The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) has recently announced that Kristen Staley will be the organization’s next Executive Director.
“Kristen’s life’s work has been about promoting justice and due process,” said Presiding Officer Christine Green. “Kristen has shown remarkable patience and vision in her role as a Regional Manager for MIDC, and these qualities will serve her well as Executive Director. Her knowledge of how all the components of the criminal justice system fit together will help guide the Commission’s important work moving forward. She has demonstrated an ability to build strong relationships with all partners in the criminal justice system across all levels of government.”
Ms. Staley previously served the MIDC as its South-Central Michigan Regional Manager, where she oversaw the compliance of MIDC standards and development of best practices in public defense among twelve counties. Prior to joining the MIDC, Kristen was the Deputy Director of the Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing effective policies and practices within the adult and youth justice systems.
Kristen is Co-Director of the Midwest Juvenile Defender Center and a member of the National Juvenile Defender Center’s national advisory board. She also worked as a legal advocate in the Vermont Legal Aid’s Health Care Ombudsman Office, was an appellate clerk with the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy’s Juvenile Post-Disposition Unit and is an experienced facilitator of restorative justice panels. Kristen received her B.A. from American University and J.D. from the University of Louisville, Brandeis School of Law.
The MIDC selected Ms. Staley to fill the role of Executive Director after an application and interview process that began last July when former Executive Director Loren Khogali stepped down. The Commission interviewed six candidates for the position at a public meeting in late October and announced its selection at a public meeting on November 22, 2021. More information about the MIDC is available on the MIDC website.
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