A bill rectifying startling loopholes in Michigan’s Juvenile Indigent Defense System is on its way to Governor Whitmer.
In another stunning, “WTF is wrong with Michigan?!” moment, I still cannot believe that Michigan has allowed a blatant constitutional loophole against children to exist as long as it has.
Thankfully, the bill passed in a 26-to-10 vote. And I have to say that as a voter, I am extremely perplexed by the individuals who voted against protecting constitutional rights to children. The article in particular cites Sen. Jim Runestad of White Lake as a voice of descent in the debate. After reading his comments, I can’t say that he is a constitutionalist. I’m greatly disheartened as well, that as the son of two educators, and an alleged champion for at-risk youth, he refuses to recognize the very real existence of the school-to-prison pipeline.
The Sixth Amendment guarantees defendants the right to counsel. Children should not be an exception when the prosecutorial incentive structure is to rack up convictions.
While Prosecutors and Judges still have the power, and I would argue responsibility to implement diversion programs and behave ethically, one sadly cannot count on all of them to follow the rules. As a result, there is so much legislative reform that needs to be done.
Read the article here.
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