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Senate Hearings to Open on Public Defense in Michigan

WKAR file photo

The state Senate Judiciary Committee opens hearings Tuesday on a plan to fix Michigan’s public defender system. The committee chair says he has to be convinced there is a problem with people not getting fair representation.

Senate Judiciary Committee chair Rick Jones says he never saw a problem with public defense in his experience as a sheriff in mid-Michigan. But he says that doesn’t mean there aren’t problems in some parts of the state with ensuring defendants are adequately represented – regardless of their ability to pay.

“I’m not prepared to say at this time that the system is broken, but I’m willing to listen and hear from both sides before I make a final decision,” he says.

Advocates for public defense reform say there is no county in Michigan that does everything necessary to ensure an adequate defense for everyone charged with a crime. Independent reports rank Michigan’s system among the worst in the country. Among other things, they’ve found too many public defenders are untrained, inexperienced, and overworked.

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.
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