This week at the ACLU of Maine: Arguments at Maine's highest court, supporting local art and civil liberties, celebrating Banned Books Week, and preparing for the Scolnik Award to honor Mainers committed to civil liberties.
Arguments at the Maine Supreme Judicial Court
On Tuesday, we continued the fight to uphold the right to counsel for people who cannot afford their own attorney in our case Robbins v. State of Maine. Earlier this year, we won an order from the trial court requiring the state to provide attorneys and establish a plan to end this ongoing crisis – but the state appealed, putting solutions on hold.
The Constitution requires states to provide attorneys to people who have been charged with a crime and cannot afford their own, but Maine has been failing to meet that obligation for years.
At the time of our trial in January of this year, there were 991 pending criminal cases with no attorney, and 51 cases had been without counsel for over a year. As the trial court wrote in its landmark ruling, "The Plaintiffs in this case have not been convicted of the crimes for which they are charged. Each of them is still presumed to be innocent under the Maine and United States Constitutions. And yet many of them remain in custody, without counsel."
Limited Edition Prints to Support the ACLU of Maine and Local Art
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Ryan and Rachel Adams are artists living in Portland. Earlier this year, Ryan created a mural for the ACLU of Maine's office. Now, Ryan and his wife, Rachel, have created and designed a print in collaboration with Phippsburg-based Paper Tides Printing to support the ACLU of Maine.
You can purchase a print of Power to the People to support the ACLU of Maine. This limited-time sale will be available until October 19, 2025. The artists are generously donating proceeds to the ACLU of Maine.
Defending the Freedom to Read with the Maine Library Association for Banned Books Week
This Banned Books Week, we’re teaming up with the Maine Library Association to defend the freedom to read – because democracy depends on open access to ideas. Read more about censorship, your First Amendment rights to express yourself and access information, and check our out Maine Banned Books Reading List.
We are delighted to share that the ACLU of Maine will host the Scolnik Award Reception on November 12, 2025. This signature event honors the legacy of Louis Scolnik, a justice on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, and the co-founder and first president of the ACLU of Maine. The Scolnik Award Reception brings together community leaders, advocates, and supporters from across Maine who share a deep commitment to justice. Join us to honor Justice Scolnik’s enduring legacy and ensure the ACLU of Maine can continue its vital work in the courts, at the State House, and in communities.
