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.
Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services
Posted inLocal & State
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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Posted inLocal & State, Politics
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.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
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.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine chief justice asks legal community to help represent indigent clients
Chief Justice Valerie Stanfill said in a letter to seven large law firms that the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services is considering rule changes for lawyers willing to take child custody appeals.
Posted inLocal & State, News
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.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
New state legal defense director wants to bring young attorneys in to do ‘important work’
Jim Billings took over the reins of the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services last month, joining the agency that is severely struggling to find enough attorneys to represent poor Mainers.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine legislative agenda could chip away at lawsuit’s gripes against indigent defense system
A lawsuit against the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services has been quietly pending for more than a year. And while neither group will talk about its progress, a number of pending bills take aim at fixing the system.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Civil rights group may seek federal probe of Maine’s indigent defense system
A forthcoming report to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will detail shortcomings of legal services for the state’s poor.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine agency for indigent legal defense announces new leader
Jim Billings will take over as executive director of the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services. Toby Jandreau will become the state’s new lead public defender.