LANSING — Michigan’s law public defense system is often cited as one of the worst in the country according to a Michigan Public Radio report, but a state commission is now working to give those accused of a crime access to adequate legal defense. 

The state currently allows each county to be in charge of its own system of public defense. There are also no training standards for public defense lawyers. 

The commission has learned that many complain that public defenders have to take too many cases in order to make a living. Governor Rick Snyder has given the commission until July of next year to come up with new recommendations for system changes in the state.