Michigan Indigent Defense Commission

To bolster the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission's (MIDC) expansion to establish juvenile justice standards and trainings, the applicant will create a statewide youth defender trial simulation program that will offer mock trial and specialized immersive learning experiences for the state youth defense attorneys. This will serve two goals: (1) prepare local juvenile defense systems for meeting MIDC standards by employing qualified and trained attorneys; and (2) build partnerships and develop best practices among Michigan’s youth defense community. This multiyear training program led by the MIDC will be available to attorneys statewide and will work in three phases: (1) identification and assessment of gaps in trial-level youth defender quality and experience, (2) curricula and material development, and (3) training implementation.