Public defense system’s $13M shortfall could undo progress securing indigent representation

By: Eesha Pendharkar

Outlets: Maine Morning Star

Published: January 22, 2026

Words: 776

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 4 days ago

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While the list of indigent defendants waiting for court-appointed counsel is continuing to shrink, Maine’s public defense system is quickly running out of money to pay its rostered attorneys. To tackle the $13 million shortfall, Sen. Anne Carney is asking her fellow lawmakers to come up with the needed funds — or risk undoing that progress.

At a hearing before the Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, Carney warned about the impact if the Maine Commission on …

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