Maine's step forward in public defense comes as the state is already struggling to find attorneys to represent roughly 580 defendants, almost a quarter of whom are in jail.
Maine Supreme Judicial Court Justice Wayne Douglas must decide whether a lack of attorneys for criminal defendants who can't afford their own lawyer is a constitutional violation, or just a hinderance to their cases.
Maine Supreme Judicial Court Justice Wayne Douglas must decide whether a lack of attorneys for criminal defendants who can't afford their own lawyer is a constitutional violation, or just a hinderance to their cases.
Justice Wayne Douglas has scheduled a hearing for Nov. 14 to consider whether 3 Aroostook County men who don't have court-appointed attorneys are being held illegally.
Justice Wayne Douglas has scheduled a hearing for Nov. 14 to consider whether 3 Aroostook County men who don't have court-appointed attorneys are being held illegally.