Commission Meetings and Minutes

The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission meets regularly in Lansing.  Information about upcoming meetings and minutes from all meetings can be found on the MIDC’s website.

View our calendar.

Read about our Commissioners.

Governor Appoints Kristina Robinson to MIDC

Governor Rick Snyder recently announced the appointment of Kristina Robinson of Detroit to the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission.

“I thank Kristina for ensuring the people of Michigan have access to proper legal counsel,” Snyder said.

Robinson is general counsel for the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and previously served as the director of legal research and analysis. She is a member of the Major County Sheriffs of America legal affairs committee, the legal officers section of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and is a board member for Urban League of Detroit and Southeastern Michigan. Robinson holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a law degree form the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She will serve as the nominee of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Kevin Offner.

Robinson will serve the remainder of a four-year term expiring April 1, 2019.

Read the full press release here.

Read about the Commissioners here.

Position Available: Regional Manager (South Central Michigan)

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: February 12, 2018 by 5:00 p.m.

Apply online by clicking here.

Regional Manager: South Central Michigan

Counties covered:  Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, Shiawassee, and Washtenaw.

Summary

The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) is seeking a Regional Manager to facilitate the creation of superior systems for representation of indigent clients charged with crimes. Regional Managers provide direction and guidance to indigent defense delivery systems around the state on compliance with MIDC-enacted standards. They serve as the liaisons between local systems and the MIDC.

This challenging and rewarding opportunity will require the skills of a diplomat and knowledge of indigent defense systems and models.  Regional Managers must have a thorough working knowledge of the MIDC Act and a wide variety of models of indigent defense delivered locally in Michigan and nationwide.  Successful candidates will work with criminal justice stakeholders to design the most appropriate plans for meeting minimum standards for indigent defense in a particular county or system.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Meet with partners in the local indigent defense delivery system(s) in the designated region including but not limited to county commissioners, administrators, staff, and other local government representatives, and assist with the coordination of compliance plans for MIDC Standards and best practices;
  • Identify and meet with many key members of the local criminal justice systems including court staff, judges, criminal defense attorney practitioners, prosecutors and jail staff, to collaborate on compliance with MIDC standards for best practices in indigent defense representation;
  • Prepare and deliver presentations about the work of the MIDC to all system stakeholders;
  • Offer practical and innovative solutions at the local level for indigent defense reform;
  • Assist on other projects as assigned.

Education and Experience

Preferred candidates will have a juris doctor degree and experience representing indigent clients.  A minimum of five years of progressively more responsible work experience working in court, public, or business administration, or representing indigent clients is desired.  A bachelor’s degree is required, and a master’s degree in public or business administration or a juris doctor from an accredited law school may be substituted for two years of experience.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Due to significant travel within the region, an individual with a valid driver’s license and insured vehicle is required.

Work Location:

The ideal candidate should be based in a South Central Michigan county as indicated in the position description.

Periodic travel to the MIDC Office in Lansing, Michigan is expected.

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For applicants not currently residing or working in the South Central Michigan region: please describe in your cover letter your connection to the area or other reason for interest in the region.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: February 12, 2018 by 5:00 p.m.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

MIDC Reviewed and Made Decisions on all Compliance Plans

The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission met on December 19, 2017 and January 5, 2018 to review and make decisions on the compliance plans submitted by funding units for court systems statewide.

Of the 134 systems, all but two submitted plans for review and decision by the Commission.  The MIDC will send formal notice of the decisions to all systems during the week of January 8, 2018.

Regional Managers have specific information about Commission decisions and staff feedback.  They will be actively working with funding units on drafting amended plans for re-submission to the Commission, as required by statute.

For additional information, see the Grand Rapids Legal News coverage.

MIDC Special Meeting Agenda

The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission will be meeting on January 5, 2018 beginning at 10 a.m. for the purpose of reviewing compliance plans submitted by Michigan trial court funding units.

Agenda

Note that the agenda includes the list of plans for January 5, 2018 and January 8, 2018. Please note that some or all plans scheduled for January 8 review will be shifted to January 5 if time permits

Michigan standards for court-appointed attorneys survive challenge from Oakland County

As reported in the Lansing State Journal, on November 3, 2017 the Michigan Court of Claims issued an Opinion and Order that dismissed a lawsuit brought by Oakland County against the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission.  The lawsuit raised challenges to the MIDC Act as well as to the MIDC’s implementation of the first standards for indigent defense delivery systems.

Read  the Opinion and Order by Judge Christopher M. Murray that dismissed Oakland County’s lawsuit here.

The full docket entries from the case in the Michigan Court of Claims can be access here.

Coverage of the Court’s decision in the Lansing State Journal can be read here.

All indigent defense delivery systems are required to submit plans for compliance with the MIDC’s first standards no later than November 20, 2017.  Find information about the MIDC’s standards and the application for compliance plans and grant funding on our website.

 

Position Available: MIDC Executive Director

As announced at the October 17, 2017 Commission meeting, Executive Director Jonathan Sacks has accepted a position as Director of the State Appellate Defender Office.  Mr. Sacks will leave the MIDC in January 2018.

