Maine has to provide attorneys to criminal defendants who can’t afford their own representation. In hundreds of cases, defendants are still waiting.
Maine Commission on Public Defense Services
Director of Maine agency for indigent legal defense steps down
Jim Billings is the second director in as many years to step down, following the resignation of Justin W. Andrus in 2023.
With Maine judge set to release inmates waiting for lawyers, state high court halts hearings – for now
The Maine Supreme Judicial Court halted habeas corpus hearings so it can consider an appeal from the state over the backlog of defendants waiting for public defenders.
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.
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.
Maine’s public defense system gets $3.5M boost, without governor’s support
The emergency bill makes it easier for judges to appoint lawyers for people who can’t afford one themselves, and it authorizes the state to hire 5 new public defenders.
Maine lawmakers pass $3 million bill for public defense system
Maine lawmakers agreed to pay for more public defenders and make it easier for judges to appoint attorneys to cases where defendants can’t afford their own. Gov. Janet Mills now has 10 days to act.
A Maine judge might not release people from jail until state’s top court weighs in
A judge in Kennebec County was unable to hold a hearing Monday to move forward on her plans to release people without lawyers from jail because an attorney for the state wants Maine’s highest court to weigh in.
Maine’s public defense agency to scale back billing oversight, training to focus on attorney recruitment
The new plan aims to help solve what a many have called a constitutional crisis. Next up: A judge will hold a hearing Monday to lay out her plans for releasing or dropping charges against people who have been waiting for a lawyer.
A $3M boost to Maine’s public defense spurs objections on all sides
An emergency bill sought to compromise the demands of Gov. Janet Mills and the Maine Commission on Public Defense Services as the state faces a constitutional violation over a lack of court-appointed attorneys.