About the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission
We have a full time staff working under the supervision of the Executive Director of the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission, including Regional Managers working statewide. Our office is in Lansing, Michigan. Information about Commission meeting agendas and prior meeting minutes is available online, and our calendar contains dates for upcoming meetings.
The MIDC has established a form for submitting recommendations or complaints to the Commission. The form is available online as a .pdf document or can be filled out and mailed using Microsoft Word.
Please use the contact us page anytime with questions for the MIDC.
Commissioners
The commission was created as a result of efforts to improve legal representation for indigent criminal defendants. In October 2011, then-Governor Snyder issued Executive Order 2011-12, establishing the initial Indigent Defense Advisory Commission, which was responsible for recommending improvements to the state’s legal system. These recommendations served as the basis for legislation to address this need and called for a permanent Indigent Defense Commission that the governor signed into law in July 2013. Please see the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission Act for more information.
The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission shall develop and oversee the implementation, enforcement, and modification of minimum standards, rules, and procedures to ensure that indigent criminal defense services providing effective assistance of counsel are delivered to all indigent adults in this state consistent with the safeguards of the United States constitution, the state constitution of 1963, and with the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission Act. We will identify and encourage best practices for delivering the effective assistance of counsel to indigent defendants charged with crimes. We will collect data, support compliance and administer grants to achieve these goals. We will accomplish our mission through collaboration, transparency and accessibility to all partners in the criminal justice community.
Thomas Adams, Detroit
Represents the general public
Term expires April 1, 2027
Thomas Adams, of Detroit, is the president of Chance For Life Organization. He received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Tuskegee University. Mr. Adams is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing April 27, 2023, and expiring April 1, 2027. He succeeds Nathaniel Crampton whose term expired.
Standing Committee Assignment: Training & Evaluation
Tracey Brame, Grand Rapids
Submitted by the Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court
Term expires April 1, 2027
Tracey Brame, of Grand Rapids, is the associate dean at Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Grand Rapids and a professor and co-director of the Access to Justice Clinic. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from University of Michigan Law School. Ms. Brame is appointed to represent the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for a term expiring April 1, 2023.
Standing Committee Assignment: Training & Evaluation
Kimberly Buddin, Novi
Represents those whose primary mission or purpose is to advocate for minority interests
Term expires April 1, 2024
Kimberly Buddin, of Novi, is policy counsel with the ACLU of Michigan and a VAWA/U-Visa Pro-Bono Attorney at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from Michigan State University Law School. Ms. Buddin is appointed to represent a Bar Association whose primary mission or purpose is to advocate for minority interests, for a term expiring April 1, 2024.
Standing Committee Assignment: Performance Standards
Paul E. Bullock, Evart
Represents members submitted by the Senate Majority Leader
Term expires April 1, 2025
Mr. Bullock is the controller and administrator for Mecosta County. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in American History from Spring Arbor College. Mr. Bullock is appointed to represent members submitted by the Senate Majority Leader for a term commencing October 15, 2021 and expiring April 1, 2025. He succeeds Jeffrey Collins whose term expired April 1, 2021.
Standing Committee Assignment:
Michael Carter, Southfield
Represents members submitted by the Criminal Defense Attorney Association of Michigan
Term expires April 1, 2028
Michael Carter, of Southfield, is the Chief Defender and Executive Director of the Federal Community Defender Office of the Eastern District of Michigan (FCDO). Michael has practiced indigent criminal defense for over fifteen years. He serves on several boards including the ACLU of Michigan and Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan, and also serves on the faculty of the National Criminal Defense College. He received his Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Michigan and his Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School. Michael E. Carter is appointed to represent individuals nominated by Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan for a term commencing August 29, 2024, and expiring April 1, 2028. Carter succeeds John Shea, whose term has expired.
Andrew D. DeLeeuw, Manchester
Represents members submitted by the Michigan Association of Counties
Term expires April 1, 2027
Andrew D. DeLeeuw, of Manchester, is the Deputy County Administrator for Washtenaw County. He earned his Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. Mr. DeLeeuw is appointed to fill a new seat created by Act 443 of 2018, to represent the Michigan Association of Counties for a term expiring April 1, 2023.
Standing Committee Assignment: Training & Evaluation, Indigence & Compensation
Jim Fisher, Hastings
Represents members submitted by the Michigan Judges Association
Term expires April 1, 2026
Jim Fisher, of Hastings, served as the original chair of the commission. He is Of Counsel with Dickinson Wright in Grand Rapids where his primary practice areas are arbitration and mediation. He previously served as chief judge of Barry County Circuit Court. He chaired the initial Indigent Defense Advisory Commission and is a director of Hastings City Bank. Fisher earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from General Motors Institute and a law degree from Wayne State University.
Standing Committee Assignment: Indigence & Compensation
Christine A. Green, Ann Arbor - Chair
Represents the State Budget Office
Term expires April 1, 2027
Christine A. Green, of Ann Arbor, is a trustee with the Scio Township Board of Trustees and a retired attorney with Green & Green, PC. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Ms. Green is appointed to fill a new seat created by PA 214 of 2018, to represent the State Budget Office for a term expiring April 1, 2023.
Standing Committee Assignment: Indigence & Compensation
David W. Jones, Detroit
Represents members submitted by the State Bar of Michigan
Term expires April 1, 2026
David W. Jones, of Detroit, is a partner with Allen Brothers, PLLC. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Detroit Mercy.
