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PublishedJanuary 9, 2025
Judge’s ruling acknowledges that hundreds of Mainers’ rights are being denied
The state could be on a path to a widespread reform after a Superior Court justice ruled that many people facing serious criminal charges haven't received the court-appointed lawyer they are entitled to under the Constitution.
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PublishedJanuary 3, 2025
Judge rules Maine is denying constitutional rights of people accused of crimes
Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy will hold a hearing this month to determine how the state should remedy what she says is a violation of the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
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PublishedSeptember 27, 2024
Trial over Maine’s indigent defense crisis set to begin in December
The trial will address whether the state is violating the constitutional rights of hundreds of Maine defendants who are entitled to legal representation but are still waiting for a lawyer – and if so, how to fix it.
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PublishedMay 28, 2024
Defense attorneys, ACLU question whether new bail reviews for unrepresented defendants are working
Maine judges are holding weekly hearings for poor Mainers who can't find a court-appointed attorney. But in the last six months, the number of people waiting has grown from 100 to more than 630.
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PublishedMay 25, 2024
ACLU allowed to add Maine attorney general to lawsuit on indigent defense
A court on Thursday granted the ACLU’s petition to add Attorney General Aaron Frey to a suit that accuses the state of failing to provide lawyers to poor Mainers.
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PublishedMay 13, 2024
Maine’s high court upholds order calling for trial over indigent defense crisis
Lawyers for the state had appealed a ruling from Superior Justice Michaela Murphy that ordered the ACLU and Maine's indigent defense agency to be ready for trial in June.
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PublishedMay 10, 2024
‘RoboCop’ security systems pop up in Maine as concerns over retail theft rise
The flashing blue lights atop poles in some Maine parking lots are designed to deter criminals, but some question the balance of safety vs. privacy.
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PublishedMarch 20, 2024
ACLU of Maine names new executive director
Molly Curren Rowles will replace Arthur Padilla. Curren Rowles previously led the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine and worked on complex legal issues with Pine Tree Legal Assistance.
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PublishedMarch 8, 2024
ACLU’s updated lawsuit challenges legality of holding unrepresented, jailed Mainers
The governor, the attorney general and other state leaders have been included in the amended complaint and have a week to object to being added as defendants in the lawsuit targeting the state's indigent defense system.
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PublishedFebruary 28, 2024
Federal judge rejects Bangor school’s request to scrap anti-discrimination law ahead of trial
Crosspoint Church accused Maine of discriminating against religious schools whose policies violate the state's Human Rights Act. The state says giving them taxpayer dollars would allow discrimination against students.
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