{"id":2465724,"date":"2025-07-23T14:01:01","date_gmt":"2025-07-23T18:01:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/120-criminal-cases-dismissed-in-massachusetts-over-attorney-pay-dispute-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-07-23T14:05:02","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T18:05:02","slug":"120-criminal-cases-dismissed-in-massachusetts-over-attorney-pay-dispute-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/120-criminal-cases-dismissed-in-massachusetts-over-attorney-pay-dispute-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"120 criminal cases dismissed in Massachusetts over attorney pay dispute &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2F120-criminal-cases-dismissed-in-massachusetts-over-attorney-pay-dispute-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2465724&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Over 120 criminal cases in Massachusetts have been dismissed due to a strike by defense attorneys who perform court-appointed work. These attorneys have halted their services for eight weeks to protest low pay and a shortage of lawyers in this field. The dismissals, mostly involving minor crimes such as shoplifting and drug possession, were ordered under the Lavallee protocol, which allows cases to be dismissed if defendants have been without appointed counsel for over seven days. Some more serious cases, including assault on police and domestic violence, were also affected. Prosecutors have expressed concern and plan to refile charges. Attorneys argue their current pay rate of $65 per hour is insufficient compared to higher rates in neighboring states and private practice. governor Maura Healey emphasized the need to resolve the strike promptly to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/minnesota-governor-calls-in-national-guard-ahead-of-trial-over-george-floyds-death\/\" title=\"Minnesota Governor Calls In National Guard Ahead Of Trial Over George Floyd\u2019s Death\">ensure public safety<\/a> and uphold defendants&#8217; right to depiction.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">120 criminal cases dismissed in Massachusetts over attorney pay dispute<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2179628\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>More than 100 criminal cases have been dismissed in Massachusetts during a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3466694\/criminal-defendants-released-boston-jail-defense-lawyer-work-stoppage\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">strike by some defense attorneys<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>For the past eight weeks, the majority of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Massachusetts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Massachusetts<\/a> bar advocates, private attorneys who take court-appointed work paid for by the Commonwealth outside their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/criminal-defendants-released-from-jail-due-to-defense-lawyers-shortage\/\" title=\"... released from jail due to defense lawyers shortage\">typical private responsibilities<\/a>, have stopped their work in protest of low pay and a shortage of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/lawyers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">lawyers<\/a> in their field.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3479617\/obama-team-ignored-russian-intel-hillary-clinton-health-2016\/\">Obama team ignored Russian intel on Clinton&rsquo;s health in 2016, declassified report says<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3479196\/doj-fires-alina-habba-replacement-desiree-leigh-grace\/\">DOJ fires Habba replacement hours after New Jersey judges rejected Trump pick<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3478711\/alina-habba-replaced-top-prosecutor-new-jersey\/\">Alina Habba replaced as New Jersey&#8217;s top prosecutor<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Boston Municipal Court Chief Justice Tracy-Lee Lyons invoked the Lavallee protocol in dismissing each case. The protocol requires poor criminal defendants to be released if they have not had an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/robert-mueller-to-teach-course-on-his-trump-investigation\/\" title=\"Robert Mueller to Teach Course on His Trump Investigation\">appointed attorney<\/a> for more than seven days. Per the protocol, after 45 days, their cases can be dismissed without prejudice.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Most cases were for minor crimes like shoplifting, drug possession, and motor vehicle violations. At least three cases were more serious offenses, including assault on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/police\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">police officers<\/a> and domestic violence.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This case will be dismissed without prejudice,&rdquo; Lyons said repeatedly. She noted that all fines and fees would be waived.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Prosecutors objected to the dismissals. James Borghesani, a spokesperson for the Suffolk County district attorney&rsquo;s office, in a statement said the office would re-prosecute all the cases.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The case dismissals today, with many more expected in coming days and weeks, present a clear and continuing threat to public safety,&rdquo; Borghesani said.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Our prosecutors and victim witness advocates are working extremely hard to keep victims and other impacted persons updated on what&rsquo;s happening with their cases,&rdquo; he continued. &ldquo;These are difficult conversations. We remain hopeful that a structural solution will be found to address the causal issues here and prevent any repeat.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>As a result of the bar advocate strike, dozens of criminal defendants who are without a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/he-spent-three-years-in-jail-for-a-false-accusation-of-rape-now-hes-finally-free\/\" title=\"He Spent Three Years In Jail For A False Accusation Of Rape. Now He\u2019s Finally Free.\">court-appointed attorney<\/a> have been released. Bar advocates have said that their current rate of $65 an hour, which does not include benefits, retirement, is not enough money. They have compared their wages to nearby states, which offer $150 per hour in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Maine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Maine<\/a>, $125 in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/New-Hampshire\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">New Hampshire<\/a>, and $112 in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Rhode-Island\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Rhode Island<\/a>, to defense attorneys. They have also noted they could be making more than $300 per hour for private work.<\/p>\n<p>They proposed a pay increase to $73 an hour over the next two fiscal years. The 2026 fiscal year budget, which has not yet been signed into law, does not include a pay increase for public defenders.<\/p>\n<p>Full-time public defenders usually cover about 20% of <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >court-appointed cases<\/a> for needy clients. The remaining 80% are handled by bar advocates.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3224765\/senate-democrats-hope-midterms-2024-downballot\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>SENATE DEMOCRATS SEE HOPE FOR MIDTERMS WITH 2024 DOWNBALLOT RESULTS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Gov. Maura Healey (D-MA) said Tuesday that the strike needs to be resolved.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This is a public safety issue and also a due process issue as people need representation,&rdquo; she told reporters. &ldquo;I know the parties are talking. They have got to find a way to work this out. We need lawyers in court &hellip; and certainly they need to be paid fairly.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2179628\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2179628\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>120 criminal cases dropped amid Massachusetts attorney strike<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2910,"featured_media":2465725,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AP24095799733367-1024x683.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[59735,39631,39502,5610],"class_list":["post-2465724","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-attorney-pay-dispute","tag-criminal-cases","tag-legal-system","tag-massachusetts"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AP24095799733367-1024x683.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2465724","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2910"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2465724"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2465724\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2465733,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2465724\/revisions\/2465733"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2465725"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2465724"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2465724"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2465724"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}