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:
Maine hires lawyers with criminal records to defend poor residents. The governor wants reform.
Gov. Janet Mills publicly called for a bipartisan effort to reform Maine's defense system for poor people accused of crimes in response to an investigation by The Maine Monitor and ProPublica.
All Stories:
Availability of Maine defense lawyers reaches all-time low
Maine's public defense agency reports only 224 attorneys are accepting assignments to new criminal and child protection cases from courts.
Justice rules ACLU can proceed with lawsuit against state public defense agency, commissioners
The ACLU of Maine lawsuit contends the state’s unique public defense system is failing indigent defendants.
Lawmakers approve funding to hire Maine’s first public defenders
Director warns of "imminent" crisis in being able to find lawyers for all people needing public defense.
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.
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