Lutherville Attorney, Joseph Murtha, Receives Prestigious John Adams Award from U.S. District Court in Maryland

Lutherville, Maryland (Lexis Nexis) August 13, 2008 -- Joseph Murtha (http://www.mmplegal.com/attyBiog.jsp?x=4143189&y=5547083&z=1040189), partner in the law firm of Miller, Murtha & Psoras, L.L.C., has been awarded the prestigious John Adams Award from the U.S. District Court in Maryland, in recognition of his exceptional work representing indigent defendants in federal cases.

The John Adams Award is handed out annually to a private practice attorney who has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to indigent justice in the Maryland district. The award is named in honor of John Adams, the second president of the U.S., in honor of his courageous work of defending the British soldiers, including the captain, who were charged with murder in the "Boston Massacre" in 1772. Mr. Adams received personal threats and professional scorn for agreeing to take on this unpopular case, but he was successful in getting an acquittal for the captain and five of the British soldiers.

"We're very proud of Joe because he has truly earned this recognition with the donation of so much time and effort toward the often unpopular job of representing criminal defendants (http://www.mmplegal.com/maryland-criminal-defense.jsp) over the past decade," said Jay D. Miller, one of Murtha's partners. "For example, Joe has worked on the panel to represent indigents in death penalty, drug conspiracy, money laundering, and other felony cases."

Under the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. §3006A, all persons charged with federal criminal offenses who are financially unable to obtain counsel are entitled to appointment of counsel to represent them. Under the Court's Criminal Justice Act (CJA) plan, the Office of the Federal Public Defender is appointed to represent approximately 75% of the financially eligible defendants in Maryland. The remaining eligible defendants are represented by private attorneys who participate in the program, such as Mr. Murtha.

Miller, Murtha & Psoras is a Maryland-based law firm concentrating in civil litigation and criminal defense. The firm offers high-quality legal representation in various areas of practice (http://www.mmplegal.com/practice-areas.jsp) and in both federal and state courts.

For more information about Miller, Murtha & Psoras, please visit http://www.mmplegal.com or call 410.583.6969.

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