Michigan Legislature Committees Hold Joint Hearing on Juvenile Legal Assistance
A pair of committees in the Michigan Legislature, the House Criminal Justice Committee and the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, will convene for a joint hearing on bills aimed at ensuring that juveniles facing delinquency charges have proper legal representation. These bills are based on recommendations made by a task force that spent two years working on overhauling the state’s juvenile justice system.
Support for the bills comes from Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement, who believes that consistent standards are needed across all jurisdictions to provide adequate legal representation for children facing delinquency charges in juvenile courts. Chief Justice Clement wants to ensure that young individuals in the juvenile system have the same rights as adults charged in criminal courts. This includes having attorneys who are well-trained and fairly compensated to work in this specialized legal field.
Having an attorney who understands the law and the potential consequences at every step of the way is crucial for young people and their families, according to Chief Justice Clement. She emphasizes the importance of providing quality representation to youth and their families involved in the justice system, as it helps them navigate a system that can be complex and overwhelming.
The shortage of attorneys in the juvenile system for families who cannot afford representation on their own is viewed as unfair by Kristen Staley, the executive director of the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission. Staley points out that adults charged with theft and similar crimes already have the right to an attorney, regardless of their ability to pay. However, children facing similar charges do not have the same access to legal representation, which Staley believes is a major problem. She sees this as an opportunity to rectify the situation and ensure that children are not left behind.
It is important to note that the proposed standards would not apply to minors facing charges of murder or other violent felonies. These cases are typically charged as adult crimes, and thus, minors involved in such cases are already entitled to public defenders.
The joint hearing on these bills is a significant step towards improving the juvenile justice system in Michigan. By addressing the issue of legal representation for children facing delinquency charges, the state aims to create a fair and equitable system that upholds the constitutional rights of all individuals, regardless of their age or financial status.
Original Story at www.michiganradio.org – 2023-09-19 02:25:00
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