The bail commissioner is an obscure but essential part of Maine’s criminal justice system, and critics say it is in need of serious updating. A newsroom investigation uncovered repeated shortcomings despite attempts to overhaul the system.
And that change may finally be happening because of tragedy. The deaths of a mother and her two children at the hands of their husband and father is becoming a rallying point for changes in the system from an unofficial coalition of domestic violence groups, leading Republicans and Democrats and the state’s top judge and top cop.
FEATURED STORY:
Maine’s bail system: A 19th century holdover
The bail commissioner is an obscure but essential part of Maine’s criminal justice system, and critics say it is in need of serious updating.
All Stories:
Dexter tragedy brings bipartisan focus to domestic violence bail decisions
The Lake tragedy may be what brings major reform to how Maine's criminal justice system handles dangerous domestic violence cases.
‘Broken’ bail system freed man who went on to murder family
Until now, there has been little recognition outside of the 2006 study that recommended Maine's bail system be revised.
Improvements incremental for bail system problems
Proposed budget restores to Maine's judicial system to level that helped improve hiring and training of bail commissioners.
Maine’s bail system: Best state can afford or a threat to due process?
Critics say the limited training and expertise and inconsistency in how bails are set reveal a system in need of updating.
Officials may set bond amounts without full criminal history
Without a full and accurate picture of the defendant, experts say a bail commissioner could either set the wrong amount of bail.