The state's public defenders are refusing to take new cases, pointing out that even with a recently approved raise they are still among the lowest-paid in the nation. A court has ruled that it's illegal to keep poor defendants in prison for more than 7 days, so several have been released because no attorney could be found for them.

Governor Romney has filed a bill to wrest control of the state's public-defender agency away from the judicial system, saying he wants to force the public defenders to either start taking new cases or be banned from such work forever.

Who's right? What's the solution to the impasse?
Read the story: Romney seeks to seize control of public defenders

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The solution is so simple: pay the CPSC lawyers what other states pay their's. Is that really too much to ask?

Underpaid, Dorchester

I've seen firsthand how overworked these attorneys are and I think it is ridiculous the way the Governor has reacted. CPCS attorneys and Bar Advocate attorneys are simply doing their job and when the pay for that job is not enough to live off of there is a problem. Every American has the right to an attorney if they cannot afford one and these attorneys provide a service that is absolutely invaluable. Would you rather see criminals on the street because there is no attorney for them? I can assure you that these attorneys also do more than their share of pro bono work as well. So put aside your stereotypes of attorneys being money hungry ambulance chasers, which doesn't even apply in this case because these are criminal defense attorneys, and realize that the quality of your life is better because of what these people do.

Elisabeth, Boston

If the public defenders weren't spending all their time on stupid minor drug possesion charges, they'd have more time for the real stuff. Vote Libertarian!

chris, boston

Boston public defenders are among the lowest paid attorneys in the country. Even with firms like Nutter, Testa and Goodwin Proctor paying over $100K for new associates, Boston routinely ranks as one of the lowest areas for average attorney salaries. The fact that these individuals are often working long hours for $35 to $45k makes it difficult for them to justify working more. Couple this with the fact that many of them are graduating with over $100K in school loans. That equals out to about a $1,000 monthly student loan payment. Try that in addition to all of your other living expenses. As a current law student, there is no incentive to go into public service. There is no support from the law schools or the government to perform this specialized work. Maybe Romney should re-evaluate his plan to "force" people to work. He wants to "ban" these specially trained individuals from performing underappreciated work. I'm sure that punishment will really coerce the public defenders back to work. Maybe Mitt could look at ways to help reduce the burden of government loans for the service that they are providing. That is an idea that many law school administrations have supported for individuals willing to go into public service.

David, Cambridge

Public safety and civil liberties are best served by ensuring that competent counsel are available to represent indigent criminal defendants. The Massachusetts Legislature has not authorized a pay raise for the attorneys representing these defendants for approximately twenty years. The Legislature needs to fund the attorneys at a rate comparable to that available to attorneys in states with similar costs of living.

Barbara, Jamaica Plain

$37.50/hr x 40 = $1500 $1500 x 52 wk = $78,000 Seems like they are paid pretty well to me?? 78K is good dough for any job, what is the problem??

KJ, Canton

I agree with Megan from Weymouth. Contrary to what the Governor is saying, these people are not the ones who are placing the public in jeopardy. I think he's out of touch with reality. This state is one of the highest cost of living in the country. And if you are saddled with student loans, then it becomes all that more difficult to continue working in a position where you cannot earn enough to live and pay your bills. If he is interested in cutting taxes, CUT THE PAYROLL TAX IN HALF! That's the real tax. And everyone who works knows what I'm referring to.

FA, Boston

Answer is easy - pay attorneys a bit more. Rather than have them be paid the lowest in the country, would it be so hard to move that number up to the bottom 30 percentile in the country? The cost of living is high around here. We must try and brush aside the contemptuous feelings we have for most attorneys.

John, Attleboro

Earth to Rand, we have a presumption of innocence in this country in case you forgot. The "scum of the earth" you are referring to have not be convicted of anything and deserve legal representation just as you do. You related to Ashcroft by any chance?

Nick, Dedham

Fire Mitt Romney! He'd rather let criminals go free than pay for public defenders. He would also rather not pay for teachers to teach our kids. All of this so that we can get about $34 each back in taxes. It's time we start seeing through this tax-cut game.

joe, boston