third Judicial Circuit of michigan - 3rdcc.orgDocuments\Administration\General... · Virgil C....

$Page 1: third Judicial Circuit of michigan - 3rdcc.orgDocuments\Administration\General... · Virgil C. Smith, Jr. (Presiding-Family Division-Juvenile), Robert J. Colombo, Jr., David A. Groner,$
third Judicial Circuitof michigan

2005 ANNUAL REPORT

ColemanA.YoungMunicipalCenter LincolnHallofJustice 2WoodwardAvenue 1025E.ForestAvenue Detroit,MI48226 Detroit,MI48207

FrankMurphyHallofJustice PenobscotBuilding 1441St.Antoine 645Griswold Detroit,MI48226 Detroit,MI48226

MediationTribunalAssociation 333W.FortStreet Detroit,MI48226

MaryBethKellyChiefJudge

BernardJ.KostExecutiveCourtAdministrator

KelliD.MooreDeputyCourtAdministrator

2005 Annual Report Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan

April28,2006

HonorableMaryBethKellyChiefJudgeThirdJudicialCircuitofMichigan701ColemanA.YoungMunicipalCenterDetroit,Michigan48226

DearJudgeKelly:

WiththisletterIampleasedtotransmitthe2005AnnualReportoftheThirdCircuitCourtforyourreview.Thisreportincludesabriefnarrative,acompilationofsummarystatistics,andanoverviewoftheCourt’sprincipalactivitiesandprogramsin2005.Iwouldliketohighlighttwoimportantaccomplishmentsin2005:

•theAugusttransitionofentranceandperimetersecurityatFrankMurphyHallofJusticefroma privateprovidertotheWayneCountySheriff,and

•thesuccessfulmigrationofguardianshipcasestotheCourt’snewcasemanagementsystem.

Inthefirstinstance,thepresenceofuniformedlawenforcementofficershasclearlycreatedamoresecurecourthousefacility.Inthesecondinstance,themigrationofguardianshipcasesrepresentsanimportantfirststepinthemulti-yearprojecttoconverttheCourt’sthreelegacysystemstoasinglestate-of-the-artsystemby2008.

ThisAnnualReportdocumentsmanynoteworthyaccomplishmentsofthejudgesandemployeeslastyear.Pleasejoinmeincommendingthemfortheirdedicationtoservingthepublic.

Sincerely,

BernardJ.Kost ExecutiveCourtAdministrator

THE THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUITOF MICHIGAN

711 Coleman A. Young Municipal CenterDetroit, Michigan 48226-3413

BERNARD J. KOSTExecutive Court Administrator

(313) 224-5261FAX (313) 224-6070

Email: [email protected]


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ThirdCircuitCourtJudges

ThirdCircuitCourtBenchPhotograph

JudgeNeilsonDedication

OrganizationChart

JudgesElectedorAppointedtotheBenchin2005

JudgesRetiredfromtheBenchin2005

2005Highlights

FinancialInformation

CaseloadTrends

CourtDivisionsandStatistics

CourtAdministration

CourtDepartmentsandPrograms

CourtManagers/Acknowledgments

Table of Contents


DavidJ.AllenAnnetteJ.BerryGregoryDeanBillUlyssesW.BoykinMargieR.BraxtonJamesR.ChylinskiSeanF.CoxMaggieW.Drake

PrentisEdwardsVondaR.EvansPatriciaS.FresardDavidA.GronerCynthiaGrayHathawayDianeMarieHathawayMichaelHathawayThomasE.JacksonVeraMasseyJones

TimothyM.KennyWadeHarperMcCreeBruceU.MorrowDanielP.RyanCraigS.StrongBrianR.Sullivan,Jr.DeborahA.ThomasMaryM.Waterstone

CRIMINALDIVISIONEdwardEwell,Jr.,Presiding

MaryBethKelly,ChiefJudge

CIVILDIVISIONWilliamJ.Giovan,ChiefJudgeProTemporeandPresiding

WendyM.BaxterSusanD.BormanMichaelJamesCallahanRobertJ.Colombo,Jr.DaphneMeansCurtis

GershwinA.DrainJohnH.Gillis,Jr.KathleenMacdonaldWarfieldMoore,Jr.JohnA.Murphy

MichaelF.SapalaCynthiaD.StephensEdwardM.ThomasIsidoreTorresRobertL.Ziolkowski

FAMILYDIVISION-DOMESTICRELATIONSLitaM.Popke,Presiding

HelenE.BrownBillCallahanWilliamLeoCahalanCharleneM.Elder

RichardB.Halloran,Jr.AmyP.HathawayArthurJ.LombardKathleenM.McCarthy

MariaL.OxholmRichardM.SkuttJeanneStempienCaroleF.Youngblood

FAMILYDIVISION-JUVENILEVirgilC.Smith,Jr.,Presiding

MeganMaherBrennanJamesA.CallahanChristopherD.DingellSheilaAnnGibsonLeslieKimSmith

JudgesofProbateJudyA.HartsfieldJamesE.Lacey

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JudgesoftheThirdJudicialCircuitofMichigan2005

Bottomrowfromlefttoright:AmyP.Hathaway,MaryM.Waterstone,MariaL.Oxholm,JohnA.Murphy,SheilaAnnGibson,SusanD.Borman,CaroleYoungblood,DaphneMeansCurtis,PatriciaS.Fresard,MaryBethKelly(ChiefJudge),DianeMarieHathaway,KathleenM.McCarthy,VeraMasseyJones,AnnetteJ.Berry,JeanneStempien,BrianR.Sullivan,JudyHartsfield,andCharleneElder.

