Probate judge urges Monroe County to restore payment to court-appointed attorneys

Judge Cheryl Lohmeier, chief judge of the probate court and presiding juvenile judge, asked the board to reconsider a prior decision not to pay court-appointed attorneys in the probate and circuit courts. "Court appointed attorneys are not optional participants in our justice system," Lohmeier said, adding that appointed counsel is "statutorily and constitutionally required" to ensure fair representation for indigent people in criminal, juvenile and guardianship cases.

Lohmeier described the range of cases affected — from adults with serious mental‑health needs to children facing removal — and said appointed counsel perform difficult and essential work. Several defense attorneys in public comment echoed her plea. Sean Myers, a local defense attorney, said he has never withdrawn from the MIDC roster despite nonpayment and told commissioners he would continue to appear and explain how the assignment system works. Harry Meehas similarly defended appointed-counsel practices and urged commissioners to attend MIDC meetings to better understand review safeguards. The judge asked the board to reverse its prior decision and authorize payment; the board did not immediately reverse the earlier decision at this meeting and deferred further action pending the forensic audit and internal reviews.