Public defenders in Massachusetts and other states demand a pay raise

By Deborah Becker

Published August 5, 2025 at 4:07 AM EDT

Dozens of criminal cases are being dismissed in Massachusetts and other states as public defenders refuse to take on new cases until they get a pay raise.

Deborah Becker

Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.

Contribute now

Related Content

NPR News

Their son was shot by police in Bangladesh's 2024 protests. They still want justice

Shamim Chowdhury

In July and August of 2024 in Bangladesh, student protesters' push for change drove the authoritarian prime minister out of power. Hundreds of demonstrators were killed.
NPR News

What's the secret to India's moves to conquer the global chess scene?

Omkar Khandekar

With the Women's World Cup in the bag and 88 grand masters, India is ready to take over the chess world. And they're making sure their youngsters are poised to checkmate.
Interviews

EKU President on Pell Grant reduction, Higher Ed pressure and EKU convocation

Mike Savage

Our regular conversation with EKU President David McFaddin
NPR News

Texas GOP threatens to arrest Democratic leaders. And, why 2 NASA missions could end

Brittney Melton

Texas GOP is threatening to arrest Democratic lawmakers unless they return to vote on redrawing the congressional map. And, two NASA satellite missions that scientists and farmers rely on could end.
NPR News

New books this week: unconventional novels and an oral history of Hiroshima, Nagasaki

Colin Dwyer

An oral history of the atomic bomb detonations 80 years ago leads this week's list of publishing highlights, which also includes a handful of novels by authors including Louis Sachar and Jason Mott.