Middlerowfromlefttoright:MeganMaherBrennan,VondaR.Evans,WendyM.Baxter,WilliamJ.Giovan(ChiefJudgeProTemandPresiding-CivilDivision),CynthiaD.Stephens,ThomasE.Jackson,RobertL.Ziolkowski,ChristopherD.Dingell,BruceU.Morrow,RichardB.Halloran,Jr.,JamesR.Chylinski,WarfieldMoore,Jr.,TimothyM.Kenny,BillCallahan,JohnH.Gillis,Jr.,andRichardM.Skutt.

Toprowfromlefttoright:CraigS.Strong,MichaelF.Sapala,IsidoreTorres,PrentisEdwards,JamesA.Callahan,MichaelHathaway,LitaM.Popke(Presiding-FamilyDivision-DomesticRelations),DeborahA.Thomas,UlyssesBoykin,EdwardEwell,Jr.(Presiding-CriminalDivision),GregoryDeanBill,WadeH.McCree,VirgilC.Smith,Jr.(Presiding-FamilyDivision-Juvenile),RobertJ.Colombo,Jr.,DavidA.Groner,SeanF.Cox,DavidJ.Allen,andKathleenMacdonald.

NotPictured:MargieR.Braxton,HelenE.Brown,WilliamLeoCahalan,MichaelJ.Callahan,GershwinA.Drain,MaggieW.Drake,CynthiaGrayHathaway,JamesE.Lacey,ArthurJ.Lombard,DanielP.Ryan,LeslieKimSmith,andEdwardM.Thomas.

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ASpecialDedicationtotheHonorableSusanBiekeNeilson

1956-2005

Judge Susan Bieke Neilson, who served on the Third Judicial Circuit Bench for 14 years, lost her life to cancer on January 25, 2006 at the age of 50. She is survived by her husband, Jeff and her two daughters, Lizzie and Mary.

Born in Ann Arbor on August 27, 1956, Judge Neilson was a life-long resident of Michigan. She received her bachelor’s degree in 1977 from the honors college at the University of Michigan, and her J.D. in 1980 from Wayne State University. From 1980 until 1991, Judge Neilson practiced law, first as an associate and later as a partner, with the prestigious Detroit firm of Dickinson, Wright, Moon, VanDusen & Freeman. She specialized in products liability claims, medical malpractice claims, and commercial litigation.

After Judge Neilson’s initial appointment to the Third Judicial Circuit by Governor John Engler on July 15, 1991, she was re-elected three times. Having significant experience on Michigan’s largest state trial court bench, serving in both the civil and criminal divisions, Judge Neilson resigned from the Third Judicial Circuit on November 16, 2005, and was appointed by President George W. Bush to the U.S. Court of Appeals.

Judge Neilson wrote numerous articles and was co-editor and author of Michigan Civil Procedure, a two-volume treatise on all areas of Michigan civil practice. The Michigan Judicial Institute selected the treatise to purchase for every trial court judge in the state.

Judge Neilson’s dedication to the improvement of the law, in addition to her commitment to the highest ethical standards, will long be remembered.3

Executive Court

AdministratorBernard J. Kost

Circuit Court Judges

Chief Judge

Mary Beth Kelly

JudicialAssistant

Gregory Kocab

Friend of the

Court

Joseph Schewe

Chief Financial

O�cer

Therese Lisowski

Director of

ITSB

Jerome Wysocki

Deputy Court

Administrator

Kelli D. Moore

Director ofHuman

ResourcesPamela E. Gri�n

Director of

Buildings &Facilities

Manag ementTheresa Plotzke

Director ofClinic for

Child StudyJoseph Avore

Director ofCase ProcessingJerome Fekin

Director ofAssigned CounselLeonard Branka

Director ofAncillary

Court Services

Sidney McBride

Chief Court ReporterDebra McGinnis

Director ofJuvenile

Administration

Executive Director

of MTA

Lisa Timmons

PublicCommunications

Elizabeth Shumate

Johanna O’Grady-Ward

Coordinator

THIRDJUDICIALCIRCUITOFMICHIGANORGANIZATIONCHART

OrganizationChart

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Executive Court

AdministratorBernard J. Kost

Circuit Court Judges

Chief Judge

Mary Beth Kelly

JudicialAssistant

Gregory Kocab

Friend of the

Court

Joseph Schewe

Chief Financial

O�cer

Therese Lisowski

Director of

ITSB

Jerome Wysocki

Deputy Court

Administrator

Kelli D. Moore

Director ofHuman

ResourcesPamela E. Gri�n

Director of

Buildings &Facilities

Manag ementTheresa Plotzke

Director ofClinic for

Child StudyJoseph Avore

Director ofCase ProcessingJerome Fekin

Director ofAssigned CounselLeonard Branka

Director ofAncillary

Court Services

Sidney McBride

Chief Court ReporterDebra McGinnis

Director ofJuvenile

Administration

Executive Director

of MTA

Lisa Timmons

PublicCommunications

Elizabeth Shumate

Johanna O’Grady-Ward

Coordinator

JudgesElectedorAppointedtotheBenchin2005

MeganMaherBrennan

MeganMaherBrennanwasappointedtotheThirdJudicialCircuitbyGovernorJenniferM.GranholminDecember2005.JudgeBrennanwasassignedtotheJuvenileSectionoftheFamilyDivision.Priortothisappointment,JudgeBrennanhadserved,since2003,asanAssistantAttorneyGeneralintheLaborDivisionoftheMichiganDepartmentofAttorneyGeneral.Beforemovingtopublicpractice,JudgeBrennanenjoyedaprivatepracticefocusingonemploymentandbusinesslawandwasalsoemployedasalitigationattorneywithBodmanLongley,LLPfrom1989to1994.JudgeBrennanservedaslawclerkforthelateChiefJusticeDorothyComstockRileyoftheMichiganSupremeCourtfrom1987to1989.JudgeBrennangraduatedfromMichiganStateUniversity(B.A.1983)andWayneStateUniversityLawSchool(J.D.1987).SheisinvolvedinseveralcommunityandprofessionalorganizationsandhasbeenanadjunctlawprofessorinthegraduatebusinessschoolatMadonnaUniversity.

