Third Circuit Court warns residents of scam about jury duty
The Third Judicial Circuit Court of Wayne County has learned of a telephone scam regarding missed jury duty. The scam artist will call and advise the person that jury duty was missed and a fine of has to be paid immediately or the person will be subject to arrest or an arrest warrant will be issued.
The Third Circuit Court advises jurors:
If you receive a phone call like this, it is not from the Third Judicial Circuit Court or anyone affiliated with the court. Do not respond to this phone call or pay anyone any sum of money. Obtain as much information as you can about the caller and report it to your local police department.
If you missed jury duty in the Third Judicial Circuit Court, you will not receive a phone call requesting money and threatening arrest. You may contact the court if you failed to appear for jury duty. If you were to serve at the Coleman A. Young Center, please call 313-224-5650. If you were to serve at Frank Murphy Hall of Justice, please call 313-224-2507. If you do not call, you may receive a Show Cause Order requiring your presence in court on a specific date to explain why you missed court.
Michigan Indigent Defense Commission releases first report
The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) announced the release of its 2015 Impact Report and the results of the first-ever comprehensive survey of indigent defense in the state.
Survey highlights include:
• Only 6 percent of district courts require attorneys to be present at both the bail hearing and at arraignment, despite the documented importance of legal guidance in these early stages.
• Only 15 percent of indigent defense systems currently report the existence of local guidelines requiring participation in Continuing Legal Education courses.
• Despite the critical role of confidential meeting space in legal representation, 9 percent of indigent defense systems in Michigan report that neither the courthouse nor the holding facility have private space for attorney-client meetings.
“These survey results reinforce the need for uniform public defense standards in our state,” said MIDC Executive Director Jonathan Sacks.
The MIDC’s initial set of standards would address some of the major problems Michigan faces in the delivery of adequate indigent defense systems: training and education of counsel, the initial client interview, use of investigation and experts, and counsel at first appearance and other critical stages.
The entire survey report is available on the MIDC’s website: http://michiganidc.gov/policies-and-reports/#tab-id-5. The 2015 Impact Report is also on the website: http://michiganidc.gov/policies-and-reports/#tab-id-2michiganidc.gov/policies-and-reports/#tab-id-2.
The MIDC is housed within the judicial branch of state government. Its members are appointed by the governor with recommendation of the Legislature, Supreme Court, the State Bar, and representing interests from the criminal justice system.
See the MIDC’s website for additional information: www.michiganidc.gov.
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