Justice for All: State wants counties to improve legal help for poor defendants

"St. Clair County could be spending $734,024 to make sure people who cannot afford a lawyer are adequately represented when they are charged with a crime.

The cost is part of a plan to bring the county into compliance with four standards established by the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission.

"No one is opposed to providing adequate or superior representation for defendants," said Michael McMillin, court administrator in St. Clair County. "Obviously, like everything else, it comes with a cost.

"Our biggest concern is are these costs going to be covered by the state as planned?" he said.

The county's plan includes a state grant request of $184,805, bringing the total cost to $918,829..."

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