New public defenders office in Alpena will help the disadvantaged

ALPENA, Mich. – A new law office is set to represent people in Alpena and Montmorency.

A of July 2 the Northeast Michigan Regional Defenders Office has been busy preparing to help people in the region.

The practice is led by former Presque Isle Prosecutor Rick Stieger as Chief Public Defender and Alpena native Julie Miller as Chief Deputy Defender.

Attorneys at the office said they’ll provide an equal legal playing field in opposition the Prosecutors office.

They said there’s a history of underfunded programs.

“Michigan unfortunately, they put the burden on the county to represent people wo cannot afford an attorney,” said Chief Defender Rick Stieger. “ A lot of smaller counties such as Alpena and Montmorency and other counties in northern Michigan and some downstate just don’t have the funds to properly allow the attorney staff and the same resources as a prosecutor.”

Stieger said the public defender’s office will represent clients on a wide range of charges who cannot afford an attorney.