Tell Maine Lawmakers: Pass LD 340 to uphold the constitutional right to a speedy trial

Support LD 340: Uphold the right to a speedy trial.

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The problem:

The right to a speedy trial is critical to the presumption of innocence and the administration of justice. Maine is one of just seven states that does not have clear timelines for when cases should be brought to trial, what kinds of delays are excusable, and what the remedy is for excessive delay.

Enforcing the right to a speedy trial ensures criminal cases can be resolved efficiently and fairly. It is in the best interest of people who have been harmed, people accused of committing a crime, the public at large, and the courts. Without LD 340, Maine will continue violating the people's constitutional rights and court backlogs will continue to grow.

The recipient:

Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary

The problem:

The recipient:

Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary

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Your Message

Subject Support LD 340, Enforce the Right to a Speedy Trial

As your constituent, I respectfully urge you to support LD 340 to uphold Maine people's right to a speedy trial, just as the Constitution requires. Right now, Maine courts are bogged down with historic backlogs, and people who have been accused of crimes but who are presumed innocent are paying the price. Maine is one of just nine states without a speedy trial law. LD 340 would have Maine join the 43 other states and the federal government by enacting specific timelines to ensure that criminal cases proceed fairly and efficiently.

Message Body

No person should be jailed, separated from their family and community, and unable to work simply because the state cannot carry out its basic duties in a timely manner. When the government chooses to charge a person with a crime, it is the government’s responsibility to provide a fair legal process, including a speedy trial.
 
Without action, the state will continue burdening people accused of crimes with unprecedented delays, forcing them to wait months and even years for trial, often while incarcerated. Requiring criminal cases to move forward in a timely manner is in the best interest of the people harmed by an alleged crime, the people accused of committing a crime, the public, and the courts.
 
Additionally, LD 340 will help address court backlogs, which are continuing to grow. Maine’s backlog in criminal cases has increased by double-digits since before the pandemic: pending criminal cases rose by 65% between March 2019 and March 2022. The backlog stands at well over 20,000 unresolved cases, and state leaders estimate that Maine won’t even be able to start addressing the backlog until 2028.

Lawmakers must pass legislation to establish clear timelines for when cases should be brought to trial, what kinds of delays are excusable, and what the remedy is for excessive delay. LD 340 will provide much-needed clarity to courts, prosecutors, and defendants alike. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]

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Tell Maine Lawmakers: Pass LD 340 to uphold the constitutional right to a speedy trial

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