To: Martin L. Cousineau, Finance Committee Chairperson
From: Nathaniel C. Perry, III
title
RE: Approval of request to create, post, & fill four (4) intern positions at Genesee County's Public Defender's Office; the cost of these positions is fully grant funded
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval of request to establish four intern positions within the Public Defender's Office; the cost of these positions is fully grant funded.
BACKGROUND:
In 2008, the National Legal Aid and Defender Association published a report finding that the State of Michigan failed to provide constitutionally adequate defense counsel to those who cannot afford an attorney. In 2013, the state legislature created the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) to establish and enforce minimum standards for the delivery of indigent defense. By statute, the MIDC provides funding to local systems to comply with these standards.
DISCUSSION:
The MIDC provides funding for student interns in any field to support public defense. The Office of the Public Defender seeks to establish four intern positions. Grant funding is available to accommodate various internship program requirements for up to 10 weeks per semester, with funding in the budget for 2 semesters each calendar year for each of the positions.
Please note that the proposed Public Defender Intern positions are distinct from the established Holistic Defense Fellowship Internships. The Michigan Holistic Defense Fellowship is a statewide initiative, managed by a Fellowship Director, with Genesee County serving as one of its placement sites. This program is specifically designed for law and social work students. The proposed new Public Defender Intern positions would be open to students pursuing degrees in a variety of fields, with the goal of attracting individuals to careers in public service, public defense, and Genesee County. The interns would be compensated at the standard County intern rate.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESO...
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