Shelby Township 2nd Chair Program

The Shelby Township 2^nd Chair Program is a great opportunity to get hands-on experience while getting paid! 

The 2^nd Chair Program in the 41A-2 District Court, Shelby Township, has been around for several years.  It pairs a 2^nd Chair attorney who may need District Court experience with a more experienced attorney handling a misdemeanor docket. 

Here’s how it works.  On a pre-arranged morning or afternoon a Docket attorney is assigned to cases scheduled on the Court’s Docket.  The 2^nd Chair attorney will also be assigned to one of these morning or afternoon dockets.  The 2^nd Chair will act as co-counsel under the direction of the Docket Attorney.  The 2^nd Chair will participate in one or more of the following ways:

• Observe the Docket Attorney.
• Observe/Participate in client conferences.
• Observe/Participate in negotiations for resolution.
• Observe/Participate in placing dispositions/adjournments on the record.

The 2^nd Chair attorney will be paid at the current misdemeanor rate in effect at the time the attorney serves as 2^nd Chair.  Second Chair attorneys are eligible to be paid for up to 2 hours per shift and up to a maximum of two shifts.  All 2^nd Chair invoices must be accompanied by written confirmation of 2nd Chair approval and include the approved times/dates.

This is a great way to help get qualified to be a Roster Attorney in one of the Macomb County District Court systems.  The requirements to become a misdemeanor (Level D) Roster Attorney are:

• General Requirements
  • Attorney member in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan.
  • Maintain a confidential meeting place in Macomb County where client meetings can take place.
  • Complete Basic Skills Training (for attorneys with less than 2 years criminal defense experience).
• Specific Experience
  • Satisfy one or both of the following:
    • Serve as co-counsel or second chair in a prior trial.
    • Equivalent experience as primary attorney or 2^nd Chair at misdemeanor arraignments, pre-trials, pleas and/or sentencing.
  • Ability to demonstrate competent legal representation skills.

To become a 2^nd Chair attorney or to learn more, contact the Macomb County Office of Public Defender at 586-466-8311.