The Massachusetts Bar Association's Blue Ribbon Commission on
Criminal Justice Attorney Compensation heard from more than 30
criminal law practitioners and public officials during a three-hour
public hearing on Wednesday, March 26, at the John Adams Courthouse
in Boston. Prosecutors, defense attorneys and two court chiefs
testified about how low salaries have negatively impacted attorney
retention, public safety and access to justice. Testimony from the
hearing will factor in to the Commission's recommendations, which
will be released in its forthcoming report - the first in 20 years
to address the issue of criminal justice compensation.