Maine

The state of Maine funds and administers all indigent defense services in adult criminal trials. A state commission is responsible for providing oversight of services statewide. 

The state of Maine funds and administers all indigent defense services for adult criminal cases in its appellate courts. A state commission is responsible for providing oversight of services statewide.

  • 16 Counties State Funded

  • 16 Counties State Administered

  • 16 Counties with a Commission With Statewide Authority

  • 16 Counties State Funded

  • 16 Counties State Administered

  • 16 Counties with a Commission With Statewide Authority

The state of Maine funds and administers indigent defense services statewide. The Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services (MCILS) provides representation in all adult and juvenile cases, including at both the trial and appellate levels. MCILS administers indigent defense services mainly through private attorneys paid hourly. MCILS provides courts with lists of private attorneys based on the case types for which they are eligible, and judges assign cases to individual attorneys. MCILS also employs full-time public defenders in one public defender office in Augusta and in the Rural Defender Unit, which is a public defender unit without a fixed location.

An executive director leads MCILS, and a nine-member commission oversees the agency. The governor appoints the commission members from recommendations by various groups. Two of the members have no voting power. The commission is responsible for hiring the executive director and establishing standards. The executive director manages MCILS’ daily operations and is responsible for enforcing the commission’s standards.

The state of Maine funds and administers indigent defense services statewide. The Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services (MCILS) is responsible for providing representation in all adult and juvenile trials and appeals. MCILS administers indigent defense services mainly through private attorneys paid hourly. MCILS provides courts with lists of private attorneys based on the case types for which they are eligible, and judges assign cases to individual attorneys.

An executive director leads MCILS, and a nine-member commission oversees the agency. The governor appoints the commission members from recommendations by various groups. Two of the members have no voting power. The commission is responsible for appointing the executive director and establishing standards. The executive director manages MCILS’ daily operations and is responsible for enforcing the commission’s standards.

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