Maine’s lead public defender resigns after month on job

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The lead lawyer from the state’s first 5 public defenders abruptly resigned, forcing the director of the Maine Fee on Indigent Authorized Companies to tackle the position.

The Maine Fee on Indigent Authorized Companies held an emergency assembly Wednesday by which Govt Director Justin Andrus took on the lead lawyer’s duties for as much as six months.

Seth Levy’s resignation late final week got here the state tries to get a public defender workplace up and working.

Andrus declined to touch upon the explanation for Levy’s resignation, however he stated the workers stays enthusiastic. “We expect it’s terrific we have now this chance, and it’s going very, very properly from a consumer companies perspective regardless of challenges,” he informed Maine Public.

Maine, which has been criticized for shortcomings in offering authorized illustration for low-income Mainers, was the one state within the nation and not using a public defender’s workplace till the 5 public defenders had been employed final month. Gov. Janet Mills’ proposed funds contains funding for 10 extra public defenders.

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