马萨诸塞州最高司法法院裁定法官不能提高法庭指派辩护律师的薪酬, Massachusetts’ Supreme Judicial Court ruled judges can’t raise pay for court-appointed defense lawyers, upholding legislative control over compensation.

马萨诸塞州最高法院裁定法官不能为代表贫穷被告的私人律师加薪, Massachusetts’ highest court ruled judges cannot raise pay for private lawyers representing poor defendants, upholding that only the Legislature can set compensation. 这一决定是在许多律师于2025年5月因薪酬低而停止受理案件,导致数千起审判被推迟之后作出的。 The decision comes after many attorneys stopped taking cases in May 2025 over low pay, causing thousands of trials to be delayed. 虽然立法机构批准增加工资和为新的公设辩护人提供资金,但法院说,现有的措施是足够的,司法干预将违反分权。 While the Legislature approved pay increases and funding for new public defenders, the court said existing measures are sufficient and judicial intervention would violate separation of powers. 维权团体警告低利率仍危及被告获得律师服务的权利。 Advocacy groups warn low rates still jeopardize defendants’ right to counsel.