| NEW! The Michigan Coaliation for Justice filed Duncan v State of Michigan, challenging practices in three Michigan Counties, February 22, 2007. NEW! Former Attorney General Janet Reno sends a message to Michigan, September 15, 2006. NEW! Innocence Project Co-Founder Barry Scheck addresses Michigan Bar, September 15, 2006. NEW! Panelist discuss Defense Reform in Other States and Michigan, September 15, 2006. NEW! September 15, 2006 Program focuses on "Fixing Michigan's Broken Public Defense System." NEW! CDAM President addresses open letter to Defense Bar, September 7, 2006." NEW! SCR39 passes Michigan Legislature, supporting data collection project |
The Public Defense Task Force is a founding member of the Campaign for Justice, a new non-partisan non-profit organization dedicated to reforming Michigan’s broken public defense system. For more information about the Campaign, please visit: www.michigancampaignforjustice.org.
The
Michigan Public Defense Task Force
was formed in 2001 to address a crisis in how public defense services are provided to the state's poorest citizens. Those within the system, as well as national experts, agree that the system is drastically underfunded. Michigan ranks at the bottom of states nationwide in the resources provided for the public defense function, and is one of only four states providing no state funds to counties. Assigned counsel are poorly paid, with fees often failing to cover even office overhead. Support services, such as investigators and experts, are rarely available in assigned cases. Contracts for defense services contain disincentives to effective representation, as more work on an individual case means less compensation. Trial judges in some jurisdictions reward supporters by assigning them to a disproportionately high percentage of cases. Coordination and uniform standards for workloads or performance are nonexistent as each county develops its own way to deliver defense services. And, those with the least power in the system, the indigent accused, often receive far less than effective representation or a fair trial.
The task force is comprised of criminal and juvenile justice professionals, as well as concerned citizens from all walks of life. We invite you to join us in this effort. Our support section offers an opportunity for you to send your legislators an e-mail asking them to support legislation that addresses this critical issue. Please take a moment to tour the rest of our site. Please also provide us your feedback and check to see whether there are activities in your area where we need your participation. Thanks again for informing yourself about public defense and the important role it plays in ensuring justice for all Michigan residents. webmaster
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