ABOUT THIS SERIES
An investigation by The Maine Monitor and ProPublica found that more than a quarter of Maine attorneys disciplined in the past decade for serious professional misconduct were hired as lawyers for the poor. Sex crimes and felony convictions were among the most severe infractions overlooked in the only state without public defenders. Defendants paid the price.
FEATURED STORY:
She was afraid of her lawyer. Then the text messages started.
Leah Kerwin began receiving daily texts and videos explicitly requesting sex. They came from her court-appointed attorney, who had already been suspended for other misconduct. When she spoke up, the situation got worse.
All Stories:
Justice rejects settlement to overhaul indigent defense in Maine
Justice Michaela Murphy says proposed agreement in ACLU’s lawsuit would not be “judicially enforceable."
Settlement reached by Maine and ACLU to overhaul indigent legal services
A proposed agreement urges for more public defenders and sets new standards for defense lawyers.
Judge warns of “constitutional crisis” if shortage of defense lawyers not fixed soon
"We just don't know how far things can slide before we really are in a constitutional crisis," a Superior Court Justice remarked.
Maine judge grants class action status to ACLU suit on public defense system
Justice Michaela Murphy’s ruling means as many as 7,200 plaintiffs could join action against state public defense commission.
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