AUGUSTA, Maine - In her annual State of the Judiciary speech to the Legislature, Maine Chief Justice Leigh Saufley called for a study of the way Maine determines who should be held in jail pending trial.
Saufley said public safety is at risk. "The goals are simple: reduce the financial and human cost of unnecessary incarnation without compromising individual or community safety or the integrity of the criminal justice system," she said.
Saufley said studies have shown that some people are who are not a significant risk to the public are being jailed, while others who should not be allowed back into society before trial are given bail.
Gov. Paul LePage and legislative leaders have agreed to name members of a task force to look into the issue.
