Director warns of “imminent” crisis in being able to find lawyers for all people needing public defense.

Director warns of “imminent” crisis in being able to find lawyers for all people needing public defense.
The law expands protection of prisoners from excessive fees to call their families and lawyers.
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.
The governor’s decision to donate the contributions comes after Eliot Cutler was arrested Friday on child pornography charges.
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.
Lawmakers returning to Augusta this month may recommend enacting a bill to open the state’s first trial-level public defender office.
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