’ constitutional rights.
The Maine Supreme Judicial Court issued the ruling against Christopher Whalley on Feb. 17.
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