Supporting Assigned Counsel
Seeking a Fair and Just Criminal Justice System
Facilitating Effective Representation for the Accused
Attention Prospective and Current Managed Assigned Counsel:
Our roster application period is coming. The Fall 2025 NEW Attorney Application is only for attorneys not already on our roster. Current MAC attorneys will use the RENEWAL application. Please see this page for further information.
Wayne County's Indigent Defense Services Department (IDSD), formerly Office of Public Defense Services (OPDS), was launched in August 2020. IDSD is responsible for developing and implementing plans for compliance with the standards of the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC). Approved standards include training of assigned counsel, ensuring counsel at the first court appearance, prompt visitation between assigned counsel and clients, access to investigators and experts, and most recently, independence from the judiciary.
Approximately 35% of Wayne County's 16,000 assignments of counsel are presently allocated to the Neighborhood Defender Service Detroit, with the remainder allocated to private counsel qualified by the Third Circuit Court to accept assignments. The IDSD is funded through annual state grants from the MIDC, as well as funding received from the County.