Maine
Trial over Maine’s indigent defense crisis set to begin in December
A judge has scheduled a two-week trial in December to address Maine’s indigent defense crisis, nearly three years after a civil rights organization first filed a lawsuit over the issue.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Maine is suing the state, alleging that it is violating the constitutional rights of criminal defendants who can’t afford legal counsel, who are entitled to a lawyer at the state’s expense.
At least 800 people accused of crimes were waiting for a court-appointed lawyer, according to an ACLU analysis of court data on Monday. A quarter of those people were in jail. Roughly 670 had been waiting more than 10 days for a lawyer, according to the ACLU, and more than 450 had been waiting more than a month.
That’s because the state does not have enough attorneys, mostly private lawyers, taking on court-appointed work.
At trial, the ACLU will ask the court to declare that Maine is violating both state and federal law by not providing enough lawyers to the people it charges.
Carol Garvan, the legal director at ACLU of Maine, talks with Zachary Heiden, the chief counsel at the ACLU of Maine, during a hearing with Superior Justice Michaela Murphy in Kennebec County Superior Court in September 2023. Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographe
“We will be arguing that when people are waiting for weeks, sometimes even for months, to get an attorney, then important evidence is lost in their cases,” said the ACLU’s legal director, Carol Garvan. “Their cases can’t be investigated. Important witnesses’ memories fade, cases cannot move forward. Those kinds of delays undermine the basic constitutional right to a fair trial, which is what the right to counsel is all about.”
A spokesperson for the Office of the Maine Attorney General, which is representing the state defendants, including the Maine Commission on Public Defense Services, said their attorneys do not comment on pending litigation.
The parties have until Oct. 4 to decide whether any of the trial will involve a jury. And they have until Nov. 15 to finalize witness lists. Garvan said they were unable to share a tentative list Friday, but it’s likely their case will involve experts and people who have been affected by the crisis.
She mentioned firsthand accounts of people who have lost their jobs and housing while waiting in jail; one person missed their child’s birthday and wasn’t even able to call.
“They’re sitting there, knowing that the whole weight of the prosecution, of the state, is being brought against them,” Garvan said. “And they have no one on their side. … They don’t know what their rights are, they don’t know who to call to understand what is even happening in their case, and they don’t know how long this is going to last, because it could be a few days or it could be months before they get counsel.”
YEARS IN THE MAKING
The ACLU of Maine filed its lawsuit over Maine’s indigent defense system in March 2022.
At the time, the ACLU’s chief concerns were the quality of legal representation provided to defendants – they alleged private lawyers, overseen by the commission, weren’t communicating with their clients or spending enough time on their cases.
But then in November 2023, Maine’s courts acknowledged some defendants weren’t getting any legal representation at all. The number of lawyers available to accept new criminal cases in various counties has plummeted, leaving hundreds of constitutionally entitled defendants in limbo.
Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy presides during a hearing at Kennebec County Superior Court in September 2023. Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographe
After the parties attempted to settle their original lawsuit several times, Superior Justice Michaela Murphy ordered the ACLU and the commission to go to trial and raise a case that addresses the state’s current reality. That meant convincing Murphy to also let them sue the state of Maine and Attorney General Aaron Frey, whose office oversees prosecutions of homicides and works with district attorneys.
Murphy will order a second trial, to address the quality of indigent representation, at a later time.
The ACLU was granted class action status, meaning they represent the interests of all criminal defendants who are entitled to a lawyer.
On Thursday, Murphy agreed the class includes anyone who is eligible for a court-appointed lawyer, but who is still unrepresented after their first appearance or arraignment. That includes people facing felony charges and misdemeanors.
A ‘WHOLE STATE’ APPROACH
Even if the court were to agree that the state is violating constitutional rights, it’s still unclear what any relief would look like.
“Ultimately the purposes of this lawsuit is to hold the state accountable,” said Garvan. “That means there’s going to need to be a sort of ‘whole state’ approach.”
One potential remedy, said Garvan, is to release people who don’t have counsel from jail or dismiss their charges without prejudice.
Last year, a Maine Supreme Judicial Court justice rejected a request from a pair of lawyers who do indigent defense work to create a statewide process in which unrepresented defendants are released from jail after seven days. A similar rule is in place in Oregon.
Some Maine judges have lowered bail for unrepresented defendants and one has ordered a charge be dismissed, but this varies from case to case and county to county.
Prosecutors and victim advocates have voiced concerns around this practice and questioned what the commission and the courts are doing to prioritize appointing counsel in cases where serious violence is being alleged.
Many have welcomed the opening of public defense offices around the state as movement in the right direction. In Kennebec County, where the first brick-and-mortar office is in full swing, only seven defendants were in need of a lawyer on Wednesday, according to data compiled by the courts.
But a majority of cases are still being handled by private attorneys.
“It is both not going to fix things immediately and it is not a silver bullet,” said Garvan. “I don’t think there’s anyone who thinks that will automatically fix everything, but I think that’s been one positive (change).”
Maine
This Monster Burrito Challenge in Waterville, Maine, Is Not for the Weak
Are you up for a Maine food challenge, or are your eyes bigger than your stomach?
A Waterville staple, Buen Apetito has a monster burrito just waiting for someone to eat it down to the very last bite.