JamesA.Callahan

JudgeJamesA.CallahanwaselectedtotheThirdJudicialCircuitinNovember2004,afterpracticingasatrialattorneyingeneralcivilandcriminalmattersfor33years.InJanuary2005,hewasassignedtotheJuvenileSectionoftheFamilyDivision.JudgeCallahanisamemberoftheBarAssociationsinMichigan,Illinois,andFlorida.JudgeCallahanwastheAssistantJudgeAdvocatefortheStateofMichiganwiththeAmericanLegion,havingservedintheUnitedStatesNavyfrom1959until1965,andwasamemberoftheMichiganBarRepresentativeAssemblyfrom1981until1987.

CharleneM.Elder

CharleneM.ElderwasappointedtotheThirdJudicialCircuitbyGovernorJenniferM.GranholminDecember2005.JudgeElderwasassignedtotheDomesticRelationsSectionoftheFamilyDivision.Priortothisappointment,JudgeElderhadserved,since2003,asamagistrateinthe19thDistrictCourthandlingtrafficoffenses,smallclaimsandreviewingpolicesearchwarrantsincriminalinvestigations.JudgeElderalsoservedasaprivatepractitionerspecializinginconsumerprotectionlaw,commercialtransactions,andgenerallitigation.JudgeEldergraduatedfromUniversityofMichigan(B.A.1991)andtheDetroitCollegeofLawin(J.D.1995).

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JudgesRetiredfromtheBenchin2005

LouisF.Simmons

JudgeLouisF.SimmonsretiredonJanuary1,2005after22yearsasamemberoftheBench.JudgeSimmonswasappointedbyGovernorJamesA.BlanchardonMay6,1983.JudgeSimmonswasaPhaseIIIndividualCalendarJudgeandservedintheCivilDivisionuntilhisretirement.

LeonardTownsend

JudgeLeonardTownsendretiredonJanuary1,2005after26yearsasamemberoftheBench.GovernorWilliamG.MillikenappointedJudgeTownsendtotheRecorder’sCourtBenchonJanuary1,1979.DuringhistenurewiththeCourt,JudgeTownsendservedintheCriminalDivision.

EdwardM.Thomas

JudgeEdwardM.ThomasretiredonOctober17,2005after27yearsasamemberoftheBench.JudgeThomas,originallyelectedtotheRecorder’sCourtinNovember,1978,waslaterappointedbyGovernorJamesA.BlanchardonMarch22,1990totheThirdJudicialCircuit.JudgeThomasservedintheCriminalandCivilDivisionsduringhistenurewiththeCourt.JudgeThomasalsoservedontheCourt’sDocketReviewCommittee.InOctober2005,CountyExecutiveRobertA.FicanoappointedJudgeThomasasWayneCountyCorporationCounsel.

PatriciaCampbell

JudgePatriciaCampbellretiredonJanuary1,2005after14yearsasamemberoftheWayneCountyProbateBench.FromOctober1,1997untilherretirementin2005,JudgeCampbellwascross-assignedasaThirdCircuitCourtJudgeandservedintheFamilyDivision-JuvenileSection.

SusanBiekeNeilson

JudgeSusanBiekeNeilsonretiredonNovember15,2005after14yearsasamemberoftheBench.GovernorJohnEnglerappointedJudgeNeilsononJuly15,1991.DuringJudgeNeilson’stenuresheservedinboththeCivilandCriminalDivisions.JudgeNeilsonwasamemberoftheStateBarStandardJuryInstructionsCommitteeandservedontheCourt’sDocketReviewCommittee.

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2005Highlights

JanuaryNewSystemForAssignedCounselintheFamilyDivision-JuvenileSection

TheOfficeofAssignedCounselServicesinstitutedanewadministrativeprocessfortheselectionofattorneystorepresentindigentpartiesappearingbeforetheJuvenileSectionoftheFamilyDivision.Itincludedtheimplementationofaweb-basedcomputerprogramthatmaintainsalistofqualifiedattorneys.TheprogramselectstheappropriatenumberofattorneystoserveasassignedcounseleachmonthbasedupontheCourt’sscheduleforthatmonth.Selectionsforassignmentaredoneautomaticallytoensurethatallqualifiedattorneysreceiveequalopportunitiesforserviceasassignedcounsel.Attorneysselectedforappointmentarenotifiedprogrammaticallybye-mailandindicatetheiracceptanceorrejectionoftheassignmentbyreturne-mail.ThenewassignedcounselprocessrepresentsasignificantstepforwardfortheJuvenileSectionbyimprovingadministrativeefficiencyandcreatingfairnessandimpartialityintheattorneyselectionprocess.

FebruaryFriendoftheCourtCaseEstablishmentProcessImprovements

ProvidingefficientandeffectiveservicetothepublicisanongoingobjectiveofThirdCircuitCourt.ThisgoalhasbeenparticularlychallengingintheCaseEstablishmentDepartmentoftheFriendoftheCourtwherepaternity,familysupportandinterstatecasesareinitiatedandfinalized.Duetolimitedstaffingandacumbersomestatewidecomputersystem,thetimestandardsforcasecompletionwerenotbeingmet.This,inturn,washavingadirectimpactonincentivefundingforFriendoftheCourtoperations.

