|
 |
 |
 |
Coalition Suing State
Feb. 22, 2007
WLNS (MI)
The State of Michigan is facing another lawsuit. This time the ACLU claims the state's public defender system is in need of repair. Everyone has the right to an attorney in America, but some say Michigan is not providing adequate public defenders.
Pamela Anderson, Michigan resident: "The public defensive system in Michigan was awful."
Pamela Anderson has firsthand experience. She says her brother's public defender did not show up to court. He did not return phone calls and he did not give sound legal advice.
Pamela Anderson: "They knew nothing about him or his case and they did not do anything to help him."
The Michigan coalition says this case is just a sample, and they say this is a systematic problem across the state of Michigan.
Vanita Gupta, ACLU Attorney: "It's the system, it's absolutely failing defendants at this time."
The group is calling for changes through a lawsuit. They want the state to provide funding and oversight of trial level public defense services. They are also calling for an overhaul of the public defense system, to ensure everyone has a right to counsel.
Vanita Gupta: "We are asking the court to declare the current system unconstitutional. It's not meeting standards, and once that declaration is given, the state legislature should step up and figure out solutions."
A spokeswoman for Governor Jennifer Granholm says the state is currently reviewing the allegations and that the governor is committed to protecting the constitution of all Michigan citizens.
|
 |
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
1660 L St., NW, 12th Floor, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 872-8600 • Fax (202) 872-8690 •
assist@nacdl.org
| |