Case Related to Court Public Defenders Continues


    May 17, 2007
    Associated Press

    A lawsuit against the state related to public defenders for poor criminal defendants may continue after a court ruling.

    An Ingham County judge on Wednesday denied the state's motion to dismiss the suit, parties in the case said.

    But appeals are likely.

    Advocates for poor defendants say the state doesn't spend enough money or provide enough training for representation from public defenders to be sufficient.

    The suit was filed earlier this year on behalf of defendants who can't afford private lawyers and rely on public defenders in Muskegon County, Berrien County and Genesee County.

    But backers of the suit say they aim to improve the indigent defense system statewide.



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