Research Director Describes Survey Results

In a recent post for the National Association for Public Defense, MIDC Research Director Dr. Jonah Siegel discusses the work of the Commission in collecting data, our first survey of court systems, and how the results will be used to improve indigent defense statewide.

[T]he MIDC’s first research task was to survey all circuit and district courts in the state to gather basic information on the representation of indigent adult criminal defendants in their systems. Survey questions addressed the extent to which local public defense systems currently engage in evidence-based practices that have been identified nationally as characterizing representation that is high-quality and effective. The survey also intended to shed light on process. Since data on indigent defense representation have never been comprehensively and consistently collected in Michigan, data collection provided critical insight to the MIDC into how to most effectively connect with stakeholders to gather accurate information. The results will be used by the MIDC to inform the development of statewide minimum standards and to guide the implementation of standards in each local jurisdiction.

To read the full post, please see the NAPD’s website.

To read the entire survey report, click here.