Incentivizing Quality Indigent Defense Representation – Recommendations for Reforming Compensation Mechanisms in Michigan
A new report released by the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission examines the financial incentives and disincentives inherent to the compensation structures utilized in many local indigent defense systems throughout Michigan, making a case for critical reform tied to proposed Standard 8, Economic Incentives and Disincentives.
From our agency’s inception, it has been clear that addressing the issue of economic incentives and disincentives would be one of the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission’s (MIDC) most formidable and complicated challenges. Disincentives to providing quality representation are endemic to many indigent defense systems, both throughout Michigan and nationally. Without reform, such disincentives will continue to disservice attorneys, taxpayers, and indigent defense clients, whose liberty and well-being are at risk. –– MIDC Chair Michael Puerner
The report reviews the current incentive mechanisms utilized by systems across the state and discusses the strengths and weaknesses of each. It then offers a series of recommendations for local systems to implement compensation structures that directly encourage attorneys to provide effective representation. Please see the report here for both an executive summary and the full text.