News & Commentary

This session, the Maine Legislature will consider LD 1765 - An Act to Establish the Criminal Law Revision Commission. If passed, this bill would create a commission to examine and revise all criminal statutes found within and outside of the Maine Criminal Code. In Maine, the last comprehensive study of our criminal laws was undertaken in the 1970s. As much has changed in our criminal justice system since that time, this is an important opportunity for us to not only re-examine our laws but also fundamentally re-align our criminal justice priorities.

Last Thursday, Anna and I took a field trip to the Engine Art Gallery in Biddeford to see the exhibit “Reflect: Convicts’ Letters to Their Younger Selves.” In the exhibit letters from prisoners were super-imposed over their picture. Beside the photo a label listed their first name, crime, how many years they had served and how many they had left. All the letters expressed deep sadness and regret. These men – some who had committed very serious crimes – had lost everything, from watching their children grow up to deciding what to eat for dinner. 

Each Friday, we’ll bring you updates on the latest civil liberties news from Maine and the nation.

The ACLU of Maine is urging the Health and Human Service Committee to pass LD 1686, "An Act To Address Preventable Deaths from Drug Overdose" a bill that will greatly increase access to Naloxone, a drug used to prevent deaths in the case of an opioid overdose. The committee is scheduled to have a work session on the bill Monday, February 24th at 1:00pm.

Each Friday, we’ll bring you updates on the latest civil liberties news from Maine and the nation.

Each Friday, we’ll bring you updates on the latest civil liberties news from Maine and the nation.

In last night's State of the State address, Gov. LePage rightly addressed the growth of opiate abuse in Maine. There is no doubt that rapidly increasing heroin use is cause for concern and action. However, the governor's assertion that the answer should come in the form of more Drug Enforcement Agency agents, drug prosecutors and drug court judges is not the answer.

This Sunday, we received the sad news that acclaimed actor Philip Seymour Hoffman passed away in his New York apartment of an alleged drug overdose. Tragically he leaves behind a partner of fifteen year and their three children.

Each Friday, we’ll bring you updates on the latest civil liberties news from Maine and the nation.