The Boston Globe ran an editorial State can save on lawyers by hiring more public defenders which is sadly based on a misunderstanding of what court-appointed attorneys and DAs do. First, it is easier to accuse than to disprove … [Read more...]
Right to counsel under attack in Michigan – could it happen here?
The Michigan Courts say "its the legislature & governor's job to protect the right to counsel" - have WE heard this before? Remember Lavallee and the failure to order full funding or protect the right to counsel in Massachusetts? … [Read more...]
Massachusetts Lawyer’s Weekly announces the “Top Ten Lawyers of 2008”
Here is the story, with photos. How many of these attorneys, and their ground breaking, law making cases had you heard of? http://www.masslawyersweekly.c... I am most familiar with Claudia Bolgen and Margaret Winchester's case, In Re … [Read more...]
ICE Raids again – in Rhode Island Court Houses on July 15th
A clerk tipped off ICE that someone copied an ID card at the court house. No criminal charges have been filed - only what ICE calls administrative charges for illegal entry. 12 of the at least 31 people taken by ICE were immediately … [Read more...]
Sami Al-Haj released from Guantanamo after 6+ years – his crime? Cameraman for the wrong network.
Here are some quotes from Sami: After being reunited with his eight-year old son Mohammed, who was just a baby when he last saw him, Sami summoned the strength to greet Sudan's President, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, accompanied by dozens of … [Read more...]
SJC issues case expanding civil right to counsel – TODAY
Here is the slip opinion which issued, today: Term NOTICE: The slip opinions and orders posted on this Web site are subject to formal revision and are superseded by the advance sheets and bound volumes of the Official Reports. … [Read more...]
Legislature goes out on recess – leaves court -appointed attorneys unpaid for work already done!
In the interest of full disclosure, part of the work I do is representing indigent parents and children in cases where DSS has taken children out of their homes, or as an appointed Guardian Ad Litem guarding the education or medical care or … [Read more...]
First Star issues a report 4/24/07 on the representation provided children in child welfare cases
From the March 19, 2007 Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.Foster change in DSS systemBefore a child is taken out of a family home, there is a federal requirement that "reasonable efforts" to prevent removal of a child from the home must … [Read more...]
TODAY (2/15/07) The SJC has requested Notice and Comment on a Proposed Rule Change
URGENT: YOUR input is needed now!The Supreme Judicial Court has published a "Notice and Comment" TOPIC: Standards for Representation of children and others "under a disability"LINK TO NOTICE: http://www.mass.gov/...Three … [Read more...]