criminal justice

State lawmakers to discuss proposed fixes to Michigan's "broken" indigent defense system

Steve Carmody — Tue, 07 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

The State Senate Judiciary Committee takes up bills today that would greatly change Michigan’s indigent defense system.

James Samuels is the president of the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan. He says the current system Michigan uses to provide attorneys for poor defendants is “broken”.

Samuels likes the proposed changes, including the way attorneys get contracts to represent indigent defendants.

New online database tracks US exonerations since 1989

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:26:36 +0000

The University of Michigan Law School and the Center for Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University School of Law recently launched an online database containing an updated list of exonerations in the United States since 1989. The goal of the project is to prevent wrongful convictions or improve the process of identifying and correcting them should they occur.

So far, the National Registry of Exoneration lists more than 890 wrongfully convicted individuals.

New report highlights challenges for Michigan's juvenile lifers

Mercedes Mejia — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:26:41 +0000

Teen offenders in Michigan are worse off than teens in other states.

That's according to a new report from Michigan-based Second Chances 4 Youth and the state chapter of the ACLU.

New Department of Corrections Chief named

Mark Brush — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 15:16:08 +0000

Governor Rick Snyder has named Jackson County Sheriff Daniel Heyns as the new director of the Michigan Department of Corrections. He'll start his new duties on June 1st.

From the Governor's Press release:

Heyns earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Michigan in 1973 and a master’s in criminal justice, with a correctional administration focus, from Michigan State University in 1977. Heyns obtained his State of Michigan Police Officer Certification in 1981, is a graduate of the National FBI Academy and has completed special weapons and tactics training...
Heyns, of Jackson, has served as Jackson County sheriff since 2003. He is responsible for a $12.5 million budget, a 450-bed jail operation, 911 central dispatch center and multiple specialized units including marine patrol, detective bureau, K-9, narcotics, traffic, firearms, Special Response Team and school liaison. He previously served as Jackson County undersheriff and was a captain in the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.

The Associated Press notes that Heyns was a vocal opponent of Governor Granholm's plan to release more nonviolent prisoners eligible for parole.