AworkgroupchairedbyDorisRyans,AssistantFriendoftheCourt,wasformedinFebruaryforthepurposeofincreasingworkproductivityanddecreasingbacklogsinthisvitalarea.Theteamevaluateddepartmentalprocessesandjobclassificationstodeterminewhereimprovementscouldbemadewithoutincreasingstaff.Ultimately,CaseEstablishment’sentireworkflowfromcaseinitiationtoentryofthefinalorderwasreengineered.Staffassignmentsandtaskswererestructuredsothatallclericalstaffwouldbecross-trainedtobecomefamiliarwitheachstepoftheprocess.Thisallowedforachangeinworkmethodologybyhavingallclericalstaffperformtheassignedtaskforthatday.Also,clericalstaffbeganpre-screeningfilesfordemographicandothercaserelatedinformation,somethingpreviouslydonebydomesticrelationsspecialistswhileinterviewingtheparties.Thischangefreedupmoretimeforadditionalinterviewstobeconducted.Ininterstatecases,themailingofpre-interviewquestionnairestoplaintiffsreducedinterviewtimebyoverone-half.

Thedevelopmentofmanagementtoolsandreportshasalsoledtomoreeffectivedocketschedulingandmonitoring.Forexample,thedailyinterviewscheduleandshow-upratesarereviewedeachweektorealisticallyadjusttimes,datesandnumberofinterviewsforfuturedockets.Otherreportshelptrackcases,suchasthoseinvolvinginventorytimestandardsorcasestatus(whetherfinal,incomplete,ornonextaction).Theperformanceoftheserviceofprocesscontractorisnowcloselymonitoredforcomplianceandtimelyreturnofdocuments.

Inmid-October,acoordinatedeffortwasimplementedtoeliminatethebacklogofcasesstillpendingbeyondthesix-monthtimestandard.Businesshourswereextendedto6:00p.m.forfourdaysaweekandthreeSaturdayswerescheduledforadditionalovertimeaswell.Bytheendoftheyear,thenumberofcasespendingbeyondthetimestandardwasreducedby36%.Theexpectationistoeliminatethisdocketbacklogin2006.Therestructuringhasalsodrasticallyreducedtheaveragetimetoschedulecases.InJanuary2005,theaveragetimeforfamilysupportcasestobescheduledforahearingwaseightmonthsandpaternitycasesthreemonths.Bothfamilyandpaternitycasesarenowscheduledimmediately.7

2005Highlights

2005Highlights

May

LawDay

FormerPresidentDwightD.EisenhowerissuedaproclamationdesignatingMay1stasLawDayUSAin1958.Thepresidentialproclamationstressedtheimportanceoflawasthevehicleforthepreservationoflibertyandindividualrights.Nowinits47thyear,LawDayservesnotonlyasanopportunityforeveryonetoreflectonthenation’slegalheritageandtheroleoflaw,butalsotorededicatethemselvestotheidealsofequalityandjusticeunderthelaw.

TheThirdCircuitCourtwelcomedWayneCountyProsecutorKymWorthy,WayneCountySheriffWarrenEvans,variouspresentersfromthelegalcommunity,andguestsrepresenting18WayneCountyschoolstoits19thAnnualLawDaycelebration.

Thetheme“TheAmericanJury:WethePeopleinAction”servedasareminderthattrialbyjuryisoneoftherightsAmericansfoughtforinseekingindependence.Thejuryistheembodimentofdemocracy.Juriesaresmallbodiesofordinarymenandwomenentrustedwithdecisionsthatinvolvethelibertiesandpropertyofdefendants.EntrustingjuriestomakedecisionsconfirmsAmerica’sfaithintheabilityofpeopletomakejustandwisedecisions,andthatistheverydefinitionofdemocracy.

April

JuvenileDocketTaskForce

InApril2005,ChiefJudgeMaryBethKellyconvenedataskforcewiththegoalofdevelopinganewdocketmanagementsysteminordertomeettheapplicabletimestandardsofchildprotectiveproceedingcasesfortheFamilyDivision–JuvenileSectionoftheCourt.Membersofthetaskforceincludedjudges,courtmanagement,refereesandrepresentationfromtheMichiganSupremeCourt,theCountyClerk’sOffice,theProsecutingAttorney’sOffice,theAttorneyGeneral’sOffice,andmembersoftheprivatebar.Fourcommitteeswereformedtoidentifybarrierstothetimelydispositionofprotectiveproceedingcases.Themainrecommendationsthatwereapprovedincludedassigningajudgeatthetimethecaseisfiled,creatingblendeddocketsforrefereesthatincludedbothneglectanddelinquencycases,requiringaschedulingorderattheinitiationofthecasetokeepwithinapplicabletimestandards,enhancingtheprocessofserviceprocedures,andthecreationofaJudicialDocketReviewCommitteeinordertosetgoalsandmonitorcompliancewithcaseprocessingtimestandards.ApilotprogramtoimplementblendeddocketsforrefereeswillbegininApril2006.Atthattime,threejudgeteams(eachteamconsistingofonejudgeandtworeferees)willallocate60%oftheirdockettimetoprocessneglectcasesand40%toprocessdelinquencycases.

