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Speakers back rule-based appellate deadlines but urge accountability for appointed counsel
Summary
Witnesses told the Court that adopting rule-based briefing deadlines (MCR 7.312) for cases involving appointed counsel would protect indigent defendants’ appellate rights, but they warned deadlines alone are insufficient without meaningful enforcement, timely transcripts, and protections against abandonment.
Jacqueline McCann and Beth Ayers spoke in favor of proposed MCR 7.312 amendments establishing rule-based briefing deadlines where counsel is appointed for indigent defendants. McCann asked the Court to extend the proposal to additional appellate categories (E2 matters), citing that indigent defendants sometimes appear in this Court and need consistent deadlines.
Beth Ayers said deadlines are important but not enough on their own. She warned that the attorney grievance process currently yields formal discipline in a small proportion of complaints and expressed concern that removing term limits or consolidating leadership in oversight bodies could reduce public trust. Ayers urged that any new deadline regime include mechanisms to ensure timely transcript production, accountability for appointed counsel, and safeguards against procedural abandonment that can permanently harm defendants’ appellate rights.
The Court took comments for the record and did not act at the hearing.
