April 02, 2015
Thursday, April 2, 2015
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the reappointments of Jon Campbell, of Otsego, Kevin Oeffner, of Howell, and David Schuringa, of Allegan, to the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission.
The commission was created as a result of efforts to improve legal representation for low-income criminal defendants. In October 2011, Snyder issued Executive Order 2011-12, establishing the initial Indigent Defense Advisory Commission, responsible for recommending improvements to the state’s legal system. These recommendations served as the basis for legislation to address this need as well as called for the 15-member Indigent Defense Commission that the governor signed into law in July 2013.
“A key principle of the judicial system is that every citizen has a right to competent legal counsel,” Snyder said. “I am confident these appointees will continue to serve our state well as they work toward the next steps in ensuring all Michiganders have the judicial representation they deserve.”
Campbell is a county commissioner for Allegan County. He also serves on the Community Mental Health Board, the Lakeshore Coordinating Council Substance Abuse Services Board, the State of Michigan 911 Committee, and on the Michigan Association of Counties Board of Directors. He was previously a police officer in Otsego. Campbell earned an associate degree in criminal justice from Kalamazoo Valley Community College, a professional certificate in law enforcement administration from Northwestern University School of Police Staff & Command, a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Siena Heights University, and a master’s degree in organizational management from Spring Arbor University. He continues to represent local units of government.
Oeffner is the administrator of the 6th Judicial Circuit Court. He previously served as the deputy court administrator of the 6th Judicial Circuit Court, the chief of program evaluation for the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, and as a program evaluation analyst for the Ingham County Controller’s Office. Oeffner earned a bachelor’s degree in political science, a master’s degree in public administration, and a master’s degree in business administration and finance, all from Michigan State University. He continues to represent members submitted by the chief justice of the Supreme Court.
Schuringa is president of Crossroad Bible Institute. He has served in numerous roles as an ordained minister, most recently as senior pastor of Bethany Christian Reformed Church. He leads an educational agency with 45,000 inmates participating and just completed service on the Michigan Campaign for Justice. Schuringa earned a bachelor’s degree in Theology and Greek from Trinity Christian College, a master of divinity in Ministerial Studies from Westminster Theological Seminary, a master of theology in homiletics-communications and practical theology from Calvin Theological Seminary, and a doctorate in homiletics-communications and practical theology from Theologische Universiteit te Kampen in the Netherlands. He continues to represent the general public.
Appointees will serve four-year terms expiring April 1, 2019. Their appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
###
