Programs
Attorney Qualification Program
Our Attorney Qualification Program is the umbrella under which our qualification committee is established. It provides guidance on where to find information and registration for training which meets our qualification criteria, as well as information on how to report training in advance of the annual deadline, and information about the application process to become part of the indigent defense roster.
Defender Support Unit
The Defender Support Unit (DSU) enhances indigent defense in Wayne County by supporting a holistic, client-centered approach to legal representation, recognizing that individuals are more than the charges they face. The DSU promotes an interdisciplinary approach to legal advocacy by embedding Defender Support Advocates on defense teams to conduct mitigation investigations, facilitate release planning, connect clients to community-based services, and provide general case consultations. Our team is committed to centering each client’s unique story and addressing underlying needs to achieve better outcomes both in the legal case and in the client’s life.
Investigator and Expert Program
Our Investigator and Expert Program is a direct response to the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission's Standard 3, establishing funding and oversight for the use of private investigation and expert witness support in indigent defense cases. For the highest severity cases in our jurisdiction, the use of investigation is required and can be reviewed under our policies and procedures.
We maintain a courtesy list of established providers on our site, as well as all the requisite forms to request a provider, request payment as a provider, quality surveys, and sample documents demonstrating how certain forms should be completed.
Second Chair Program
The Wayne County Second Chair Pilot Program was born in calendar year 2023 as a way for attorneys interested in gaining the necessary trial experience for higher severity cases an avenue to acquire such experience. It also serves as a mechanism for Second Chair attorneys to be compensated for work performed as a second chair in our program.