Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
See Schedule O.
- Income
- $747,701
- Spending
- $560,776
- Spent on programs
- 59%
- Reserves
- 19 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 81%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $77,400, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 19.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1559% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 68 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2523 of 23 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $201,115 spent. CDAM is comprised of attorneys who practice criminal defense in the State of Michigan and assists those attorneys who represent the accused. Comprehensive training through conferences and legal seminars are held 20-25 times a year, and legal updates are provided regularly through membership communications initiatives. Networking and socializing opportunities help facilitate and strengthen peer support.
- $91,025 spent. The Trial Practice College is a five-day training program for criminal defense attorneys to learn practical trial experience from seasoned veterans and to promote zealous defense advocacy. The program is geared to change methods and style of practice, and also enhance each participants outlook on clients, career, and life. Participants learn from nationally recognized trial lawyers at each stage of trial preparation and apply what they have learned in daily small group training sessions. Students will engage in individual performances and receive direct feedback and analysis under the guidance of workshop faculty. Course materials involve a criminal trial with relevant discovery, pleadings, and exhibits. Participants will receive materials in advance, but will prepare for each phase of the trial in the evenings, after lectures. Participants are encouraged to bring real cases of their own to develop during the trial. The experience of these types of training colleges cannot be underestimated. Spending a week in small groups and preparing during the evenings for the next day's program with others offers invaluable camaraderie and training. To ensure students receive individualized student attention, the college is limited to 40 students.
- $36,000 spent. CDAM monitors legislation that effects the rights of the accused and the defense attorney's ability to protect those rights and provide the accused with a fair trial and adequate defense. In doing so, members can be involved in many levels of the ongoing efforts to ensure that Michigan citizens are treated justly.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1979.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.