A robbery charge against Jesse D. Nichols was dismissed this week after he completed the Co-Occurring Disorders Court program, which seeks to treat criminal defendants with substance abuse problems and help them get back on their feet.
criminal justice
Posted inLocal & State
Changes eyed to strip ‘prisoners’ and ‘inmates’ from Maine’s statute books
Lawmakers aim to replace language considered stigmatizing with gentler alternatives such as ‘resident of a jail.’
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Posted inMaine Voices, Op-Eds, Opinion
Maine Voices: Sentence in domestic violence killing bodes poorly for women’s safety
The punishment handed down Dec. 28 in a Newport woman’s death – and the media coverage – minimize the abuse and turn it on the victim.
Posted inNews
Emery Community Arts Center hosts exhibit, meetings on mass-incarceration reform and prisoner-advocacy
UMF is hosting a series of Franklin County community action meetings on restorative justice with local law enforcement, organizations, leaders and other state prisoner advocacy and reentry organizations.
Posted inEditorials, Opinion
Our View: Criminal justice reforms atop Maine Legislature’s 2021 achievements
Now Gov. Mills should sign bills that would close Long Creek, end cash bail and decriminalize drug possession.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Bill to eliminate cash bail in Maine for minor crimes advances
On a 10-2 vote, the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee endorsed a bill that would prohibit jailing suspects who can’t pay bail on most misdemeanor charges.
Posted inEditorials, Opinion
Our View: Maine should cut use of cash bail
County jails are full of people awaiting trial, mostly for minor offenses.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Local & State
District attorney in Lewiston pushes to decriminalize prostitution
Some worry the move might spur more commercial sex in Maine as pimps tell young exploited women ‘you won’t get in trouble because it’s legal in Androscoggin.’
Posted inNation & World
Police reform bill gets new urgency in Congress, but the obstacles are the same
Lawmakers hope the conviction last week of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin could provide the tipping point after decades of failed attempts to overhaul policing tactics.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Bill would seal records of convictions for minor marijuana offenses in Maine
Convictions for minor marijuana possession that is no longer illegal would be sealed from the public and others, and that’s drawing opposition from public access advocates.