The City of Grand Rapids is Requesting Expressions of Interest from Attorneys to provide contractual Indigent Defense Service pursuant to Standard 4 for the period of October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2025.
Statement of Work:
The MIDC Act outlines Standard 4 – Counsel at First Appearance and Other Critical Stages of the Case be established to effectuate the following:
- All adults, except those appearing with retained counsel or those who have made an informed waiver of counsel, shall be screened for eligibility under this act, and counsel shall be assigned as soon as an indigent adult is determined to be eligible for indigent criminal defense services. MCL 780.991(1)(c); and
- Preliminary inquiry regarding, and the determination of, the indigence of any defendant shall be made by the court not later than the defendant’s first appearance in court. MCL 780.991(3)(a).
Counsel shall be appointed to provide assistance to the defendant as soon as the defendant’s liberty is subject to restriction by a magistrate or judge. All persons determined to be eligible for indigent criminal defense services shall also have appointed counsel at pre-trial proceedings, during plea negotiations and at other critical stages, whether in court or out of court.
Scope of Work:
The City of Grand Rapids intends to contract with up to forty-two (42) attorneys to represent indigent defendants determined eligible by the arraigning judge to obtain assigned counsel.
Following appointment, Assigned Counsel shall conduct initial introductions with the client as soon as practicable to ensure quality representation. If a client is in local custody, counsel shall conduct initial introduction within three (3) business days of appointment.
Assigned Counsel shall provide legal services for indigent person(s) constitutionally and statutorily entitled to the appointment of counsel. Assigned Counsel shall:
- Comply with all requirements of the Michigan Statues, the Rules of Professional Conduct, the rules of the Michigan Bar and the policy and procedures set forth by the 61st District Court.
- Come to hearings prepared to provide competent representation.
- Not allow outside influences that affect performance on appointed cases.
- Take appropriate action when a client’s competency is unknown. Counsel has a continuing responsibility to evaluate, and when necessary, take appropriate action pursuant to MCR 6.125 and MCL 330.2020.
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