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PublishedOctober 16, 2023
Attorneys identify 4 more people without court-appointed counsel in statewide petition for release
Attorneys debated Monday whether the petition before Maine's Supreme Judicial Court, which calls on the state to identify everyone in jail without a lawyer, was filed appropriately.
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PublishedOctober 12, 2023
Judiciary asks Maine’s high court to dismiss petition to release unrepresented defendants
Supreme Judicial Court Justice Wayne Douglas will meet Monday with attorneys to discuss the petition to identify and release from county jails low-income people who are being held pretrial without an attorney.
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PublishedOctober 11, 2023
Agency submits $8.9 million proposal to create public defender offices across state
The Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services is not asking to fund the offices all at once, but wants state leaders to commit to the proposal.
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PublishedSeptember 29, 2023
ACLU, Maine officials resume negotiations to improve legal services for poor clients
During a 15-minute hearing in Kennebec County Superior Court, Justice Micheala Murphy granted a request for negotiating assistance and asked the parties to update the court 30 days after their initial meeting.
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PublishedSeptember 20, 2023
Lawyers seek release for woman jailed nearly 3 months without representation
Two attorneys, concerned about Maine’s legal defense system for the poor, are urging the state's highest court to release a woman they say has been jailed for more than 80 days without a court-appointed attorney – as well as anyone “similarly situated.”
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PublishedSeptember 15, 2023
Settlement talks expected to continue in lawsuit over state’s indigent defense system
After Justice Michaela Murphy rejected a proposed deal this week, the ACLU says it will continue working on a settlement, but is prepared to go to trial.
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PublishedSeptember 15, 2023
Judge rejects proposed deal for state indigent defense system – now what?
Attorneys for the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Serves and the ACLU of Maine will meet with Superior Justice Michaela Murphy on Friday.
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PublishedAugust 31, 2023
Judge says settlement agreement for indigent defense system may not go far enough
Kennebec County Superior Justice Michaela Murphy still has to decide whether a proposed deal between the ACLU and MCILS will move forward.
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PublishedAugust 29, 2023
ACLU, Maine officials reach deal on lawyers for poor
The ACLU of Maine sued the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services in March 2022, saying it was failing to provide effective legal representation to poor Mainers.
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PublishedJuly 9, 2023
Maine’s new public defenders aim to close attorney shortage in rural areas
The five-member Rural Defender Unit is representing people in places like Aroostook and Washington counties, where many cannot afford – or find – a lawyer.
Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services
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