New Deputy Director appointed for Michigan Campaign for Justice

The Michigan Campaign for Justice has announced that Marcela Westrate will serve as the organization's new Deputy Director. Prior to joining the Campaign, Marcela served as a policy analyst and interim Legal Counsel to the Michigan House Democratic Policy office. "We are thrilled to welcome Marcela to the team and are excited about what her talents will mean in the much-needed and growing effort to reform Michigan's public defense system," said Peter Cunningham, Executive Director of the Campaign for Justice. Before joining the Campaign for Justice, Westrate worked for the Michigan House of Representatives for five years where she advised lawmakers on ethical issues and House procedures, drafted legislation, reviewed and analyzed legislation for members of several committees including the Judiciary Standing Committee and members of the Appropriations Subcommittees on Corrections and Higher Education. A 2003 Magna Cum Laude graduate of the Michigan State University Detroit College of Law, Westrate has also clerked for 54-A District Court Judge Amy Krause. "To uphold every residents' constitutional rights we must fix Michigan's public defense system," said Westrate. "I am grateful for the opportunity and excited to join the Campaign for Justice to reform Michigan's broken system, protect public safety, and ensure every citizen's constitutional rights are upheld." The Michigan Campaign for Justice heads a broad-based coalition of organizations and individuals from across the political spectrum fighting for a fair and effective public defense system in Michigan. The Campaign believes that legislative reform is needed to improve cost effectiveness, protect the public's safety and ensure one's Constitutional right to counsel. More information about the Campaign for Justice is available online at www.michigancampaignforjustice.org. Published: Mon, Jan 16, 2012