The Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform, made up of representatives across branches of government, political parties, and the juvenile justice continuum, conducted a data-driven analysis of Michigan’s juvenile justice system. They found:

• Michigan lacks a centralized structure for juvenile public defense.

• There are minimal standards, supports, and resources.

• No monitoring mechanism exists to ensure youth receive adequate defense services.

• Youth experience wide variation across counties in access to trained defenders, the timing of counsel, and the services available.

House Bill 4070 would amend the MIDC Act, requiring the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission to develop, implement, and enforce minimum standards for youth defense services. This legislation was part of the Justice for Kids and Communities package. Despite passing both chambers with broad bipartisan support, it was stalled due to a technical error and had to be reintroduced in 2025.

Why support this legislation?

• Upholds youth rights: More than 50 years after the landmark Supreme Court decision in In re Gault established the right to counsel for children, many youth still navigate the juvenile court system without an attorney or with under-resourced counsel.
• Fairness and reliability are central: Different results for the same offense in different counties undermine confidence in the system and harm youth success.
• Proven cost savings: State-structured defense models reduce sentence lengths, lowering incarceration costs and long-term justice system expenses.

By completing this letter, you support the rights of Michigan’s justice-involved youth! Please provide the information under this page's “Take Action” section and click "Start Writing." You will be taken to a pre-drafted letter in support of this legislation.