JUSTICE AND LEGAL RIGHTS

Addressing issues of law reform, civil rights, and the criminal justice system as well as insuring legal assistance.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State--Southern Maine Chapter
100 King St.
Saco, ME 04072
286-8676
http://www.au.org
Jennie Aranovitch
Local Chapter of a national group working to protect the wall of separation between church and state. Issues include school vouchers, faith-based initiatives, and school prayer.

Bill of Rights Defense Committee--Hancock County
PO Box 158
Ellsworth, ME 04605
664-3120
eadams@downeast.net
Preserving civil liberties from the assaults of the Patriot Act and other 9-11 security measures. Other groups exist in the Bangor and Belfast areas.

Building Alternatives
181 Brackett St.
Portland, ME 04102
775-0105  Fax: 780-1701
Melanie Petrlik
Innovative correctional education for youth held in the Maine Youth Center and those on juvenile probation. The program provides an alternative vocational education program, helps facilitate students' re-entry into society, and prepares youth for further employment.

Civil Rights Team Project/Attorney General's Office
State House Station 6
Augusta, ME 04333
626-8800  Fax: 287-3120
Debi Gray
Supports over 150 Civil Rights teams at Maine high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools.  Education in schools around racism, homophobia, and other civil rights/tolerance issues done primarily by students with faculty and community advisors.  Contact for a list of teams and to organize new teams.

College Guild
PO Box 6448
Brunswick, ME 04011
"Respect Reduces Recidivism." Free non-traditional correspondance courses are offered to prisoners.

Conservation Law Foundation--See Environment

Criminal Justice Program--Maine Council of Churches
15 Pleasant Ave.
Portland, ME 04103
772-1918 
Sue Rudalevige
We promote, through education and legislative testimony, a restorative justice approach to crime that focuses more on the harm that is done to a victim than on punishment for the violation of a law. The emphasis is on the need for the offender to find ways to make amends to the victim, and the community's responsibility to be involved in the support of both the victim and the offender, as they reweave the fabric of their lives.

Frenchtown Neighborhood Watch--See Community Development

Friends and Families of Prisoners and Probationers--See Self-Help, Support, and Advocacy

Friends Committee on Public Policy
15 Otter Cliffs Rd.
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
288-8968 
Ed Snyder
We seek to represent concerns of Quakers in Maine on state issues.  Current priorities: criminal justice and Native Americans in Maine.

Friends of the Maine Youth Center
P.O. Box 1165
Scarborough, ME 04070
883-8351 
Working to improve the lives of residents and staff at the MYC. Newsletter; membership dues.

Hancock County Community Reparations Board
PO Box 143
Ellsworth, ME 04605
667-2168 
ellspddet@downeast.net
Dottie Small
This is a pilot project for adult offenders in this area.  The Board is composed of a volunteer group of community members.  We meet with victims and offenders to facilitate reaching a collaborative agreement to repair harm and rebuild relationships.

Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project
309 Cumberland Ave., PO Box 17917
Portland, ME 04112
780-1593  Fax: 871-0164
info@ILAPMaine.org
www.iILAPMaine.org
Beth Stickney
Provides immigration law information and legal assistance regarding immigration and related issues to low income Mainers.  Walk-in consultations ($10 per half-hour) on Fridays, 12:30-5:30 p.m., at 83 Sherman St. in Portland.

Inmate Advocate
Maine State Prison, PO Box A
Thomaston, ME 04861
354-3166 
Provides paralegal counseling and advocacy services to Maine State Prison inmates.

Intellectual Freedom Committee of MLA/MEMA
c/o Media Services, Maine State Library, SHS 64
Augusta, ME 04333
287-5620
Joint committee of Maine Library Association and Maine Education Media Association, the committee fosters freedoms of the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights and the First Amendment.  It also challenges and opposes censorship of library materials of all formats; coordinates the annual SIRS Intellectual Freedom award of Maine, and provides information to the Maine library community through programs, exhibits, and dissemination of information on the issues.

Killing Fields Survivors' Society--See Racial and Ethnic Groups

Legal Services for the Elderly--See Elders

Longtimers Group
Maine State Prison, PO Box A
Thomaston, ME 04861
Organization of Maine State Prison inmates serving long terms.

Maine Books to Prisoners
PO Box 2178
Waterville, ME 04903
mainebookstoprisoners@justice.com
Volunteer collective which distributes books free of charge to prisoners in Maine and beyond. Donations of money and books (new) are appreciated.*

Maine Cannabis Alliance
HC 65 Box 3765
Lincoln, ME 04457
738-2066  Fax: 738-2066
Steve Ruhl
We provide information on the many uses of cannabis/hemp/marijuana. Marijuana prohibition turns the manufacture, distribution, and multi-billion dollar tax-free profits over to those with little concern about society or our children.  We believe that the best way to control marijuana is to implement a system of real regulation.

