Pivotal juvenile justice reform signed into law
In a watershed moment for juvenile justice, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed legislation ensuring all Michigan young people have access to an attorney — fulfilling their right to counsel as guaranteed in both the Bill of Rights and the Michigan constitution.
“For far too long, children have been denied their constitutional right to counsel. Senate Bill 81 will ensure that every child in Michigan has access to the same high-quality legal representation already afforded to adults. Our children deserve — and our Constitution demands — nothing less,” said State Bar of Michigan President Lisa J. Hamameh. “We are proud to see Michigan take this transformational step forward to better ensure justice for young people, their families, and their communities.”
Gov. Whitmer announced the bill signing in a press release issued July 24, 2026. The legislation was championed by the State Bar of Michigan and a coalition of supporters.
The bill cleared the legislature in the early morning hours of July 3 as part of a marathon 20-hour legislative session and after five years of lobbying by the State Bar of Michigan. It was the final piece in a package of 20 juvenile justice reforms that grew out of recommendations unanimously adopted by the Michigan Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform in 2021. While the other 19 recommendations were signed into law in 2023, the measure providing for indigent defense for young people stalled.
The State Bar of Michigan continued to work behind-the-scenes to support this critical access to justice measure for Michigan young people. The measure passed both chambers last session but then fell short because of a minor language change that needed a concurrence vote that never occurred because of the abrupt end of session in 2024.
Gov. Whitmer also announced she signed that State Bar-backed legislation that allows for certain anonymous information in juvenile justice cases to be shared with researchers for the purpose of shaping future policy to improve the juvenile justice system.
“We’re working hard to give every young person in Michigan the resources they need to thrive,” Gov. Whitmer said in her press release.
The coalition supporting the bill’s passage also includes the Gault Center, Michigan Center for Youth Justice, ACLU of Michigan, and Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan.
Posted July 24, 2026