Senator Schenck reintroduces bill to guarantee legal counsel for minors in criminal cases

Senator Schenck formally reintroduced legislation on the Senate floor intended to guarantee legal representation for indigent minors accused in criminal proceedings, arguing that the state must ensure children do not navigate the justice system without counsel.

“Every American is guaranteed the right to legal representation in criminal cases. Yet, here in Michigan, that fundamental right is not functionally guaranteed to all minors,” Senator Schenck said in floor remarks he asked to be printed in the journal. He described the bill as a measure to “enshrine that right for Michigan’s indigent youth.”

Schenck told colleagues that minors often face the legal system without family resources or an attorney and said the proposed statute would give young people access to counsel to help ensure fairer outcomes. He said similar legislation passed both chambers with “overwhelming bipartisan support” last year and described the reintroduction as a continuation of that work.

The Senate recorded that Schenck’s remarks would be printed in the journal “without objection.” No committee or referral action on the reintroduced measure was read on the floor during the remarks, and no roll-call vote occurred during this statement.

Senator Schenck's remarks were delivered during a floor statement period; the Senate then proceeded with other calendar business. The bill text and committee referral were not included in the floor statement recorded in the public transcript, so additional procedural steps (committee assignment, hearing dates) were not specified during the session.