Standing Committee Assignment: Performance Standards
Loren Khogali, Plymouth
Represents members submitted by the Criminal Defense Attorney Association of Michigan
Term expires April 1, 2028
Loren Khogali, of Plymouth, is the executive director of ACLU Michigan. She started her legal career as a Law Clerk to the Justices of the Superior Court of Massachusetts. She then joined Detroit’s Federal Public Defender Office, advocating on behalf of people charged with federal crimes and unable to afford an attorney at the trial in the appellate and post-conviction stages. During her 13 years at the Federal Defender Office, she participated in the development and leadership teams for the court’s re-entry and alternative-to-prison programs. She received her Bachelor of Science in psychology and Bachelor of Arts in French from Western Michigan University and her Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law. Loren Khogali is appointed to represent individuals nominated by Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan for a term commencing August 29, 2024, and expiring April 1, 2028. Khogali succeeds William Swor, whose term has expired.
James R. Krizan, Allen Park
Represents members submitted by the Michigan Municipal League
Term expires April 1, 2023
James R. Krizan, of Allen Park, is the assistant city manager for the City of Ferndale and the former City Manager for the City of Lincoln Park. Mr. Krizan holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in public administration both from Eastern Michigan University. Mr. Krizan is appointed to represent the Michigan Municipal League for a term expiring April 1, 2027.
Standing Committee Assignment: Selection Standards
Debra Kubitskey, South Lyon
Represents members submitted by the Senate Majority Leader
Term expires April 1, 2025
Debra Kubitskey, of South Lyon, is an assistant county administrator for Jackson County. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Central Michigan University and a Master in Public Administration from Eastern Michigan University. Mrs. Kubitskey is appointed to represent members submitted by the Senate Majority Leader for a term commencing July 22, 2021 and expiring April 1, 2025. She succeeds Michael Puerner whose term expired April 1, 2021.
Standing Committee Assignments:
Paula B. Mathes, Muskegon
Represents member submitted by the Michigan District Judges Association
Term expires April 1, 2026
Judge Paula Baker Mathes was elected to the 60th District Court in 2020. Judge Mathes began her legal career helping indigent clients in civil matters. She spent 4 years at Legal Services of Northern Michigan in Escanaba. Then she moved to Muskegon where she worked for 10 years as an assistant prosecutor. She was in private practice for a few years before joining the Muskegon County Public Defender’s Office where she worked for 6 years. She earned her BA from Tulane University and her JD from Cooley Law School at Western Michigan University.
Judge Mathes is appointed to represent members submitted by the District Judges Association for a term commencing September 19, 2022, and expiring April 1, 2026. She succeeds Judge Kristina Robinson Garrett whose term expired April 1, 2022.
Standing Committee Assignment: Performance Standards
Margaret A. McAvoy, Owosso
Represents members submitted by the Michigan Association of Counties
Term expires April 1, 2027
Margaret A. McAvoy, of Owosso, is the county administrator controller for Isabella County and serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for the Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! Ms. McAvoy is appointed to fill a new seat created by Act 443 of 2018, to represent the Michigan Association of Counties for a term expiring April 1, 2023.
Standing Committee Assignment: Selection Standards
Tom McMillin, Oakland Township
Represents members submitted by the Speaker of the House
Term expires April 1, 2025
Tom McMillin is the owner of Michigan Community Auditors PLLC., and served as a Michigan State Representative from 2009 – 2014. He authored the bill that created the MIDC. He serves on the state’s Board of Education, and is a certified public accountant. Mr. McMillin earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan.
Standing Committee Assignment: Indigence & Compensation
Glenn Simmington, Flint
Represents members submitted by the Criminal Defense Attorney Association of Michigan
Term expires April 1, 2029
Glenn Simmington, of Flint, is an owner and attorney at the Law Office of Glenn M. Simmington, PLLC. He has previously been an associate attorney with Cline, Cline & Griffin, P.C. He has earned his Juris Doctorate Degree from Wayne State University and Bachelor of Art in political science from University of Michigan-Flint. Glenn Simmington is appointed to represent individuals nominated by Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan for a term commencing August 29, 2024, and expiring April 1, 2028. Simmington succeeds Joshua Blanchard, whose term has expired.
Robert J. VerHeulen, Walker
Represents members submitted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives
Term expires April 1, 2025
Robert J. VerHeulen is the former mayor of the city of Walker and state representative for the 74th House District. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Michigan and Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State University. Mr. VerHeulen is appointed to represent members submitted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring April 1, 2025. He succeeds Joseph Haveman whose term expired April 1, 2021.
Gary Walker, Marquette
Represents members submitted by the prosecuting attorneys association of Michigan
Term expires April 1, 2026
Gary Walker, of Marquette, previously served as the prosecuting attorney for Marquette County for more than 35 years. Mr. Walker served as a longtime member of the Prosecuting Attorneys Board of Directors and was Chair of the Prosecuting Attorneys Coordinating Council. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the National District Attorneys Association. In 2008, Mr. Walker was given the Minister of Justice Award by the American Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section. Mr. Walker earned a bachelor’s degree in social science from Michigan State University and a law degree from the University of Michigan.
Standing Committee Assignment: Selection Standards, Performance Standards
Alicia Moon, Supreme Court General Counsel
Supreme Court Chief Justice Designee, ex officio member
Ms. Moon is General Counsel to the Michigan Supreme Court and has been designated by Chief Justice Clement to the Commission pursuant to MCL 780.987, effective May 2023.