Action Alert

Letter to the Judiciary Opposing Phase 3 Reopening

We have received numerous calls and emails from members who are understandably distressed by the Phase 3 reopening of the state courts, which includes mandatory, in-person appearances for non-emergency hearings such as summons arraignments. In response, MACDL’s Board addressed a letter to Chief Justice Gants and Chief Justice Carey citing our concerns, along with the following proposals:

Suspend the plan to require in person appearances for non-emergency matters […]

By Victoria Kelleher|2020-07-14T21:39:49+00:00July 14th, 2020|Action Alert, President's Messages|Comments Off

Action Alert: Oppose ABA Resolution 114

MACDL urges its members to oppose ABA Resolution 114, which calls on state legislatures to use an affirmative consent standard for sexual assault cases. The proposed standard will unconstitutionally shift the burden of proof to defendants facing extremely serious charges. MACDL has called upon the Massachusetts representatives to the ABA House of Delegates to oppose the resolution; our letter regarding the resolution is below. A listing of all […]

By Ruth O'Meara-Costello|2019-08-09T13:21:17+00:00August 9th, 2019|Action Alert|Comments Off

UPDATE: The Governor’s Council hearing is on Wednesday, June 26th. Please continue to contact your councillors and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito

Dear MACDL Members, Colleagues and Friends,

Thanks to MACDL and other community groups, our Governor’s Councillors have been flooded with calls and emails in the past few days! During the hearing on Wednesday, many Councillors referred to their many constituents who have been voicing […]

By Ruth O'Meara-Costello|2019-06-24T13:27:44+00:00June 10th, 2019|Action Alert|Comments Off

Dear MACDL members,

On April 11, the House Committee on Ways & Means released its budget recommendations for the next fiscal year, FY 2019. The House budget provides for an increase in appropriation for private counsel compensation, increasing the rate of compensation for Superior Court cases from $60 to $68 per hour and for Mental Health cases from $50 to $53 per hour.

While we are pleased to see the […]

By Jim DiNatale|2018-04-17T15:35:44+00:00April 17th, 2018|Action Alert|Comments Off

Increase Pay for Court Appointed Lawyers

Your IMMEDIATE help is needed! The Massachusetts Legislature is currently considering House Bill 751 increasing the rate of pay for their bar advocates. Sponsored by Rep Cronin of Easton, House Bill 751 proposes:

The rates of compensation payable to all counsel, who are appointed or assigned to represent indigents within the private counsel division of the committee in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of section 6, shall, subject […]

By Jim DiNatale|2018-02-15T14:46:13+00:00February 15th, 2018|Action Alert, News|0 Comments

Racial Justice Resources

We have posted a resource page of annotated links, including guides, organizations and movements, education, policing issues, and articles helpful to public defenders.

Dismantling Structural Racism in the Commonwealth’s Criminal Courts

MACDL’s Board of Directors and Racial Justice Committee take seriously the Supreme Judicial Court’s declaration that we all must all harness the power and privilege that comes with our professional accomplishments to end racial injustice. There is no neutrality in racism; failing to take aggressive measures allows racist practices to continue.

Say Their names

MACDL is outraged by the most recent show of force and violence against Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, events that are endemic to Black America and reflect the history of racism and oppression in this country. But it is not enough to be outraged. We must confront how our criminal justice system has failed people of color…