Governor Maura Healey approved a pay raise for court-appointed defense lawyers to encourage their return to the courtroom amid a work stoppage for better wages from bar advocates. The Supreme Judicial Court activated the Lavallee protocol to release unrepresented defendants after an extended absence of bar advocates. Despite a proposed $10 increase to hourly wages, advocates criticize this raise as insufficient compared to their demands, which include increases far exceeding the legislative proposal. The new budget also includes restrictions against future collective actions by bar advocates.
Governor Maura Healey approved a pay raise for court-appointed defense lawyers designed to increase their presence in the courtroom, although bar advocates consider it insufficient.
Bar advocates, who provide vital representation for indigent defendants, have enacted a work stoppage due to inadequate compensation, advocating for a more significant wage increase.
The Supreme Judicial Court invoked the Lavallee protocol, allowing the release of unrepresented defendants and dismissal of charges to address the crisis caused by the lack of bar advocates.
The proposal to raise hourly wages includes a significant bump but falls short of the lawyers' demands and prohibits future collective actions, raising concerns among advocates.
Collection
[
|
...
]