COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County Commissioners gave formal approval Tuesday to an Indigent Defense Compliance Plan for the county.
The Michigan Indigent Defense Council is requiring that every county in Michigan submit a plan to the state by next Monday.
County Administrator Bud Norman says part of the annex would be renovated to accommodate a public defender and a deputy defender.
Chris Denney from the M.I.D.C. said last Thursday the state is required to continually fund the program due to a lawsuit but he added state lawmakers could change that.
While Commissioner Don Vrablic voted last Thursday not to bring it forward to Tuesday’s meeting, Commissioner Terri Norris pointed out during the work session the plan will not cost the county any additional money when it comes to indigent defense.
The cost of the total system is estimated to be about $693,600. The annual local share would be over $151,000.