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August

FrankMurphyHallofJusticeSecurity

TheThirdCircuitCourtandtheWayneCountySheriffreachedanagreementinAugust2005fortheSherifftoassumeresponsibilityforentranceandperimetersecurityattheFrankMurphyHallofJustice.Historically,theSheriffhasbeenresponsibleforcourtroomsecurity,whileaprivatesecurityfirmwasresponsibleforbuildingsecurity.Thepresenceofuniformedlawenforcementofficersatthebuildingentrancehasenhancedboththeperceptionandtherealityofasecuredcourthousefacilityforthejudges,employees,jurorsandvisitorsattheFrankMurphyHallofJustice.

Inanefforttofurtherimprovesecurity,theCourtalsoinstitutedabanoncellphonesatallofitslocationsinSeptember2005.Thebanwasimposedafterseveralinstancesofwitnessesandjurorsbeingphotographedwithcameracellphonesduringcourtproceedings.Cellphoneshadalsobeenusedtotext-messagewitnessesduringcriminaltrials.

2005Highlights

JurorShowCauseHearings

“ShowCause”hearinglettersweremailedto132countyresidentswhofailedtoappearforjurydutyafterbeingsummonedmorethanonceduring2004-2005.EachpersonwasinstructedtopersonallyappearbeforeChiefJudgeProTemWilliamJ.GiovanonSeptember8,2005.

Priortothehearingdate,severalrespondentsappearedforjuryduty.Onthehearingdate,32respondentsappeared.Therespondentswhoappearedwereprovidedanopportunitytoexplainwhytheyhadrepeatedlyfailedtoreportperthejurysummons,andwhytheyshouldnotbepunishedfornotappearingforjuryservice.All32respondentswereissuednewjuryservicedates.Additionally,15personsreceivedmonetaryfinesofupto$100.00.Benchwarrantswereissuedfor41personswhodidnotappearforthescheduledhearing.

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“ThankstoChiefJudgeMaryBethKelly,DeputyCountyExecutiveAzzamElder,andSheriffWarrenEvansforworkingveryhardtocometoanagreement”,statedJudgeSeanCox,ChairoftheFMHJSecurityCommittee.“TheircollaborationallowedtheWayneCountySheriffstobeprimarilyresponsibleforsecurityatFrankMurphyHallofJustice.SincetheSheriff’sDepartmenthastakenoversecurity,FrankMurphyHallofJusticehasbecomeamuchsaferplaceforthepublicandalloftheindividualswhoworkatourcourthouse”.

July

ICLETraining

AttorneyspracticingintheFamilyDivision,bothJuvenileandDomesticSections,wererequiredtoattendmandatorytrainingforthefirsttimeattheInstituteforContinuingLegalEducation(I.C.L.E.),inordertoremainontheCourt’seligibilitylistforassignments.Thetrainingconsistedof,butwasnotlimitedto,thefollowingtopics:Pre-AdjudiciationProcess&WhatItTakestoBeReady,TheAdjudicationProcess-BeingPrepared!,ThePost-DispositionalProcess:WhatYouNeedtoKnow,EthicalResponsibilitiesRepresentingJuveniles,UnderstandingtheAgencies,Deliquency&DependencyAppeals-WhatEveryLawyerShouldKnow,DealingEffectivelywithFelonyNon-SupportAssignments(AnatomyoftheProcess,WhattheCourtExpectsofCounsel,andFriendoftheCourt&FelonyNon-SupportMatters),DealingEffectivelywithPersonalProtectionOrderShowCauseHearings,andDealingEffectivelywithShowCauseProceedings.

2005Highlights

2005Highlights

September

AdultDrugCourtGraduation

TheThirdCircuitAdultDrugCourtProgramhelditsfirstannualgraduationceremonyfor124graduatesonSeptember9,2005,intheauditoriumoftheWayneCountyBuilding.WayneCountyExecutive,RobertA.Ficano,deliveredthekeynoteaddress.Thegraduationceremonyrepresentedtheconclusionofuptotwoyearsofintensivesupervisionanddrugabstinenceforthegraduates.Currentprogramparticipantswerealsoinvitedtoattend.

Successfulgraduationwastheresultofthecollectiveefforts,supportandassistancefromseveralagencies,including: •TheCityofDetroitBureauofSubstanceAbusePrevention,TreatmentandRecovery •SoutheastMichiganCommunityAlliance(SEMCA) •TheMichiganDepartmentofCorrections–ProbationDepartment •WayneCountyProsecutor’sOffice •WayneCountyDepartmentofChildrenandFamilyServices •WayneCountySheriff’sDepartment–CaseDifferentiationUnit •WayneCountyCommission •WayneCountyConstituentServices •ThirdCircuitCourt

October

WayneCountyRegionalJusticeComplex

CountyExecutiveRobertA.FicanocreatedtheWayneCountyRegionalJusticeComplexCommissionin2004,tostudythefeasibilityofconsolidatingalllocallawenforcementandcourtactivitiesintoasinglecriminaljusticecampus.Co-chairsoftheCommissionwereformerMayorDennisW.ArcherandformerStateTreasurerDouglasRoberts.TheCommissionincludedofficialsfromboththepublicandtheprivatesectors.ExecutiveCourtAdministratorBernardJ.KostrepresentedtheThirdCircuitCourtontheCommission.TheCourtprovidedtheCommissionwithpotentialcostsavingsthatcouldberealizedifcourtoperationscurrentlylocatedintheColemanA.YoungMunicipalCenter(CAYMC),FrankMurphyHallofJustice(FMHJ),LincolnHallofJustice(LHJ),andthePenobscotBuildingwereconsolidatedinasinglecourtfacility.InOctober2005,theCommissionissueditsfinalreport.Thereportidentifiedsignificantshort-termandlong-termbenefitsofaRegionalJusticeComplextotheCounty.TheCommissionrecommendedthattheCountyhireaProgramConsultanttoprepareneedsstudiesandcostanalyses,configurationofadesignatedsite,andidentificationofthearchitecturalandengineeringservicesnecessarytodesignandconstructtheRegionalJusticeComplex.InOctober2005,theCountyissuedaRequestforProposal(RFP)fortheseProgramConsultantservices.

