Director warns of “imminent” crisis in being able to find lawyers for all people needing public defense.
Crime & Justice
Maine caps phone call prices in jails and prisons
The law expands protection of prisoners from excessive fees to call their families and lawyers.
Lawmakers make last-minute bid to “pony up” money for indigent legal defense
Maine Republicans and Democrats discuss splitting $1.2 million price tag to hire five public defenders.
Maine defense lawyer charged with criminal OUI by grand jury
Suzanne Dwyer-Jones routinely defends indigent clients in court. The agency overseeing representation of the poor plans to suspend her.
Lawyer leaves state board, claims poor attitude by lawmakers toward impoverished defendants
Bob Cummins gives up his seat on the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services, contending state officials ‘don’t give a damn’ about reform.
Mills donates Cutler campaign contributions to sexual assault prevention group
The governor’s decision to donate the contributions comes after Eliot Cutler was arrested Friday on child pornography charges.
Lawmakers seek funding for Maine’s first public defenders
Committee proposes a dispatchable unit of defense lawyers to work on cases in underserved rural courts.
ACLU sues Maine, says it provides ineffective defense counsel for people charged with crimes
Frustrated by a lack of progress, ‘last resort’ lawsuit alleges a state commission violates defendants’ constitutional rights.
License suspended after lawyer allegedly takes $189,000 from estate
The Maine Supreme Judicial Court issued the ruling against Christopher Whalley on Feb. 17.
Samantha Hogan: A year later, Maine still last state without public defenders
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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