© 2024 MICHIGAN PUBLIC
91.7 Ann Arbor/Detroit 104.1 Grand Rapids 91.3 Port Huron 89.7 Lansing 91.1 Flint
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Michigan lawsuit on court appointed lawyers allowed to proceed

Steve Carmody/Michigan Radio

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - The Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled that a long-running lawsuit can continue that challenges the system of appointing lawyers for criminal defendants who can't afford them.

In a 2-1 decision released Wednesday, the court says a lower judge was OK to reject the state's contention that the case shouldn't be granted class-action status.

The suit says the rights of poor people have been violated because of the paltry pay for court-appointed lawyers.

One appeals judge says the suit has had a "tortured history" in the state Supreme Court. It was filed more than six years ago, yet no judge has ruled on the underlying case.

The American Civil Liberties Union says it's hopeful it will get a chance to prove the indigent system is broken and must be fixed.

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting.