Archive for category: News

In a recent post for the National Association for Public Defense, MIDC Research Director Dr. Jonah Siegel discusses the work of the Commission in collecting data, our first survey of court systems, and how the results will be used to improve indigent defense statewide.

[T]he MIDC’s first research task was to survey all circuit and district courts in the state to gather basic information on the representation of indigent adult criminal defendants in their systems. Survey questions addressed the extent to which local public defense systems currently engage in evidence-based practices that have been identified nationally as characterizing representation that is high-quality and effective. The survey also intended to shed light on process. Since data on indigent defense representation have never been comprehensively and consistently collected in Michigan, data collection provided critical insight to the MIDC into how to most effectively connect with stakeholders to gather accurate information. The results will be used by the MIDC to inform the development of statewide minimum standards and to guide the implementation of standards in each local jurisdiction.

To read the full post, please see the NAPD’s website.

To read the entire survey report, click here.

MIDC Executive Director Jonathan Sacks was recently interviewed by Rick Pluta of Michigan Radio about the survey report that the MIDC released recently.  The report found “big differences in how public defenders are retained, paid, and trained. Some courts don’t have private spaces for attorneys to meet with defendants.”

“Different counties and courts are all over the place in every single area,” said Jonathan Sacks with the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission.

Sacks says the shortcomings put a lot of indigent defendants at risk of unnecessary incarceration.

Read the summary of the interview on Michigan Radio’s website.

 

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Michigan Indigent Defense Commission
February 2016 Update

The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission met on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 in the MIDC Office in Lansing, Michigan. This was the first of six meetings that will be held by the Commission this year. At the meeting, the Commission presented to the public its first annual report, the 2015 Impact Report, which describes the full year of activity by the MIDC and its staff, and describes how we are implementing change. The report is available on the MIDC website.

The first proposed minimum standards for indigent defense delivery systems were submitted to the Michigan Supreme Court on January 4, 2016. These standards address education and training, the initial client interview, experts and investigators, and counsel at first appearance in front of a judge or magistrate. On January 11, 2016, the Michigan Supreme Court issued an Administrative Order providing notice and detailing the process for public comment on the standards before the Court takes any further action. The time to comment expires on May 1, 2016 and a public hearing will be held thereafter. All comments submitted to the Court will be posted on the Michigan Supreme Court’s website. Please see additional information about the process on the Supreme Court’s website.

In January, six regional consultants began their work as the liaisons between local systems and the MIDC. The consultants are collaborating with criminal justice stakeholders to design the most appropriate plans for meeting minimum standards for indigent defense in a particular county or system. The Regional Consultants have been meeting with local practitioners, court administrators, judges and jail administrators to learn about individual court systems and practices, to identify the person(s) responsible for drafting compliance plans, and to determine spending on indigent defense in an effort to estimate grant requests. The Regional Consultants have already begun talking about potential compliance needs and plans in an effort to ensure a smooth transition to meeting the mandatory minimum standards. To schedule a meeting with your Regional Consultant, please contact them.

The Executive Director’s Report during the Commission meeting addressed future minimum standards to be considered by the Commission. The next standards could include independence from the judiciary, caseloads, economic incentives or disincentives to properly represent clients, qualifications and review of assigned counsel, and indigence determinations or eligibility screening for assigned counsel. These areas are specifically mentioned in the MIDC Act and have been identified as critical areas in surveys of courts and assigned counsel.

The MIDC recently completed an analysis of the first-ever comprehensive survey to measure the delivery of criminal justice for indigent defense reform in Michigan. The survey gathered details on current practices in the state’s court systems to help MIDC better understand and map the legal landscape for indigent defendants in Michigan. The survey report was prepared by MIDC Research Director Jonah Siegel, and is entitled Snapshot of Indigent Defense Representation in Michigan’s Adult Criminal Courts: The MIDC’S First Survey of Local Court Systems. The report can be downloaded for review on the MIDC website.

The MIDC is also interested in learning from practitioners about their assigned cases and how we can work together to improve indigent defense statewide. The MIDC has recently launched a new survey and is asking that it be completed by all Michigan criminal defense attorneys, even those who do not take assigned cases. Much like the court system survey, the attorney survey seeks information about continuing legal education requirements, confidentiality of space for attorney client meetings in courts and jails, using experts and investigators in practice, and recommendations for prioritizing the next standards to be proposed by the MIDC. There is ample space for feedback and suggestions about the next steps that should be taken to improve indigent defense in Michigan. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete, and can be found on the MIDC website.

The MIDC continues to move forward with plans for system-wide reform, and in 2016 will add to the foundation necessary to implement improvement to indigent defense in Michigan. The Governor released his Executive Recommendation in a presentation to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees on February 10, 2016. The Executive Recommendation includes a $1.3 million requested increase to the MIDC’s current appropriation. Though we are just at the beginning of the appropriations process, it is exciting that this request has been included.  We will continue to post progress about our work and any other developments about indigent defense in Michigan on our website.

Contact:
Marla McCowan
Director of Training, Outreach and Support
mmccowan@michiganidc.gov
(517) 657-3066

SUMMARY
The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) is seeking an Administrative Assistant to join our office. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to complete a variety of tasks for five staff members. The salary range is $34,000 – $40,000 depending upon experience.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned as necessary.
• Provide administrative support to the staff members of the MIDC.
• Attend MIDC meetings, take and distribute meeting minutes.
• Independently perform a variety of operational or administrative tasks requiring a thorough knowledge of MIDC policies and procedures.
• Answer incoming phone calls to the office main line; direct calls or answer questions as necessary.
• Handle logistics for events and meetings. This may involve coordinating handout materials, reserving meeting space and arranging catering.
• Draft, type, edit, and format various documents using Microsoft Office software. Review documents for grammar and spelling.
• Receive and distribute incoming mail. Prepare outgoing mail.
• Process invoices for payment.
• Maintain various files and reports.
• May assist staff members in various research projects.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
The job requires knowledge of a specialized nature, normally acquired through a general high school education and from specialized training such as that acquired in the first year of college, technical or business school in word processing, writing skills, office management, and related areas.
Three or more years of progressively more responsible experience in administrative level office experience, as well as advanced knowledge of word processing, database and spreadsheet applications. The preferred candidate will have a knowledge of Michigan’s criminal justice system and previous experience in a law firm or as a paralegal.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Occasional travel may be required, a valid driver’s license is preferred.

TO APPLY
Electronic submission of application materials is preferred. Cover letter and resume may be e-mailed to: careers@michiganidc.gov with “Administrative Assistant” in the subject line. If you are unable to submit materials electronically, they may be mailed to the MIDC at 200 N. Washington Sq., 3rd Floor, Lansing, MI 48933.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 16, 2016

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER