Grants

Grant Funding for Compliance Planning

Every trial court funding unit in Michigan is required to submit a plan for compliance with the approved standards for indigent defense, along with a cost analysis, to the MIDC.  The full text of the approved standards can be found on the MIDC’s website.

• View the total funding approved for compliance plans by the MIDC for fiscal year 2019 here [.pdf document].
• View the total funding approved for compliance plans by the MIDC for fiscal year 2020 here [.pdf document].
• View the total funding approved for compliance plans by the MIDC for fiscal year 2021 here [.pdf document].
• View the total funding approved for compliance plans by the MIDC for fiscal year 2022 here [.pdf document].
• View the total funding approved for compliance plans by the MIDC for fiscal year 2023 here [.pdf document].
• View the total funding approved for compliance plans by the MIDC for fiscal year 2024 here [.pdf document].
• NEW: view the total funding approved AS OF OCTOBER 2024 by the MIDC for fiscal year 2025 here.

To assist local systems, the MIDC has published a Grant Manual (revised February 2024, revisions in red) [.pdf document].

To support compliance with the MIDC Standards and grant contracts, the Commission approved a Compliance Resolution Process (June 2021).

Compliance and Financial Reporting:

NOTICE: All trial court funding units must use the MIDC’s Grant Management System (EGrAMS) for reporting: https://www.egrams-mi.com/midc/user/home.aspx 

• The required reporting includes a list of attorneys accepting assignments and payments, a financial status report, and a quarterly program report.  All reporting is submitted through EGrAMS.  We recorded a tutorial to assist with reporting, watch it here [link to YouTube] and follow along with the step-by-step handout [.pdf] from the training session.
  • New to EGrAMS?  Watch a recorded webinar to set up your profile [link to YouTube] or follow the slides from the presentation in handout form [.pdf document].
• NEW: We have Compliance Reporting Instructions [.pdf document revised November 2024] and  and a recorded tutorial [link to YouTube] to go over reporting requirements.
  • NEW: Key Changes to MIDC Quarterly Reporting for FY25
  • We also have sample invoices attorneys can use for tracking time as well as instructions for how to use these files.
    • Sample Invoice – Single Case
    • Sample Invoice – Docket
    • Sample Invoice- Multiple Cases Stacked
    • Sample Invoice – Multiple Cases Combined
• Codes for Compliance Data for DCS/WebDCS (revised February 2023)
• Please review the MIDC’s Grant Manual for details about compliance and reporting.
  • Review instructions to complete the Q4 FSR and Unexpended Balance of Funds report (updated in 2024) required annually by October 31.
• Contact your Regional Manager with any questions or concerns.

FOR MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNSEL ADMINISTRATORS: a sample detailed invoice for services is here [.pdf].

FOR COURTS: We have Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about MIDC Standard 5.

Statutory Authority

The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission Act describes the distribution and receipt of grant funds in MCL §780.993. The relevant provisions are as follows. If the MIDC determines that funding in excess of the indigent criminal defense system’s local share is necessary in order to bring its system into compliance with the minimum standards established by the MIDC, that excess funding shall be paid by this State. The legislature shall appropriate to the MIDC the additional funds necessary for a system to meet and maintain those minimum standards, which shall be provided to indigent criminal defense systems through grants. An indigent criminal defense system shall not be required to provide funds in excess of its local share. The MIDC shall provide grants to indigent criminal defense systems to assist in bringing the systems into compliance with minimum standards established by the MIDC. The state of Michigan shall appropriate funds to the MIDC for grants to the local units of government for the reasonable costs associated with data required to be collected under this act that is over and above the local unit of government’s data costs for other purposes. Within 180 days after receiving funds from the MIDC, an indigent criminal defense system shall comply with the terms of the grant in bringing its system into compliance with the minimum standards established by the MIDC for effective assistance of counsel. The MIDC may apply for and obtain grants from any source to carry out the purposes of this act. All funds received by MIDC, from any source, are state funds and shall be appropriated as provided by law. Every indigent criminal defense system shall comply with an approved plan under this act. A system’s duty of compliance with the terms of the plan is contingent upon receipt of a grant in the amount contained in the plan and cost analysis approved by the MIDC. See MCL §780.997.