Maine Children's Rights Advocacy Council
PO Box 133
Frankfort, ME 04438
223-4009 
dslagger@aol.com
David Slagger
Information for family law groups to help children have equal rights to their parents and to help better our current family law system.

Maine Citizens to Defend the Bill of Rights
67 Green St.
Augusta, ME 04330
293-3479 
Joseph Baltar
We were created in 1987 to educate our community about crimes committed by the FBI. We want a Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the US to look at the involvement of the FBI in assassinations of American activists.    We've held 10 national conferences at Bates College.  We offer the concept of communities policing themselves and moving from a psychology of fear toward a climate of restorative justice.  We want people to think of the ecology of our Criminal Justice system.

Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence--See Conflict Resolution and Nonviolence Education

Maine Civil Liberties Union (MCLU)
401 Cumberland Ave. #105
Portland, ME 04101
774-5444  Fax: 774-1103
info@mclu.org
www.mclu.org
Our purpose is to advance and protect the civil liberties and civil rights of Maine people.  The principles guiding the MCLU are:  the right of free expression; the right to dissent; the right to religious freedom; the right to equal treatment for all people; the right to fair play in encounters with government; and the right to be let alone, to be secure from interference in private matters.  Founded in 1968.

Maine Educators Against Fingerprinting
1 Stone Ridge Drive
Waterville, ME 04901
873-4102  Fax: 872-6317
bhuebner@mint.net
www.slipperyslope.org
Bernie Huebner
We seek to repeal Maine's law requiring all school personnel to submit to fingerprinting and FBI checks.  MEAF's approach is legislative, since the Supreme Count currently favors such intrusive measures.  MEAF also promotes more effective alternatives to preventing child abuse, and warns of a national criminal/non-criminal database currently being constructed.

Maine Equal Justice
126 Sewell St.
Augusta, ME 04330
626-7058  Fax: 621-8148
info@mejp.org
www.mejp.org
We provide representation to our low income client group, the Maine Association of Interdependent Neighborhoods, (see Low Income) before the legislature.  We also provide representation to low-income individuals before administrative agencies and the courts on major issues impacting low income people.

Maine Freedom of Information Coalition
c/o Scott, 77 Sewall St.
Augusta, ME 04330
622-3747  Fax: 622-9732
gscott@eatonpeaboby.com
We believe that government best serves the public when it operates in the most open manner possible.  Members include media organizations, lawyers, academicians, public policy groups, and individuals.  We seek broad access to information, of and about government and the actions of government, in order to inform the public as fully as possible.

Maine Human Rights Commission
State House Station 51
Augusta, ME 04333
624-6050 Fax: 624-6063
www.state.me.us/mhrc
Investigates complaints of discrimination in employment, housing, credit, public accommodations, and education.

Maine Marijuana Policy Initiative
PO Box 1074, 268 Lisbon St.
Lewiston, ME 04240
333-6985
info@mainecommonsense.org
http://www.mainecommonsense.org
Seeks decriminalization of marijuana use and to replace incarceration with a system of taxation and regulation by local governments.

Maine Pretrial Services
175 Lancaster St. #305
Portland, ME 04101
774-1501  Fax 874-0218
Alternatives to cash bail or surety. We advocate for pre-trial clients.

Maine Vocals
PO Box 189
Anson, ME 04911
696-8167  Fax: 696-HEMP
mevocals@somtel.com
www.mainevocals.org
Don Christen
We support an end to the prohibition of cannabis and restrictions on freedom and we call for the restoration of civil and human rights regarding cannabis.  Sponsors annual Hempstock, Harvest Fest, and Freedom Fest events in Starks, Maine.

Maine-ly NORML
57 McKay Rd.
Norway, ME 04268
696-8879
cindieo@prexar.com
Maine chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, they are working to decriminalize marijuana use and end the billion dollar drug war. They also support the reintroduction of industrial hemp.

Mainers Against the Death Penalty
PO Box 8703
Portland, ME 04104
874-0815 
We work against the adoption of a death penalty for certain crimes in Maine and the US.

MDI Restorative Justice Project
PO Box 391
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
We provide a community-based approach to working with first-time, nonviolent juvenile offenders through confidential conferences involving the offender, parents, victims, and community members.  Goal is a monitored agreement which may include restitution, community service, and apology.  All-volunteer program in Bar Harbor, Southwest Harbor, Mt. Desert, and Tremont; similar program in Ellsworth.

Midcoast Bill of Rights Defense Committee
PO Box 357
Searsport, ME 04974
548-2749
mmyers@acadia.net
Formed after passage of the PATRIOT Act, the BORDC educates and mobilizes the public to oppose the Act and further eroding of the public's civil rights and liberties. Supporting town resolutions against the Act. Also helping to form BORDC's in other parts of Maine; contact for other locations.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
175 Lancaster St.
Portland, ME 04101
791-2783,  800-883-0249  Fax: 791-2783
madd@gwi.net
Lynn Saucier
Our goals are to stop drunk driving, support the victims of crimes committed by drunk drivers, and to prevent underage drinking.

