http://michiganradio.org en http://michiganradio.org/post/bill-reform-michigans-public-defender-system-comes-senate-panel <p>A Senate panel has begun hearing arguments on a bill to fix the way Michigan counties provide defense attorneys to the poor.</p><p>The chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee says he’s still skeptical about the legislation.</p><p>Senator Rick Jones says it’s clear a handful of counties are having problems appointing competent public defenders. But he says he still doesn’t see it as a statewide issue that requires sweeping changes.</p><p>Nancy Diehl is the former president of the State Bar of Michigan, which supports the bill.</p> Tue, 09 Oct 2012 20:58:48 +0000 Jake Neher 9435 at http://michiganradio.org Bill to reform Michigan's public defender system comes before Senate panel