缅因州公设辩护系统已耗尽资金, Maine’s public defense system is out of money, risking legal rights for poor defendants unless emergency funding passes.

缅因州的公设辩护机构已耗尽资金,无法为贫困被告支付私人律师费,最后付款定于3月23日支付。 Maine’s public defense agency has exhausted its funding, leaving it unable to pay private attorneys for indigent defendants, with final payments scheduled for March 23. 由于多年来资金不足,国家面临案件积压和更多被告无人代理的风险,因此出现了1 300万美元的短缺,从而威胁到宪法规定的法律代表权。 A $13 million shortfall—due to years of underfunding—threatens constitutional rights to legal representation, as the state faces a backlog of cases and a risk of more unrepresented defendants. 缅因参议院通过了紧急筹资立法,但众议院没有承诺予以支持,该法案要求在4月立法者休会之前获得三分之二多数通过。 The Maine Senate passed emergency funding legislation, but the House has not committed to supporting it, and the bill requires a two-thirds majority to pass before lawmakers adjourn in April. 如果不采取行动,律师可能会拒绝审理今后的案件,从而破坏司法系统。 Without action, attorneys may decline future cases, undermining the justice system.