Public Defenders? Who are they? What do they do?

 

“The opposite of poverty is not wealth. In too many places, the opposite of poverty is justice.”

― Bryan Stevenson 

Chances are, you heard nothing about this today. But, this is a special day in our country. March 18 is National Public Defense Day…a day that was created to honor those lawyers who resist the appeal to make big money in order to represent individuals who are charged with crimes but are unable to hire a defense attorney. 

Most of us haven’t been arrested. And, if we were, we probably have enough dollars to hire a lawyer. But, there are many who cannot, and I’m proud to say that our country’s forefathers considered that possibility. Here’s how the UCLA Law Library words it: "The right to counsel under the U.S. Constitution is actually a fairly simple concept. If you are charged with a crime for which you face potential time in jail, then you have the constitutional right to have a lawyer to assist you in your defense. And if you can’t afford to hire that lawyer on your own, then the government must provide you with a qualified attorney at public expense." 

Our team at HUMANITY FOR PRISONERS has high regard for Public Defenders. While the constitution was quite clear on the matter, public assistance in individual states has varied over the years, perhaps more so in individual counties. 

Realizing that this might be a problem, the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) was created by our legislators in 2013 after an advisory commission recommended improvements to the state’s legal system. The MIDC works to ensure the state’s public defense system is fair, cost-effective and constitutional while simultaneously protecting public safety and accountability. 

The Commission is composed of 18 members appointed by the Governor. The organization meets multiple times throughout the year to create and implement standards for indigent defense delivery services. It’s mission: to ensure that all eligible adults charged with a criminal offense in Michigan have access to quality public defense services, operating under the principles of fairness, cost-effectiveness, and constitutionality. 

“The true measure of our character is how we treat the poor, the disfavored, the accused, the incarcerated, and the condemned.”

― Bryan Stevenson 

Here in Ottawa County, the Public Defender’s Office began full operations in 2019. Its staff of 18 attorneys now takes all indigent defense cases in the county and retains a roster of private attorneys for cases in which the public defender's office has a conflict of interest. In addition to attorneys, the office employs a social worker, an investigator and six office staff. 

One thing about this whole Public Defender concept that really touches me: Public Defenders often work to help disadvantaged members of society! Praise God! 

On National Public Defense Day, HFP pays tribute to these unsung heroes! 

Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,

but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

Proverbs 14:31

 

 

 

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