More than 100 young people charged with crimes in Massachusetts do not have legal representation because of the ongoing work stoppage by public defenders.
The state public defender agency, the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), has asked the state Supreme Judicial Court to outline procedures for young offenders to protect their constitutional right to an attorney.
In a court filing Monday, the agency said the work stoppage has exacerbated a shortage of juvenile attorneys and has left some defendants under age 18 without legal representation for more than 45 days…