Six Trial Court Seats are cut in SCAO Recommendations

The 2015 Judicial Resources Recommendations report released Thursday suggests the cutting of nine trial court judge seats and the creation of three others throughout the state. According to the report, created by the State Court Administrative Office, the cuts would also include the loss of district court seats in Detroit, Oakland County, Baraga County, Houghton County, Keweenaw County, Berrien County, and Delta County. Five of the lost seats would come from Detroit’s 36^th District Court and Oakland County’s 52^nd District Court, while all the other aforementioned counties would see a loss of 1 judge a piece.

The counties of Monroe, St. Clair, Saginaw, and Ingham were all mentioned as districts that should lose a probate judge seat. The addition of seats would come in Royal Oak’s 44^th District Court, Macomb County’s Circuit Court, and Oakland County’s 6^th Circuit and Probate Court. In order for these changes to occur the legislature would have to pass a law to implement the suggested cuts and additions.

The report uses a specific formula, involving caseloads in each district, to determine where judges are most needed and where any elimination should take place. The reports released in 2011 and 2013 both saw legislative action, leading to the elimination of 45 judgeships. According to the State Court Administration Office with the 2011, 2013, and 2015 recommendations all fully implemented the state would save an estimated $7.4 million. Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Young Jr. said that the court system is ready to work with the Senate and House as they review the recommendations.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, July 17, 2015 10:23 AM
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