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November

MichiganAdoptionDay

Establishedin2003asastate-sponsoredevent,NationalAdoptionDaybringsattentiontothosechildreninneedofadoption,aswellashonoringthosefamiliesthathaveopenedtheirheartsandhomestochildrenthroughadoption.

TheThirdJudicialCircuitjoinedthenationinacollectiveefforttoraiseawarenessofthe118,000childreninfosterhomesacrosstheUnitedStateswhoarewaitingtobeadopted,4,476whomresideinMichigan.

TheCourt’sspecialguest,nationalauthorandspiritualleaderMarianneWilliamson,deliveredthekeynoteaddress.Followingtheaddressandcommentsfromotherguestspeakers,ChiefJudgeMaryBethKellyfinalizedfourteenadoptions.

OctoberContinued

“DadsfromDayOne”

TheThirdCircuitFriendoftheCourtenteredintoapartnershipwithHutzelWoman’shospitalin2005,tofacilitateademonstrationprojectcalledDadsFromDayOne.Thisprojectisagrant-fundedcollaborativeeffortwiththeMichiganOfficeofChildSupport,theFriendoftheCourt,andtheFederalOfficeofChildSupportEnforcement.Themainobjectivesoftheprogramareto: •Increasethenumberofvoluntaryacknowledgmentofpaternity •Improveparentingbehaviorbyincreasingthefather’sinvolvementina child’slifeandprovideavarietyofsocialservices •Promotemarriageofunwedparentswhereappropriate •Decreasethenumberofpaternitydefaultcases.

TheDadsFromDayOneprogramseekstoensurethatthenecessaryservicesareprovidedtobothparents,beginningatchildbirth,toenablethemtobettersupportthechild.Thisisachievedbyprovidingcasemanagementservicestolow-incomefamiliesmeetingtheeligibilityrequirements.Acasemanagerisassignedtothefamilyandworkscloselywiththefamilyforapproximatelythreetofivemonths.Thecasemanagerconductsanassessmentofthefamily,andmakesreferralstoserviceprovideragencies(onbehalfofthefamily)forGEDclasses,parentingclasses,parenteducation,jobreadiness,marriagecounseling,andemploymentskills.Thecasemanagerisalsoinstrumentalinassistingthefamilyinprocessingthechildsupportapplicationandmonitoringchildsupportpaymentsforthreemonths.Thismonitoringconsistsofremindingthefatherwhenapaymentisdueandcontinuingtoassistthefamilywithbarrierstheymayencounter.TheDadsFromDayOneprogramisuniqueinthatsocialservicesareprovidedatthehospitalbeginningshortlyafterchildbirth.

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ChiefJudgeMaryBethKellyandguestspeakerMarianneWilliamson(right)congratulateadoptivefamilies.

2005Highlights 2005Highlights

2005Highlights

December

NewCaseManagementSystemImplementation

Thepilotphaseofamulti-yearprojecttoimplementanewcasemanagementsystemwassuccessfullycompletedinDecember.ThepilotphaseinvolvedthemigrationofFamilyDivision–JuvenileSectionguardianshipcasestotheTylerTechnologiesOdysseyCaseManagersoftwareapplication.AdoptioncasesarescheduledforimplementationinApril2006,criminalcasesinFebruary2007,civilcasesinDecember2007,domesticrelationscasesinFebruary2008,andjuvenilecasesinMay2008.TheCourtwillbeabletotakeadvantageofstate-of-the-arttechnologyaseachdivisionismigratedtothenewcasemanagementsystem.

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2005Highlights

TheThirdCircuitCourtisthelargestcircuitcourtinMichiganwith61judgesandthreeoperatingdivisions.TheThirdCircuitCourthasjurisdictionovercivil,criminal,andfamilymattersarisingintheCountyofWayne.TheNationalCenterforStateCourtshascitedtheThirdCircuitCourtasoneofthemodelurbancourtsintheUnitedStatesforcaseflowmanagementandthetimelydispositionoftheCourt’sdocket.Only5%oftheCourt’spendingcaseswereoutsidetheMichiganSupremeCourtcaseprocessingtimeguidelinesin2005.

FY2005Expenditures

ExpendituresforThirdCircuitCourtoperationstotaledapproximately$129.4millioninFY2005.Employeesalariesandfringebenefitsaccountedforapproximately$52.3million(40.4%);servicesfromtheWayneCountySheriff,CountyClerk,andothercountycharge-backsaccountedforapproximately$37.3million(28.8%);indigentattorneyfeesaccountedforapproximately$18.7million(14.4%);buildingrentalapproximately$5.1million(3.9%);juryandwitnessfeesapproximately$3.4million(2.6%);and,contractualservices,equipment,andoperatingexpensestotaled$12.7million(9.8%).

