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...]
Indigent defense – a core, mandated, constitutional requirement
Here is why the Governor's proposal regarding indigent defense should be overturned in the legislature in favor of current practices and constitutional requirements. If indigent people are arrested, pursuant to the United States … [Read more...]
Donnelly is a policy oriented candidate who cares about governance
As some of you know, before 2003 I was not active in Massachusetts politics at all. My time and energy was totally taken up with both earning a living and being a wife - and mother of two very demanding special needs kids. When … [Read more...]
Request for HELP from the Blue Mass Group Community
1. Call Speaker DiMasi's office at 617 722 2500 and request that supplemental funding for line item 0321-1510 be passed TODAY.2. Call House Ways and Means Chairman Robert DeLeo at 617 722 2990 and request that supplemental … [Read more...]
Attotneys for the indigent STILL unpaid for all work done 4/1/07-6/30/07
On Thursday, September 27, the Legislature will go back into formal session. On that date, a delegation from the Massachusetts Association of Court Appointed Attorneys will be on Beacon Hill in an effort to secure passage of this … [Read more...]
Public Defender arrested in Ohio for refusing to go to trial unprepared, yesterday
For the whole newspaper story, go to:http://www.recordpub...NACDL, the national organization for those who defend the indigent, has also weighed in. Their press release is located at:http://www.nacdl.org...One excerpt:The judge in the … [Read more...]
Will bar advocates be paid next week?
So, folks, will they or won't they? The legislature will go into recess after the last day of July...if you have already read about the problem, great. If not, you can go to AmberPaw's page by clicking on the blue "Amberpaw", … [Read more...]
The well is dry – bar advocates go unpaid once again
Consider, too that the "Special Counsel" on the big dig will be paid $700.00 an hour - and will never have to wait. All the outside, non-state-employee attorneys who are hired on an hourly basis also without becoming state employees … [Read more...]
Shout out to AmberPaw
From today's Republican Metro East section [http://www.masslive....]Resounding applause to those who serve to protect our freedoms. Cudos to BMG blogger Deborah Sirotkin Butler (aka AmberPaw) of Arlington for her election to … [Read more...]