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Criminal justice compensation hearing highlights negative impact of low ADA, defender salaries

Issue April 2014

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.