"When I Started, an Average Caseload Was Around 180 Cases — Now We All Have Over 300.” — The Strain on Maine’s Justice System PART ONE

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Deputy District Attorney Chelsea Lynds of Penobscot and Piscataquis Counties discusses how Maine’s justice system is straining under the weight of rising felony cases, staffing shortages, and the defense crisis for indigent people. She explains how caseloads for prosecutors have doubled since 2019, the fallout from COVID and attorney shortages, bail reforms, and the challenge of “catch-and-release” dynamics with repeat offenders.

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This episode of Q-Point Podcast is prerecorded, produced, and sponsored by Corenna Quirk, Broker at NextHome Experience. The opinions and perspectives shared in this program are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect those of the Q-Point Podcast or its affiliates.

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פרקים

1. "When I Started, an Average Caseload Was Around 180 Cases — Now We All Have Over 300.” — The Strain on Maine’s Justice System PART ONE (00:00:00)

2. Meet Chelsea Lynds: Deputy District Attorney (00:00:22)

3. Stress Points Across Maine’s Courts (00:01:41)

4. The Defense Attorney Crisis in Maine (00:04:34)

5. Public Defender’s Office vs. Court-Appointed System (00:06:10)

6. Bail Reform and Cashless Bail Explained (00:15:44)

7. When the System Can’t Handle the Middle Ground (00:21:43)

8. Prosecutor vs. Private Practice: A Career Choice (00:24:17)