To: Martin L. Cousineau, Finance Committee Chairperson
From: Nathaniel C. Perry, III, Chief Public Defender
title
RE: Approval of a request to create, post, & fill two (2) new Assistant Public Defender Junior Associate positions; these positions are fully grant funded
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval of request to create, post, and fill two (2) new Assistant Public Defender Junior Associate positions; these positions are fully grant funded
BACKGROUND:
The Office of the Public Defender is responsible for providing qualified, effective assistance of counsel guaranteed by the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Michigan. In addition, our office is required to meet standards set by the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) for continued grant funding. On October 24, 2023, the MIDC passed Standard 7 requiring specific attorney qualifications, both in years and trial experience, for different case levels. In addition, Standard 6 mandates caseload maximums. Our office strives to be proactive in ensuring we have enough attorneys to handle the felony caseload and that attorneys gain the necessary experience to comply with the standard.
DISCUSSION:
To continue efforts to attract and retain passionate and talented individuals to Genesee County, our office seeks to create two Assistant Public Defender Junior Associate positions for recent law school graduates to work within our office prior to passing the state bar.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
The positions will need to be created and the positions filled.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
The funding for these positions is provided by the MIDC grant. No County appropriation is required.
Source of Funding: MIDC: 2921-283.00
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
The Chief Public Defender is working with County administration regarding future staff space needs.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
New staff will require the usual equipment.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
The Office of the Public Defender is responsible for providing constitutionally guaranteed, quality legal representation to all adults charged with crimes in Genesee County who cannot afford an attorney, embracing diversity, equity and inclusion in our daily operations. These new positions help ensure equity and fairness for all of those charged with crimes that are represented by our Office. In addition, these positions will help attract and retain young skilled attorneys in Genesee County, promoting community growth.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the Chief Public Defender to authorize establishing, posting, and filling two new Assistant Public Defender Junior Associate positions, said new positions to be fully funded by the MIDC Grant 2921-283.00-702.000 and related fringe accounts with no County appropriation required, is approved (a copy of the memorandum request and supporting documentation being on file with the official records of the March 11, 2026 meeting of the Finance Committee of this Board), and the Chief Financial Officer is directed to record the attached budget amendment.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Board finds that extenuating circumstances exist supporting waiver of the hiring freeze, and directs the Director of Human Resources to have the necessary personnel position numbers created, as necessary, for said positions and to commence the hiring process so that the positions may be filled as soon as practicable in accordance with County policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreement.