Gov. Snyder’s Special Message on Criminal Justice

Governor Rick Snyder delivered a special message on criminal justice at Goodwill Industries in Detroit that focused on reductions in spending money on prisons while maintaining public safety. Among his priorities, the Governor discussed the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission’s early work and the need for future funding of the agency:

“In 2013, I signed Public Acts 93 and 94, to create the permanent Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC). This legislation marked an important first step for reform so that Michigan may guarantee the constitutional right to counsel for low-income individuals facing criminal charges. The MIDC has started its work to collect data and establish minimum standards to regulate and make the state’s indigent criminal defense systems more efficient. As these standards are enacted, additional funding from the state will be needed in the form of grants administered by the MIDC so that courts may meet the standards and reform our indigent defense system to protect our communities, our tax dollars and the constitutional rights of all Michiganders. I look forward to working with the Legislature to ensure the ongoing success of the Commission’s efforts and I am excited to watch Michigan become the model for other states to follow.”

Read the Governor’s entire message and see related documents here.