Indigent Defense

Responsibilities

Monroe County Indigent Defense provides effective legal representation to Monroe County residents who cannot afford to pay for private legal counsel.

Monroe County is in the process of transitioning the management of the administrative functions of the Indigent Defense System from the Monroe County court system to the County itself.

Once the transition is complete, the Indigent Defense Coordinator will oversee all aspects of the Indigent Defense system in Monroe County, including budgeting, financial reporting, reviewing and processing invoices for payment of attorneys. The coordinator will also collect data from the court system, financial records and submitted invoices to prepare reports and the annual grant application.

The Indigent Defense Coordinator will maintain a roster of Court Appointed Attorneys that are qualified to accept case assignments.

In addition, the Indigent Defense Coordinator will verify that the County is in compliance with the standards set forth by the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission.