Michigan Indigent Defense


The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) was created by legislation (PA 93) in 2013 after an advisory commission recommended improvements to the state's legal system. The goal is to ensure the state’s public defense system is fair, cost-effective, and constitutional while simultaneously protecting public safety and accountability.

The MIDC is required to publish minimum standards that are meant to ensure indigent criminal defendants are receiving effective assistance of counsel in every Michigan County.  

Antrim County has adopted a compliance plan that requires the County to develop a group of well qualified and experienced criminal defense attorneys who are to provide adequate representation to indigent criminal defendants at every stage of a criminal proceeding in compliance with the MIDC standards.

In 2020, the Antrim County Board of Commissioners contracted with Paul Jarboe, a Traverse City attorney, to serve as Antrim County’s MIDC Attorney Administrator. Mr. Jarboe has the responsibility to maintain compliance with MIDC standards and oversee the group of criminal defense attorneys who represent indigent defendants in the 86th District Court and 13th Circuit Court.

Contact Us

Paul Jarboe, MIDC Attorney Administrator
Jarboe & Pfeil
125 Park Street, Suite 315
Traverse City, MI 49686
Phone: (231)922-3452
Email: pjarboe@jarboelawtc.com