SBM Blog

Michigan Supreme Court Seeks Input on Proposed Standards for Appointed Counsel

The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission has crafted standards for appointed counsel and submitted them to the Michigan Supreme Court for review. The court seeks public comment on the proposed standards  until May 1, and these comments will be considered by the court at a public hearing on May 18. 

"These initial standards tackle some of the major problems Michigan faces in the delivery of adequate indigent defense systems: training and education of counsel, the initial client interview, use of investigation and experts and counsel at first appearance and other stages," said MIDC Chair James Fisher in a statement. 

View the proposed standards. 

Comment on the proposed standards. 

Posted by Samantha Meinke

Join the State Bar for a Town Hall Meeting

Join the leaders of the SBM 21st Century Practice Task Force from 1-4 p.m. on Friday January 29 to discuss the future of the legal profession at a town hall meeting.

The 21st Century Practice Task Force was created in March 2015 to make recommendations on how the State Bar can best serve the public and support lawyers' professional development in a rapidly changing legal marketplace. Since then, over 150 SBM members have developed more than 100 ideas to move Michigan forward toward the best possible legal future.

Now it's your turn!

The State Bar invites you to attend, in person or virtually, a town hall meeting to learn more about why the task force was formed, and offer your insights, ideas, and concerns. If you want to attend in person, make a reservation by e-mailing [email protected]. The State Bar is also arranging live-streaming and virtual participation. If you are interested in virtual participation, e-mail [email protected].