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FinancialInformation

County Chargebacks,$7,985,133, 6%

Building Rental,$5,065,200, 4%

Contractual Services,$5,322,653, 4%

Supplies, Material, & OperatingExpenses, $3,386,459, 3%

Equipment Rental &Purchase, $3,956,981, 3%

Juror & Witness Fees,$3,411,400, 3%

County Clerk Services,$14,541,200, 11%

Sheriff Protection,$14,725,400, 11%

Salaries & Wages,$36,862,063, 29%

Retirement, FICA, & Insurance,$15,427,371, 12%

Indigent Legal Defense,$18,671,400, 14%

FinancialInformation CaseloadTrends

Between2003and2005,theCourtmaintainedapproximatelythesamelevelofnewcasefilings,whileexperiencingasignificantdecreaseinthenumberofpendingcasesatyear-end.Whiletheoveralllevelofnewcasefilingsremainedthesame,thereweresizeablechangesinthecasetypemixofnewfilings.Forexample,thenumberofnewfilingsintheCivilDivisioncontinuedtheirdownwardtrend(-14%),asdidthenumberofnewfilingsforpersonalprotectionorders(-15%).ModestdecreasesinnewcasefilingsoccurredinboththeCriminalDivisionandJuvenileSectionoftheFamilyDivision(-4%and-6%respectively).TherewerelargefluctuationsinthenewcasefilingsintheDomesticRelationsSectionoftheFamilyDivisionbetween2003and2005.Newcasefilingsincreasedby42%in2004anddecreasedby5%in2005.ThesefluctuationsweredueprimarilytothechangingnumberofpaternityandfamilysupportreferralsfromtheState’sDepartmentofHumanServices.

Asnotedearlier,thetotalnumberofpendingcasesdecreasedby13%from2003to2005.ThenumberofpendingcasesdecreasedintheCivilDivision,CriminalDivisionandDomesticRelationsSection(-14%,-10%and-15%respectively),whiletheJuvenileSectionpendingcaseloadremainedunchanged.

14

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

2003 2004 2005

New Case Filings Cases Pending

New Filings

Cases Pending

2005

15,908

13,835

2003

18,398

16,245

2004

16,694

15,261

Civil Cases

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

2003 2004 2005


New Filings

Cases Pending

2003

90,673

34,403

2004

92,783

34,525

All Cases2005

89,869

29,957

CaseloadTrends

15

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

2003 2004 2005


2004

21,444

5,882

2003

23,760

6,162

2005

22,247

6,208

New Filings

Cases Pending

Family Juvenile Cases-

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

2003 2004 2005


2004

25,004

10,704

2003

17,553

8,906

2005

23,646

7,556

New Filings

Cases Pending

Family-Domestic Relations Cases

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

2003 2004 2005


2004

13,136

829

2003

13,850

755

2005

11,711

320

New Filings

Cases Pending

Personal Protection Cases-

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

2003 2004 2005


2005

15,583

1,935

2004

15,644

1,722

2003

16,215

2,146

New Filings

Cases Pending

Criminal Cases

CaseloadTrends

16

SixteenCircuitCourtJudgeswereassignedtotheCivilDivisionin2005.Mattersthatinvolveclaimsofmorethan$25,000,whichincludemedicalmalpractice,autonegligence,personalinjury,contracts,employmentdiscrimination,andreceivershipsareheardintheCivilDivision.Inaddition,civilmattersappealedfromWayneCountydistrictcourtsandadministrativeagenciesarealsohandledbytheCivilDivisionJudges.Therewereapproximately15,900newcasefilingsintheCivilDivisionin2005,representing32%ofthestatewidetotal.

GeneralCivil

AutoNegligence

OtherCivilDamage

OtherCivil

CivilAppeals

AgencyAppeals

OtherAppeals Total

BeginningPending 5,124 4,088 5,032 186 79 57 14 14,580

NewFilings 7,573 3,988 2,965 615 322 380 65 15,908

Re-OpenedCases 776 324 316 24 15 13 3 1,471

TotalCaseload 13,473 8,400 8,313 825 416 450 82 31,959

DispositionsResultingFrom:

JuryVerdicts 27 39 51 0 0 0 0 117

BenchVerdicts 50 4 7 0 0 0 0 61

OrderEntered 0 0 0 0 75 178 11 264

GuiltyPleas 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Defaults,Uncontested,Settled 3,548 410 399 351 0 0 0 4,708

Transferred 199 138 171 1 9 1 2 521

DismissedbyParty 3,861 3,542 2,732 164 0 0 0 10,299

DismissedbyCourt 816 225 139 74 240 187 45 1,726

InactiveStatus 201 47 61 32 3 1 0 345

LocalDiversion 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

OtherDispositions 56 2 2 0 0 0 0 60

CaseTypeChange 9 1 10 1 2 0 0 23

TotalDispositions 8,767 4,408 3,572 623 329 367 58 18,124

EndingPending 4,706 3,992 4,741 202 87 83 24 13,835

GeneralCivilandTortCase2005Statistics

CivilDivision


17

InNovember2005,theCourtcelebratedthethreeyearanniversaryoftheeliminationofearlypre-trialjailreleases.TheWayneCountyJailaveraged100emptybedsdailyin2005.ThiswasachievedbythecollectiveeffortsoftheCriminalDivisionJudges,Prosecutor’sOffice,andDefenseBarinadjudicatingcaseswithinthe91-daytimestandard.