The full posting for the MIDC Executive Director position is below.  Applications should be submitted through the State of Michigan’s website: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/michigan/jobs/1889600/director-midc

Position Available – Executive Director

Michigan Indigent Defense Commission

$92,000 – $133,000 or as set by the Commission

 The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) is looking for qualified applicants to serve as Executive Director. The position is appointed and supervised by the MIDC, and is responsible for developing and overseeing reforms to Michigan’s public defense system consistent with the Michigan indigent defense commission act (Public Act 93 of 2013).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Advocating for legislative appropriations required to fund implementation of standards adopted by the MIDC.
  • Reviewing local compliance plans implementing the minimum standards adopted by the MIDC.
  • Researching, developing and drafting new standards and requirements for the provision of indigent defense services in Michigan and presenting these to the MIDC for its approval.
  • Hiring, supervising and directing the personnel of the MIDC.
  • Providing leadership and direction toward the development and achievement of the MIDC’s philosophy, mission, and its immediate and long-term goals and objectives.
  • Leading the MIDC’s effort to preserve, protect, and where appropriate, advance the right to counsel for indigent persons. Enabling the MIDC to identify and establish best practices for delivering the effective assistance of counsel.
  • Developing and maintaining clear, frequent and effective communication with the MIDC, local court funding units, leadership of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, bar associations, associations of lawyers that provide representation to indigent defendants, the media, indigent client population, and the public.
  • Monitoring the use of funds and approving all expenditures. Preparing and presenting the annual budget for approval of the MIDC and submission to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and the Michigan Legislature. Working with legislative committees and leadership to ensure that appropriation requests are procured by the MIDC.
  • Development and implementation of procedures and policies necessary to effectuate Public Act 93 of 2013, including, but not limited to, each of the following:
  • Collecting accurate data from local units of government and other sources. Summarizing the collected data and preparing reports for the MIDC, stakeholders, and the public.
  • Implementing rules and procedures for indigent criminal defense systems to apply to the MIDC for grants to bring a system’s delivery of services into compliance with the minimum standards established by the MIDC.
  • Annually reporting to the Governor, the legislature and the Michigan Supreme Court. Publishing policies, budget, indigent defense data, and other information for the public on the MIDC website.
  • Evaluating local systems’ compliance with approved standards and recommending corrective actions if a system is not in compliance.
  • Establishing procedures for the receipt and resolution of complaints and the implementation of recommendations from the courts, other participants in the criminal justice system, clients and members of the public.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

A juris doctor degree from an ABA approved school is preferred. Applicants with an advanced degree or experience in public administration, court administration or related administrative field, plus management experience will be considered.

The ideal candidate should have significant experience in the representation of indigent clients, significant commitment to this priority, significant public sector leadership experience and be highly skilled in personnel management, public policy advocacy and budget development.  A demonstrated ability to inspire and lead people is essential.

All applicants must have competent knowledge of Michigan’s criminal justice system and its statutes and rules; the statutes creating the MIDC; and be comfortable working with individuals from a variety of organizations.  Preference given to applicants with knowledge of the issues surrounding indigent defense, Michigan’s system for providing public defense and experience with the legislative process in Michigan. 

WORK LOCATION

Lansing, Michigan with periodic travel throughout the state.

INSTRUCTIONS

            Applications must be submitted through the State of Michigan’s online hiring system. For details and to apply, please see https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/michigan/jobs/1889600/director-midc

All applicants are required to submit a separate, detailed and concise narrative statement addressing each of the following items. These statements will be used to distinguish the best-qualified candidates for the position. Please discuss and explain the following:

  1. Management and/or supervisory experience;
  2. Criminal defense experience and knowledge of Michigan’s criminal system;
  3. Knowledge of the State of Michigan’s appropriations process; and,
  4. Commitment to quality, zealous legal representation to indigent people facing a loss of liberty.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:           November 30, 2017

 

 

 

MIDC Proposes Standard for Economic Disincentives and Incentives

The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission met on October 17, 2017 and released for comment a standard on economic disincentives and incentives, pursuant to MCL 780.991(2)(b).  The standard is prefaced with language making clear that assigned counsel “must have the time, fees, and resources to provide the effective assistance of counsel guaranteed to indigent criminal defendants by the United States and Michigan Constitutions.”

Read the full text of the proposed standard here.

Download the complete packet of standards here.

Earlier this summer, the MIDC also proposed minimum standards for indigent criminal defense services addressing the need for independence from the judiciary, defender workload limitations, and qualification and review of attorneys accepting assignments in adult criminal cases.  The full text of all of standards can be found on the MIDC’s website.

The MIDC invites all stakeholders in the criminal justice community and the general public to provide feedback on the proposed standards through Februrary 1, 2018.  Comments on the newly proposed standards can be sent to comments@michiganidc.gov or mailed to the MIDC’s Lansing office.

 

Webinars Available for Compliance Planning

The MIDC staff conducted a series of webinars for funding units around Michigan during the month of September.  Each session lasted approximately one-hour, and all are available to view online.  The webinars provided an overview of the compliance plan materials and walked participants through the application itself.  The sessions were facilitated by Rebecca Mack, the MIDC’s Grant Manager, and by Marla McCowan, the MIDC’s Director of Training, Outreach & Support.  Regional Managers moderated an interactive question and answer session at the end of each presentation.

Use these links to view the webinar for the Western Michigan region, the Mid-Michigan region, the South Central Michigan region, the Northern Michigan region, the Oakland/Macomb/St. Clair/Lapeer region, and the Wayne County region.

A handout for the PowerPoint presentation is here.  Additional materials are available on our grants page.

A webinar detailing instructions for funding units to register for the MIDC portal, used to upload compliance plans and related documents, can be found here:

 

Jeffrey Collins Appointed to MIDC

Governor Rick Snyder has appointed Jeffrey Collins of Detroit to the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission.  Collins will serve as a nominee of the Senate Majority Leader and replace Shela Motley.

“I thank Jeffrey for his commitment to ensuring all Michiganders have access to sufficient legal representation,” Snyder said.

Read the Governor’s press release here.

Read about all of the Commissioners on the MIDC’s website.