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State cuts to indigent defense funding prompt local review, possible appeal
Summary
Staff said the state reduced MIDC funding by roughly $40 million statewide; Ottawa County public defender staff are preparing appeals and staff said a formal appeal to the MIDC board could occur Sept. 9, with county operations using existing funds during any appeal period.
County staff updated the board that the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) made statewide reductions that affect local public defender funding. A public defender representative told the board the MIDC reductions amount to roughly $40,000,000 statewide and noted changes to fringe benefit allocations that could reduce local funding and require an appeal.
"The state of Michigan has cut the MIDC program statewide by approximately $40,000,000," the representative said and described the appeals process: an initial informal appeal to MIDC staff followed by a formal appeal to the MIDC board if needed, with a tentative date of Sept. 9 for a board appeal. Staff said the local office can draw on existing funds for a roughly 60‑day mediation period but warned the outcome could affect the public defender budget later in the year.
