US EditionSenate and House Pass Bill Including Pay Raise for Public Defenders
SUFFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS, JUL 31 – The $259 million bill raises public defenders’ pay by over 30% and funds hiring of 320 new attorneys to address a backlog caused by a legal representation crisis.
- On Wednesday, Massachusetts lawmakers passed S 2575, granting public defenders a $10 an hour raise now and another $10 next year.
- On Thursday, Massachusetts lawmakers moved to resolve a court backlog by passing a funding bill, without mention of work stoppages or case dismissals.
- The $259 million supplemental budget includes allocating $40 million to double staffing at the Committee for Public Counsel Services and hire 320 public defenders by fiscal 2027, with a $20 an hour pay increase over two years.
- Amid ongoing uncertainty, legislative leaders said the bill provides stability despite uncertainty at the federal level, supporting funding for more than 100 cases and hiring public defenders.
- Lawmakers project the bill will help address the legal crisis by increasing funding for public defenders, with about $259 million expected annually from the fiscal 2026 and 2027 budgets.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Bar advocates call pay raise from lawmakers "ridiculous"
BOSTON (WWLP) - Following a work stoppage in May, bar advocates are getting a pay raise--but it is not as high as they requested. Bar advocates are private attorneys who are responsible for representing about 80% of the Bay State's public defense cases, and they say their compensation is far lower than neighboring states. This week, the House and Senate passed a supplemental budget including a 30% pay raise for these attorneys, or $20 an hour ov…
Mass. lawmakers pass bill that includes pay raise for public defenders amid legal crisis
Massachusetts lawmakers have passed a funding bill that includes a pay raise for public defenders in hopes of ending a legal crisis. At least 120 court cases have been prematurely dismissed in the state because defendants couldn't get attorneys to represent them.
Eagle-Tribune
Gloucester Daily TimesPublic defenders balk at 'slap in the face' raise proposal
BOSTON — State lawmakers have approved pay raises for public defenders who represent indigent defendants, but many private attorneys say the increased compensation won't be enough to get them to take new cases.
Mass. Legislature sends $259M funding bill, with raises for bar advocates, to Gov. Healey
The spending plan lawmakers sent to Healey on Thursday "addresses timely issues through key, targeted investments," state House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano, D-3rd Norfolk, said.
Associated Press News
Massachusetts lawmakers pass bill that includes pay raise for public defenders amid legal crisis
Massachusetts lawmakers have passed a funding bill that includes a pay raise for public defenders in hopes of ending a legal crisis.
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