Case Name: Kent County Criminal Defense Bar v. Chief Judge Kent Circuit Court, 2/November 1992
Court: Michigan Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Michigan
Decision Date: 1993-08-03
Citations: 443 Mich. 1204
Docket Number: No. 91553
Parties: Kent County Criminal Defense Bar v Chief Judge Kent Circuit Court, 2/November 1992,
Judges: 
Reporter: Michigan Reports
Volume: 443
Pages: 1204–1204

Head Matter:
Complaint for Superintending Control Dismissed August 3, 1993:
Kent County Criminal Defense Bar v Chief Judge Kent Circuit Court, 2/November 1992,
No. 91553.
On January 1, 1993, Kent Circuit Court converted its assigned counsel compensation system from an hourly- rate system to a contract system. For the reasons stated in part iv(B)(2) of this Court’s decision in In re Recorder’s Court Bar Ass’n v Wayne Circuit Court, 443 Mich 110, 132-133 (1993), such a compensation system cannot be found to be unreasonable per se. Any decision on the part of the Supreme Court, regarding the reasonableness of compensation provided under the newly adopted contract system, would be premature absent evidence of attorney compensation actually provided under the system in practice.
This dismissal is without prejudice to the institution of an action by any of the parties to this action or by individuals or entities not parties to this action for a determination of the reasonableness of fees paid in accordance with the newly adopted contract system for the compensation of lawyers representing indigent criminal defendants.
Reconsideration denied October 1, 1993.

Opinion:
Levin, J.
I would grant reconsideration, vacate the order dismissing the plaintiffs complaint, and appoint a special master to conduct hearings and make findings regarding the reasonableness of the Kent County contract fee system, and, upon receipt of the special master's report, would then consider and determine whether the Kent County contract fee system is reasonable and consistent with the Supreme Court's decision in In re Recorder's Court Bar Ass'n v Wayne Circuit Court, 443 Mich 110 (1993).