In the News
In the News
For fairness, fix indigent defense
Posted April 12, 2013
Editorial from the Lansing State Journal, April 12, 2013
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Michigan Campaign for Justice: Now's the time to fix Michigan's failing indigent defense system
Posted January 03, 2013
Read Marcela Westrate's Guest Column
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2013 is the time for indigent defense reform
Posted January 03, 2013
Read an op-ed from Marcela Westrate, the Campaign's Executive Director
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Indigent Defense Legislation Passes House of Representatives
Posted November 09, 2012
Click to view some of the press on Michigan's road to indigent defense reform.
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Lawmakers to Look at Legal Aid for Poor Defendents
Posted November 11, 2012
Sarah Hulett, Michigan Radio, September 10, 2012. "This week, House Judiciary Committee will consider creating a commission to establish standards for indigent defense."
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6th Amendment Center: Indigent Defense Legislation Introduced in Michigan
Posted November 16, 2012
"Michigan state representative Tom McMillin introduced a sweeping indigent defense reform bill (HB 5804) that promises to bring accountability and structure to right to counsel services in a state known for its deficient “non-system.”"
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Editorial: Michigan should enact recommended reforms to ensure justice for indigent defendants
Posted July 05, 2012
From the Detroit Free Press, July 5, 2012An advisory commission Gov. Rick Snyder set up to reform Michigan's indigent defense system has provided a blueprint for change. Now legislators must use its recommendations to help ensure that Michigan's public defense system provides constitutionally effective legal assistance to poor defendants.
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Senator: Public defenders representing children, mentally ill should be specialists
Posted July 02, 2012
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Time to improve legal defense for Michigan's poor
Posted June 27, 2012
From the Detroit News: "Michigan has a road map toward improved criminal justice that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle should be able to embrace."
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Poor people aren't getting equal shake in court, governor's panel warns
Posted June 26, 2012
From Bridge Magazine
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Michigan Panel Urges Reform of Legal Aid System
Posted June 23, 2012
from the Detroit News
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Panel: Fix Michigan's public defense system with permanent commission...
Posted June 22, 2012
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Michigan Finally Eyeing Changes to Lawyers for Poor
Posted June 15, 2012
From National Public Radio's Morning Edition
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Why Christians Should Care about Indigent Defense
Posted April 19, 2012
Column by Dr. David Schuringa of the Crossroads Bible Institute
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State must protect constitutional rights
Posted March 24, 2012
Peter Cunningham, Lansing State Journal, March 24, 2012(Op-ed)"All our constitutional rights are important. Failing to uphold the United States Constitution’s 6th Amendment right to effective counsel wastes tax dollars, puts public safety at risk, and is fundamentally unfair."
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High Court Expands Defendants' Plea Bargain Rights
Posted March 22, 2012
Nina Totenberg, NPR, March 21, 2012"For the first time, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that defendants have a constitutional right to effective assistance of counsel in plea bargains. In a 5-4 decision Wednesday, the court went further, declaring that when a lawyer acts unethically or gives clearly wrong advice, the defendant may be entitled to a second chance at accepting a plea offer."
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Justices' Ruling Expands Rights of Accused in Plea Bargains
Posted March 22, 2012
Adam Liptak, New York Times, March 21, 2012“Criminal justice today is for the most part a system of pleas, not a system of trials,” JusticeAnthony M. Kennedy wrote for the majority. “The right to adequate assistance of counsel cannot be defined or enforced without taking account of the central role plea bargaining takes in securing convictions and determining sentences.”
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Public defender system could get overhaul in 2012
Posted December 29, 2011
Laura Weber, Michigan Radio, December 29, 2011“[A] patchwork of 83 systems and systems inside of those systems just is an embarrassment," said Tom McMillin (R-Rochester Hills). "We need to really get a better handle to try to ensure justice.”
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Indigent defense system must change
Posted December 12, 2011
Lansing State Journal, December 12, 2011 "Poor people in Michigan accused of a crime don't always get adequate and competent legal representation. Gov. Rick Snyder recognizes that undermines our criminal justice system and has taken a critical first step to fixing the indigent defense system by appointing a study commission."
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Why Michigan's indigent defense system must be reformed
Posted December 04, 2011
Editorial Board, Grand Rapids Press, December 4, 2011"Poor people in Michigan accused of a crime don’t always get adequate and competent legal representation. Gov. Rick Snyder recognizes that undermines our criminal justice system and has taken a critical first step to fixing the indigent defense system by appointing a study commission. ... The Legislature ought to have the political courage to move forward sensible reforms — long overdue — from this panel."
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Class and the Courts
Posted November 21, 2011
Lester Graham, Michigan Radio, November 21, 2011"So, imagine this. You’ve been accused of a crime. You know you didn’t do it. But, the police think you did. You cannot afford a lawyer. So, you are appointed a lawyer. In a few counties, it might be someone from a public defenders office. In other counties, your lawyer might be someone who was appointed by a judge- which some see as a conflict. The lawyer got the job because of the judge which puts the lawyer’s independence in question. In almost half of Michigan counties, it might be a lawyer who put in the lowest bid for a contract with the county. Critics say for most counties, not enough resources are provided to a public defense lawyer to put together a proper defense."
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Commission can help end an injustice for poor defendants in Michigan
Posted October 24, 2011
Detroit Free Press editorial, October 24, 2011 "What kind of defense you get often depends on which side of a county line you're in," said Peter Cunningham, executive director of the Michigan Campaign for Justice, which has pushed for indigent defense reforms for more than four years. "You can't have a fair system without some sort of parity."
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State public defender system needs revamping
Posted October 19, 2011
Battle Creek Enquirer editorial, October 19, 2011"Snyder wants the 14-member Indigent Defense Advisory Commission to come up with recommendations for improvement by next July 15. We hope those recommendations lead to a better system that upholds the standards of justice throughout the state."
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