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Criminal Issues Initiative

This is the fifth initiative of the Committee on Justice Initiatives. It resulted from the work of dedicated individuals on the Criminal Issues Workgroup who issued their final report in March 2006. The initiative began its work on October 30, 2006. The dual purposes of this initiative are to address issues of indigent criminal defense in Michigan and to educate the legal community on civil collateral consequences.

Downloads

  • Client Questionnaire PDF Developed by attorneys, for attorneys to be utilized with clients in the information-gathering phase to assist in obtaining information to avoid unnecessary civil collateral consequences.
  • Know Your Rights
    • Employment PDF Quick guide to reentry information, directed to persons with a criminal conviction.
    • Immigration PDF Need-to-know information, directed toward persons with a criminal conviction.

Projects

    The following are examples of projects currently in progress:

    • Michigan Reentry Law Wiki – This website assist individuals with criminal convictions maneuver the obstacles that result from having convictions by providing answers to frequently asked questions, current case law, statutes, trends regarding prisoner re-entry, and many downloadable forms.
    • Self-Help Materials – Development and dissemination of self-help materials to assist criminal defendants and organizations working with them with the civil consequences of the offenders’ criminal convictions.
    • Training Module – Tools and information for key stakeholders in the juvenile and criminal justice systems for making informed decisions that take into account the long-term civil collateral consequences of criminal convictions.
    • Decision Checklist & Tools – Development and dissemination of checklists, tools, and other materials to inform practitioners and other stakeholders about decisions impacting civil collateral consequences of criminal convictions.
    • Court Eligibility Form & Handbook – Create a form for use in the courts in felony and misdemeanor cases to determine eligibility for appointed counsel; create a handbook for the courts as to when appointment of counsel is required and when reimbursement of the costs of counsel is appropriate.

News

Links of Interest