Massachusetts State Rep calls for urgent legislative action amid reports of accused criminals being released due to delays in securing legal representation

Barnstable, MA — In response to reports of accused criminals being released due to delays in securing legal representation, State Representative Steven Xiarhos (R – 5th Barnstable) is calling for urgent legislative action to reverse several controversial provisions included in the recently passed Fiscal Year 2026 state budget.

“As a former police officer with 40 years of service — including time as a Deputy Chief of Police — and now in my third term as a member of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Federal Affairs, I am deeply troubled by what I’m seeing,” said Rep. Xiarhos. “The growing number of accused criminals being released into our communities due to a lack of available legal counsel is unacceptable. This practice must stop immediately.”

Representative Xiarhos is urging his legislative colleagues to repeal and reverse budget provisions that, in his view, send the wrong message and misplace state resources. These include:

• A $5 million legal defense fund for migrants,
• The implementation of cashless bail, and
• Free phone calls for inmates in jail.

“These policies represent the wrong priorities,” Rep. Xiarhos continued. “At a time when criminal cases are being delayed or dismissed under the Lavallee Protocol due to a shortage of public defenders, we must realign our spending to address constitutional concerns and protect public safety — not divert funds elsewhere.”

“The people of Massachusetts deserve a justice system that upholds the law, supports victims, and ensures that dangerous criminals are not released back onto our streets,” he said. “Let’s fix this problem now before more damage is done.”

Representative Xiarhos represents the 5th Barnstable District, which includes the Town of Sandwich and portions of Barnstable and Bourne. He served four decades in law enforcement prior to being elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives.