Alyssa Mendez was left off a statewide list of people in need of lawyers and was not appointed one until more than 40 days after her first court appearance.
public defense
Posted inLocal & State, Maine Crime
Maine’s highest court considering whether state can be defendant in public defense lawsuit
The ACLU of Maine is trying to include the entire state in its lawsuit, not just its public defense leaders. The attorney general’s office says the state is immune.
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Posted inLocal & State, News
Judges in Lewiston, Bangor assign public defenders without approval from agency
Two district judges have appointed the attorneys without getting approval from the quasi-state agency that oversees them.
Posted inLocal & State, Maine Crime, News
Maine’s high court to decide whether to release defendants, dismiss charges due to public defense crisis
Maine has to provide attorneys to criminal defendants who can’t afford their own representation. In hundreds of cases, defendants are still waiting.
Posted inLocal & State, News
U.S. government runs out of money to pay Maine defense lawyers appointed in federal cases
Attorneys are waiting until the next fiscal year starts in October to get paid — and that depends on Congress.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine public defense agency fears it will run out of money with new budget
The Maine Commission on Public Defense Services was given roughly $51 million yearly in the state’s two-year $11.3 billion budget.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine judge won’t wait to start releasing people stuck in jail without a lawyer
Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy ruled the state of Maine was at fault for unconstitutionally leaving poor defendants without court-appointed attorneys.
Posted inLocal & State, Maine Crime, News, Schools & Education
Maine’s only law school asks state for $1 million to reopen criminal law clinic
The University of Maine School of Law is trying to reestablish a criminal justice legal clinic for student attorneys, but funding it could be a roadblock in a tight budget year.
Posted inLocal & State, Maine Crime, News, Politics
Prosecutors say it’s not just public defense agencies that are struggling to hire over low pay
A bill proposed by Sen. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, would seek to ensure parity with public defenders because some say prosecutors are struggling to recruit and retain attorneys.
Posted inLocal & State
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.