Mount Blue Community Resolution Team
PO Box 525
Temple, ME 04984
778-3168, 778-6311 
Rita Kimber, Kathy Haines
We are part of a program sponsored by the Maine Dept. of Corrections aimed at reducing juvenile crime.  Members undergo training in restorative justice, then meet with juvenile offenders, victims of offense, and police officers involved in the case to find a way to "right the wrong."

National Lawyers Guild--Maine Chapter
31 Carding Machine Road
Bowdoinham, ME 04008
666-3811 
belcher@portalsmith.net
Tim Belcher
Our members are progressive lawyers, law students, and legal workers.  Our political work focuses on the principle that human rights are above property rights.  Our chapter and the national organization are active in labor, peace, and civil and human rights coalitions.

No More Throwaway Kids Coalition
PO Box 1126
Biddeford, ME 04005
800-452-1948 Ext. 213 
ecinceva@hotmail.com
Elaine Cinceva
We are a parent group developed by and for parents of children at the Maine Youth Center.  We meet in Portland.

Parents Against Tired Truckers
PO Box 209
Lisbon Falls, ME 04252
353-4572  Fax: 353-5245
patt@gwi.net
Daphne Izer
We are a grassroots group dedicated to heightening awareness about commercial motor carrier and highway safety issues.  Work with legislature for effective regulations and enforceable laws. Support and assistance to victims and families of motor carrier crashes.

Parents of Murdered Children--See Self-Help, Support, and Advocacy

Pine Tree Legal Assistance
www.ptla.org
We provide free legal help to low income people in civil matters, primarily landlord-tenant evictions and unsafe housing, domestic violence, consumer problems, Medicaid and health care, job training, tax problems with the IRS, etc. (No criminal or traffic cases.) Also work with organized low income groups for changes in the law and social policy.
Pine Tree Legal - Farmworker Unit
61 Main St.
Bangor, ME 04401
800-879-7463; 942-1060-TTY 

Pine Tree Legal - Native American Unit
61 Main St.
Bangor, ME 04401
800-879-7463; 942-1060-TTY 

Pine Tree Legal Assistance - Augusta
39 Green St., PO Box 2429
Augusta, ME 04338
622-4731; 623-7770-TTY 

Pine Tree Legal Assistance - Bangor
61 Main St.
Bangor, ME 04401
942-8241; 942-1060-TTY 

Pine Tree Legal Assistance - Lewiston
145 Lisbon St., 7th Fl
Lewiston, ME 04240
784-1558 

Pine Tree Legal Assistance - Machias
1 School St.
Machias, ME 04654
255-8656; 255-6179-TTY 

Pine Tree Legal Assistance - Portland
88 Federal St., PO Box 547
Portland, ME 04112
774-8211; 828-2308-TTY 

Pine Tree Legal Assistance - Presque Isle
373 Main St.
Presque Isle, ME 04769
764-4349; 764-2453-TTY 

Restorative Justice Center of Maine
40 Water St., 2nd floor
Hallowell, ME 04347
623-0500
http://www.rjcmaine.org
Advocacy, education, networking and other projects on new ways to address issues of criminal/juvenile justice, victim rights, and school discipline. A project of the Maine Council of Churches.

Sipayik Criminal Justice Commission
c/o AFSC, PO Box 406
Perry, ME 04667
853-2317
Working for justice and to reduce inmate populations of Native people in Maine. Also concerned about treatment of Native inmates in Maine jails and prisons.

Speak UP!
USM Woodbury Campus Center, PO Box 9300
Portland, ME 04104
228-8235
SpeakUPUSM@yahoo.com
Supporting the civil rights for and an end to violence against all "minorities," whether based on race, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, age, ability, religion, appearance, HIV/AIDS status, political affiliation, etc.

Trial and Error
PO Box 153
Madawaska, ME 04756
586-6078
humansacrifice03@yahoo.com
http://www.trialanderrordennis.org
Supports DNA testing in a 15 year old murder case and a new trial for Dennis Dechaine, who, the group believes, was wrongfully convicted of a murder he did not commit.

Victory Gardens Project--See Food and Agriculture

Volunteer Lawyers Project
PO Box 547
Portland, ME 04112
800-442-4293; 774-4348 
staff@vlp.org
www.vlp.org & www.ptla.org
We provide legal assistance and information to low-income people throughout Maine. May be able to provide free legal services or representation to those who need a lawyer and cannot afford one.  All conversations are confidential. Project of Pine Tree Legal Assistance.

Volunteers for Hancock Jail Residents
272 Turkey Farm Rd
Blue Hill, ME 04614
374-2437
bluehill@prexar.com
Judy Garvey
Organizes visits, programs, and other activities to promote positive social ties between Hancock County residents who are in jail and the larger community on the outside.