Groundbreaking Move to Fix Broken Indigent Defense System on the Horizon after Vote in House Judiciary Committee
LANSING, MI – The following is a statement from Marcela Westrate, Executive Director of the Michigan Campaign for Justice, on the passage today of bipartisan House Bill 5804 in the House Judiciary Committee. This legislation implements recommendations from the recently released report completed by the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Indigent Defense to fix Michigan’s broken indigent defense system.
“Republicans and Democrats in the House Judiciary Committee should be commended today for partnering in the effort to fix Michigan’s broken indigent defense system. The Committee’s bipartisan approval of House Bill 5804 shows that momentum is building to uphold our Constitutional values and to fix Michigan’s broken indigent defense system, making it more effective, transparent and efficient.
“State Representatives McMillin, Lipton and Walsh, the bill’s sponsors, deserve great credit for taking the Commission’s findings and recommendations and turning them into a bipartisan plan of action to protect the rights of Michigan residents. We thank the bill’s sponsors and the over 70 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle and urge a vote on the House floor as soon as possible in order to move this legislation to Governor Snyder’s desk.”
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The Michigan Campaign for Justice heads a broad-based coalition of organizations and individuals from across the political spectrum fighting for a fair and effective public defense system in Michigan. The Campaign believes that legislative reform is needed to improve cost effectiveness, protect the public’s safety and ensure one’s Constitutional right to counsel. Find out more at: mijustice.org.
