Investigator and Expert Program Leader

Wayne County's Indigent Defense Services Department is developing a staff of dedicated professionals who are committed to excellence in criminal defense representation at the trial court level and equal access to justice. IDSD is state-funded through annual grants from the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC). IDSD manages the indigent defense system in Wayne County's Third Circuit Court, Michigan's largest trial court handling all assignments of counsel in felony cases that originate in the county's numerous district courts.

12,000 to 15,000 felony cases are handled annually by approximately 250 qualified defense attorneys (which includes private managed assigned counsel and the defender office) who utilize the Investigator and Expert Program.

Reporting to the IDSD Assigned Counsel Administrator, the Investigator and Expert Program Leader will manage access to MIDC funding for investigators and experts by criminal defense counsel handling felony cases in the Third Judicial Circuit. Nearly 95% of all cases are eligible for the services following appointment of counsel, who are encouraged to start immediately following district court arraignments on the warrant. The Program places approval of investigator and expert service in the hands of the Investigator and Expert Program Leaders, themselves experienced criminal attorneys. The Investigator and Expert Program Leader will consult with assigned counsel on needs of individual cases, provide resources enabling counsel's selection of particular investigators and experts, and approve use and payment according to a schedule of fees. Investigators and experts are available for all cases if the accused is indigent. Requests for services and any discussion taking place between counsel and the Investigator and Expert Program Leader is privileged and protected from disclosure except in anonymous summary form.

• Consulting directly with assigned counsel on needs for investigation or expert services in individual cases, through in-person contact, email, and phone.
• Communicating directly with investigators and experts, as needed, on continuing needs and completion of services throughout the case, and payment after services have been rendered.
• Preparing reports and recommendations on use of Program services.
• Training assigned counsel on the use of investigators and experts, and collaborating with others to provide training.
• Voting member of attorney assignment committee which includes monitoring attorney compliance with MIDC Standard 3 and IDSD policies.

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a criminal defense attorney.
• Preferred:
• Prior work in a role supporting assigned criminal defense counsel.