A group representing poor criminal defendants filed a lawsuit against the state Thursday, claiming that it has failed to spend enough money on public defenders in violation of the federal and state constitutions.

The suit was filed on behalf of defendants in Berrien, Genesee and Muskegon counties who can't afford a private lawyer and rely on a public defender, but it's intended to have a statewide impact.

"The state has turned its back on this crisis," said Michael Steinberg, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, a member of the Michigan Coalition for Justice.

In announcing the case, the ACLU and others said Michigan has abdicated its duty to ensure people accused of crimes get timely, qualified and effective legal assistance. They said Michigan is one of just eight states to give no money to counties for public defenders, resulting in funding disparities for court-appointed attorneys among the state's 83 counties.

Public defenders are burdened by overwhelming caseloads, and Michigan has no standards ensuring they get training and supervision, said Vanita Gupta, staff attorney with the National ACLU. She said in Berrien County, the prosecution gets nearly four times as much funding as the public defense system.