Judicial Crisis: Defendants in Armed Robbery and Drug Cases Released Amid Attorney Shortage in Lowell
LOWELL, Mass. — On Wednesday, a group of defendants facing serious charges such as armed robbery and drug trafficking were released from custody at the Kiernan Judicial Center. This development came as trial courts across Middlesex and Suffolk counties initiated emergency Lavallee Protocol hearings, a move triggered by a critical shortage of court-appointed attorneys throughout the state. The situation highlights an ongoing issue in the Massachusetts legal system, where the lack of available attorneys for defendants has prompted courts to take unprecedented actions. The Lavallee Protocol, designed to ensure that defendants’ rights are protected in … Read more