What is a Bar Advocate?

A Bar Advocate in an attorney who works an independent contractor with the state.  He/She accepts criminal appointments in the Massachusetts court system.  The Bar Advocate can also maintain their private practice while accepting these assignments.  Bar Advocates get paid an hourly rate and receives no benefits from the state.    

As mentioned, Bar Advocates are independent contractors.  They get paid an hourly wage and no governmental benefits.  The CPCS Attorney is a state employee who gets paid a salary along with all state benefits. 

There are 17 CPCS officers throughout the state along with roughly 2400 Bar Advocates. These attorneys take juvenile court, district court, superior court, murder cases, sexual dangerous predator hearings, appeals, parole hearing and probation violations along with other cases.  According to numerous reports, roughly 75-85%% of all criminal cases are assigned to appointed attorneys.