State Bar statement on passage of Juvenile Justice Reform

Statement from Daniel D. Quick, president of the State Bar of Michigan, regarding legislative approval of Juvenile Justice Reform:

Passage of the Justice for Kids and Communities legislative package will transform Michigan’s juvenile justice system and the State Bar of Michigan was proud to support this important improvement in the quality of legal services for our state. This legislation provides courts and communities with tools to make a difference in young people’s lives and build a more just justice system while also promoting greater equity and enhanced public safety statewide.

While the State Bar is grateful for these significant changes, we also urge the Senate to build on this momentum by approving a bill that would expand the work of the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission to include juveniles. All Michigan residents have a constitutional right to effective legal representation, but our young people are being left to navigate the juvenile justice system with woefully inadequate legal representation, or no representation at all. This bill would allow the MIDC to set minimum standards and was a key part of the comprehensive, data-driven recommendations of the Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform.

We urge the Senate to pass House Bill 4630, because our kids deserve — and the Constitution demands — better.

Posted: November 9, 2023