Maine is one of only seven states without a law outlining specific timelines to ensure criminal cases proceed fairly and efficiently. The right to a speedy trial is critical to the presumption of innocence and the fair administration of justice.
AUGUSTA – The ACLU of Maine will testify to lawmakers in support of LD 340, a bill to enforce speedy trial rights in Maine and protect Mainers from unconstitutional delays in criminal legal proceedings.
Maine is one of only seven states that does not have a law outlining specific timelines to ensure that criminal cases proceed fairly and efficiently, as required by the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The right to a speedy trial is critical to the presumption of innocence and the fair administration of justice.
The ACLU of Maine previously testified to the legislature that some people in Maine are “waiting years for their day in court: that’s years before people have a chance to defend their innocence, and years before victims of crimes can see that justice is being done. When criminal trials are unreasonably delayed, everyone loses.”
LD 340 will not only hold the state accountable to its Sixth Amendment obligations, but will also help keep Maine’s unprecedented court backlog from getting worse. Implementing the Speedy Trial Act will allow courts and prosecutors to prioritize and allocate resources to cases that need to move more quickly and deprioritize cases that don’t.
“When the government chooses to charge a person with a crime, it is the government’s responsibility to provide a fair legal process, including a speedy trial,” said ACLU of Maine Legal Director Carol Garvan. “The scales of justice tip against people when they are denied a speedy trial. No person should be jailed, separated from their family and community, and unable to work simply because the state cannot carry out its basic duties in a timely manner.”
WHO:
Carol Garvan, legal director for the ACLU of Maine, will deliver testimony in support of the legislation.
TIME & LOCATION:
Monday, March 3, at 1 p.m.
Maine State House, Augusta, State House Room 438