This thing is a beast, literally called La Bestia, and it’s definitely a mighty task for a fearless foodie.
Take on the Buen Apetito La Bestia Food Challenge in Waterville, Maine
According to Buen Apetito, if you can finish a super-sized burrito in 30 minutes or less, you’ll get the $60 meal for free, a La Bestia champion shirt, and a picture on the wall of fame. That’s not to mention the bragging rights of dominating a task few will be able to conquer.
Wondering what’s in the burrito?
The Mexican restaurant shared in a Facebook comment on a post that the burrito is filled with “grilled chicken, chorizo, and tender shredded beef or pork. Built on a layer of seasoned rice, refried beans, and French fries, it’s melted together with a shredded Mexican cheese blend and a drizzle of creamy cheese sauce, sautéed peppers and onions, green salsa, pico de gallo, sour cream, creamy guacamole, and a bed of shredded lettuce all wrapped in three extra-large tortillas fused into one epic wrap.”
Let’s just say that this thing is packed full.
The first La Bestia contender took up his fork and knife in December 2025, but despite coming close, he couldn’t come out with the win.
As of March 2026, the challenge has remained undefeated. But you never know, someone is bound to come out victorious.
Just note that you can only try your hand at this food challenge on Wednesday and Thursday.
Buen Apetito Has Been a Longstanding Waterville, Maine, Restaurant
First opened in 1999, Buen Apeitito has been around for nearly 30 years.
Centralmaine.com reported that the Mexican restaurant was originally located at the Railroad Square complex off Chaplin Street before moving to 99 West River Road in 2023.
A little over a year later, in 2024, Buen Apetito shared on Facebook that it was passing on the torch to new owners, including Dalia, “the heart and soul of [the] kitchen for twenty years,” her daughter, Norma, and Norma’s husband, Shawn.
READ MORE: Famous Maine Restaurant Buen Apetito Adds Powerhouse New Owner to Crew
And it seems like not only are things still going strong, but new additions like La Bestia food challenge are only enhancing the spirit of big flavor and delicious Mexican food at the Waterville staple.
So, you think you’re up for the task of taking down a beast of a burrito at Buen Apetito? Good luck.
You Know You’re From Maine If You’ve Tried All 19 of These Foods
Here’s a number of foods associated with Maine. How many of them have you had?
Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna
The New York Time’s Best Restaurant Lists Feature These 7 Maine Spots
Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna
Maine
How the Good Neighbor Day of Giving telethon is impacting Maine’s communities
BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – Monday’s telethon held by WABI in partnership with Penquis and Heart of Maine United Way Monday raised money for the heating of homes, something so basic, yet so significant in a state like Maine.
Danielle Hewes, Penquis contributor and volunteer, says some people might not even know that they qualify for heating assistance.
“I think there’s this misconception that you can’t get that if you’re working. Like that’s just for people on general assistance. The truth of the matter is this is for the people that are maybe not able to work, but also for the people that are working. They’re making ends meet,” she said.
For Danielle, that’s what makes events like the telethon so special: it’s making a real difference in the community with people who need the help the most.
Speaking about Penquis in particular, she said, “You learn about all of the other things they do and how they help the community and you can’t help but want to be a part of that.”
If you weren’t able to donate Monday, donations are still being accepted.
You can go to homeunitedway.org/heat.
You can also call 941-2800.
Copyright 2026 WABI. All rights reserved.
Maine
Arizona Sen. Gallego endorses Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine Democrat Graham Platner has picked up another high-profile endorsement in his bid to flip a key Senate seat blue, marking another sign of the oyster farmer and combat veteran’s political resiliency even as he continues to face controversy throughout his campaign.
Arizona Democrat Ruben Gallego announced Monday that he was backing Platner, saying that the first-time candidate “reflects the grit and independence that defines Maine.”
“Graham Platner is the kind of fighter Maine hasn’t seen in a long time, someone who tells you exactly what he thinks, doesn’t owe anything to the special interests, and wakes up every day thinking about working families,” said Gallego, who won a Senate seat in Arizona in 2024 by more than 2 points while Trump carried the state by nearly 6 points.
Platner has previously been endorsed by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, and New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich, a Democrat.
However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has endorsed Platner’s main opponent, Maine Gov. Janet Mills.
Both Platner, 41, and Mills, 78, are hoping to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins, 73, a five-term incumbent who announced last month that she was running for another term. A victory in Maine is crucial for Democrats’ efforts to take back control of the Senate. The Democratic Party needs to net four seats to retake the Senate majority, and they are aiming to do that in Maine, North Carolina, Alaska and Ohio.
READ MORE: Maine’s Graham Platner thinks voters will overlook his past to support a new type of candidate
Platner has gained traction with his anti-establishment image and economic equality message. He’s pressed forward despite controversies over old social media posts and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, which he recently had covered up.
Gallego is among the Democrats named as possible 2028 presidential contenders. Last fall, he stumped in New Jersey, Virginia and Florida, where he campaigned for Democrats who went on to win their elections.
“I have an immense amount of respect for him and I’m looking forward to joining him as a fellow Marine and combat infantryman in the U.S. Senate,” Platner said in a statement.
Kruesi reported from Providence, Rhode Island.
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