Description: The County of Wayne is requesting proposals for operation of a Public Defender Office (PDO) by a qualified non-profit organization to provide indigent criminal defense services in approximately 35% of the adult felony cases arising in Michigan's Third Judicial Circuit Court. One non-profit corporation will be selected through the County's "RFP" process to create a PDO which is devoted entirely to providing the best possible representation to clients.
The intent of Wayne County is to continue to fund a model program that incorporates nationally recognized best practices for criminal defense, while operating in a cost-effective manner. The PDO will be funded by the County and annual state grant awards from the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission. Approximately 5,600 cases will be assigned to the Public Defender Office each year, including capital and non-capital cases, interlocutory appeals, witness and uncharged individuals’ representation in lineups, house counsel duty, trials and other matters where testimony is taken (e.g., investigative subpoenas), violations of probation, extraditions, and felony non-support and welfare fraud cases. An anticipated operational budget of approximately $14,000,000 will support approximately 100 employees, with competitive salaries and benefits.
