Kalamazoo County commissioners have delayed a vote on a study to see if the County's program providing legal counsel to poor defendants in Circuit Court is up to standards. Officials told commissioners this week that could cost up to $50,000.

Commissioners put the idea on hold while they try to arrange a presentation by the author of a recent report by the National Legal Aid and Defender Association. It said Michigan violates the U.S. Constitution by failing to provide competent legal representation to criminal defendants who can't afford a lawyer. That study did not include Kalamazoo County.

County commissioners say they may vote on whether or not to pay for a local study at their next meeting if the expert can't brief them on the issue. © Copyright 2009, wmuk