Why an eviction defense program creating trust in Detroit's legal system may not exist next year

For about three years, Detroit's Right to Counsel program has given free legal representation to low-income tenants facing eviction. The share of tenants who walk in with a lawyer has gone from almost none to nearly all. But the program is running low on money, and its future depends on the state, the federal government, or philanthropy to step in. What happens to tenants — and to the court itself — if it disappears?

William McConico is the Chief Judge of Detroit's 36th District Court. He spoke about why he's hoping to keep the program with The Metro's Robyn Vincent.

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