August 17, 2020
Volume 18, Issue 33

At the Capitol

The House and Senate are scheduled to be in session on Tuesday, September 1.
House Schedule
Senate Schedule

Michigan Indigent Defense Commission

Standard 9 Published for Comment

Michigan Indigent Defense Commission Standard 9 – Proposed Standard for Determining Indigency and Contribution

The MIDC Act requires the MIDC to “promulgate objective standards for indigent criminal defense systems to determine whether a defendant is indigent or partially indigent.”  MCL 780.991(3)(e).  It also directs the MIDC to “promulgate objective standards for indigent criminal defense systems to determine the amount a partially indigent defendant must contribute to [their] defense.”  MCL 780.991(3)(f).  The United States Supreme Court has long recognized that “[t]here can be no equal justice where the kind of trial a man gets depends on the amount of money he has.” Griffin v Illinois, 351 US 12, 19; 76 S Ct 585; 100 L Ed 891 (1956).

Accordingly, the MIDC proposes this minimum standard for making indigency determinations for those local funding units that elect to assume the responsibility of appointing counsel and for setting the amount that a partially indigent defendant must contribute to their defense.

Comments Due to Michigan Indigent Defense Commission by September 14, 2020.

At the Courts

Michigan Supreme Court Announces September 2, 2020 Oral Arguments Special Session

At the Bar