View in browser   |   Forward

Maine’s indigent legal defense crisis is well known: There are too few attorneys for the number of criminal defendants. It has resulted in some defendants sitting in jail for weeks before being assigned an attorney despite being entitled to one. 

But as reporter Josh Keefe shows us, there is another side to that problem. Prosecutors also say they are overwhelmed with cases. And overwhelmed prosecutors are more likely to make mistakes that can both harm defendants and the integrity of the criminal justice system. 

In his story today, Josh examines three recent cases from one district attorney’s office, showing how prosecutors' failure to identify and turn over discovery can cause cases to languish and, in some instances, prompt sanctions.

One last note: It is because of support from readers that we are able to investigate discovery violations and other important topics — and to keep all our stories free to read, with no paywall. We have started our end-of-year fundraising drive, and we need to raise $200,000 by Dec. 31. If you’re able to donate, or you can spread the word by forwarding this newsletter to a friend, we would be very grateful.

Thank you,

Erin

“Bad faith”: Judge rebukes slow district attorney’s office as prosecutors across Maine buckle under high caseloads

Three recent examples show how cases can languish or prompt sanctions when prosecutors fail to to turn over discovery.

Read this story by Josh Keefe of The Maine Monitor

Woodland Pulp pausing mill operations until end of December: The hiatus for Washington County’s largest employer is due to a downturn in the global pulp market and comes after increases in tariffs on Canadian lumber. Read this story by Emmett Gartner of The Maine Monitor

Meet 3 local groups fighting men’s loneliness in Maine: Some gather around food or woodworking projects, but they all offer the promise of friendship. Read this story by Rose Lundy of The Maine Monitor

Maine daycare to close after 2 years despite $250K from feds: The closure comes as child care options diminish across the state. Read this story by Rose Lundy of The Maine Monitor

Washington County rejects $11M bond aimed at digging out of budget crisis: The no side of the referendum made up 53.3% of votes when the Bangor Daily News and Decision Desk HQ called the race Wednesday morning. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Maine Monitor and Bangor Daily News

Washington County is scrambling to save itself from financial ruin after voters reject bond: Voters on Tuesday refused to allow officials to issue a bond of up to $11 million to cover a massive budget shortfall. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Maine Monitor and BDN

Moderate Democrat Jared Golden won’t seek reelection: The Maine lawmaker’s retirement puts a seat in jeopardy for House Democrats. Read this story by Torrie Herrington of NOTUS for The Maine Monitor

Two years after Lewiston shooting, Maine voters approve red flag law: The ballot question, brought forward through a citizen initiative process, came after efforts to pass stricter gun laws failed in the state legislature. Read this story by Emily Bader of The Maine Monitor

Maine rejects voter ID, absentee voting limits: Opponents of Question 1 called the defeat a victory for “voting rights and for Maine voters.” Read this story by Emily Bader of The Maine Monitor

Lisbon finally passes school budget while electing Republican who led tax revolt: Its passage marks the end of a volatile budget process that saw voters, outraged over high taxes, seize on the school budget as a point of accountability. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Maine Monitor and BDN

Parents in a midcoast town protest a transgender child’s place on basketball team: St. George is the latest Maine community to debate the fairness of allowing transgender girls to play on girls sports teams. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Maine Monitor and BDN

Maine lawmakers have a second chance to ban AI-generated child sexual abuse images: The new bill comes after the BDN reported on how current law allows the computer-generated images to spread unchecked. Read this story by Sawyer Loftus of the Bangor Daily News

Maine law enforcement officers often lack direction for how to conduct welfare checks

(Published in 2023)

Procedures have come under scrutiny since it was revealed that police tried to reach Robert Card weeks before the Lewiston mass shootings.

Read this story by Emily Bader and Emmett Gartner of The Maine Monitor

Have feedback or a correction to send to Erin Rhoda? Send it to her directly via email: erin@themainemonitor.org. 

The Maine Monitor is a publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, an independent and nonpartisan nonprofit news organization that produces investigative journalism. We believe news is a public good and keep our news free to access. We have no paywall and do not charge for our newsletters. If you value the reporting we do for Maine, please consider making a donation! We cannot do this reporting without your support.

Manage preferences | Update email address