HB 4953 Summary

• Changes the definition of "adult" under the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission Act from age 17 to age 18 as the baseline threshold for adult criminal prosecution.

• Allows individuals under 18 years old to be considered adults for purposes of indigent defense services when prosecuted for felonies under four specific juvenile court procedures: waiver of jurisdiction petitions, prosecutorial designations, court designations, and direct charging under specified juvenile violations.

• Defines "effective assistance of counsel" as legal representation compliant with standards established by Michigan appellate courts and the United States Supreme Court.

• Contains a contingency clause: the bill takes effect October 1, 2018, only if companion bills HB 4947, HB 4948, HB 4949, HB 4950, HB 4951, HB 4952, and HB 4954 are all enacted into law.