Marquette Prison Warden v. Meadows

The primary issue in this case can be simply stated: May a lay person who is appointed a minor’s next friend act as the minor’s attorney in a judicial proceeding?

Facts relevant to this appeal are that Katherine Anderson filed a complaint for mandamus alleging that her civil rights were violated. Although she appeared in propria persona, her husband, who is an inmate of the Marquette State Penitentiary, provided assistance for her.

Mr. Anderson subsequently sought the assistance of fellow inmate Charles Meadows, the defendant herein. Defendant, in accordance with Mr. Anderson’s requests, filed…