Capital Non-CapitalFelony

JuvenileCriminalAppeals Total

BeginningPending 431 1,148 2 34 1,615

NewFilings 1,360 14,099 0 124 15,583

Re-OpenedCases 119 1,508 1 0 1,628

TotalCaseload 1,910 16,755 3 158 18,826


JuryVerdicts 298 271 0 0 569

BenchVerdicts 134 462 0 0 596

OrderEntered 0 0 0 77 77

GuiltyPleas 750 11,635 1 0 12,386

Defaults,Uncontested,Settled 0 0 0 0 0

Transferred 2 187 0 0 189

DismissedbyParty 0 32 0 0 32

DismissedbyCourt 151 1,090 0 37 1,278

InactiveStatus 132 1,014 1 0 1,147

LocalDiversion 0 617 0 0 617

OtherDispositions 0 0 0 0 0

CaseTypeChange 0 0 0 0 0

TotalDispositions 1,467 15,308 2 114 16,891

EndingPending 443 1,447 1 44 1,935

Criminal2005Statistics

Twenty-sevenCircuitCourtJudgeswereassignedtotheCriminalDivisionin2005.AllfelonycasesthatareboundoverfromthedistrictcourtsinWayneCounty,aswellasdistrictcourtcriminalappeals,arehandledbytheCriminalDivisionJudges.Morethan15,500felonycaseswereboundovertotheCriminalDivisionin2005,representing24.2%ofthestatewidetotal.Toaidwiththehighvolumeofcases,somemattersareeligibleforanexpediteddocketingprocesswhereallproceedingsexceptarraignmentonthewarrantareheldattheCircuitCourtlevel.

CriminalDivision

Pre-Trial Felons Released Due to Jail Overcrowding

Month

January

February

March

AprilMay

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

2003, 2004, and 200520022001

294

253

296

331

262

201

272

114 122

99

104

40

276

231214

194

224

209

288

345

258283

0 0

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

rELEASES

Rele

ases


CourtDivisionsandStatistics CourtDivisionsandStatistics

TwelveCircuitCourtJudgeswereassignedtotheFamilyDivision-DomesticRelationsSectionin2005.Caseshandledincludedivorce,paternity,personalprotection,emancipationofminors,namechanges,parentalwaivers,andinfectiousdiseasematters.Eachofthesecasetypesmayincludemattersconcerningcustody,support,parentingtime,property,andotherissues.Therewereapproximately35,300newcasefilingsintheFamilyDivision-DomesticRelationsSectionin2005,representing26.9%ofthestatewidetotal.

Divorcew/Child

DivorceNoChild Paternity

FamilySupport UIFSA

OtherDomestic Total

BeginningPending 2,021 1,398 3,412 2,736 1 425 9,993

NewFilings 3,747 4,001 7,776 6,433 741 948 23,646

Re-OpenedCases 337 205 89 86 1 61 779

TotalCaseload 6,105 5,604 11,277 9,255 743 1,434 34,418


BenchVerdicts 86 32 0 0 0 1 119

Defaults,Uncontested,Settled 2,935 3,204 4,465 4,560 0 501 15,665

Transferred 4 0 0 0 0 3 7

Post-JudgementOrders 0 0 0 0 740 0 740

DismissedbyParty 999 767 1,040 783 0 348 3,937

DismissedbyCourt 202 177 3,253 2,509 0 180 6,321

InactiveStatus 2 0 0 1 0 0 3

CaseTypeChange 14 34 3 2 0 17 70

TotalDispositions 4,242 4,214 8,761 7,855 740 1,050 26,862

EndingPending 1,863 1,390 2,516 1,400 3 384 7,556

DomesticRelations2005Statistics

PersonalProtection2005Statistics

18

DomesticRelations

Non-DomesticRelations Total

BeginningPending 375 272 647

NewFilings 7,790 3,921 11,711

Re-OpenedCases 8 6 14

TotalCaseload 8,173 4,199 12,372


OrdersIssuedExParte 102 30 132

OrdersIssuedafterHrg. 6,162 2,407 8,569

Transferred 1 0 1

Dis./DeniedExParte 2 8 10

Dis./DeniedafterHrg. 1,036 1,160 2,196

DismissedbyParty 692 448 1,140

OrderIssuedafterDenial 0 4 4

CaseTypeChange 0 0 0

TotalDispositions 7,995 4,057 12,052

EndingPending 178 142 320

FamilyDivision-DomesticRelations

SevenCircuitCourtJudges(includingtwocross-assignedProbateJudges)wereassignedtotheFamilyDivision-JuvenileSectionin2005.Astaffofthirteenrefereespreparewrittenrecommendationsandfindingsoffact.CaseshandledbythisDivisionincludejuveniledelinquency,childabuseandneglect,adoption,andguardianship.Probationofficersconducthearingsontheinformaldockets,whichincludetrafficandordinanceviolations,andconsentmatters.Therewereapproximately23,000newcasefilingsintheFamilyDivision-JuvenileSectionin2005,representing25.6%ofthestatewidetotal.

Designated Deliquency TrafficChild

ProtectivePersonal

Protection Total

BeginningPending 4 1,734 3,331 470 21 5,560

NewFilings 32 9,049 10,310 1,542 431 21,364

Re-OpenedCases 2 847 0 0 0 849

TotalCaseload 38 11,630 13,641 2,012 452 27,773


JuryVerdicts 3 23 0 4 0 30

BenchVerdicts 2 1,274 1,423 744 0 3,443

GuiltyPleas/Admissions 12 3,024 258 465 0 3,759

ProsecutorWaiver 0 12 0 0 0 12

TraditionalWaiver 0 0 0 0 0 0

DismissedbyParty 0 0 0 0 38 38

DismissedbyCourt 2 1,441 2,649 0 0 4,092

Dismissed/Withdrawn 0 0 0 179 0 179

ConsentCalendar 0 423 0 0 0 423

Transferred 0 146 212 26 0 384

Diversion/NotAuthorized 0 2,874 5,066 177 0 8,117

DesignationGranted 0 0 0 0 0 0

InactiveStatus 0 925 0 0 0 925

NotCharged 0 0 0 0 0 0

CastTypeChange 0 3 0 0 0 3

Dis./DeniedafterHrg. 0 0 0 0 124 124

Dis./DeniedExParte 0 0 0 0 0 0

OrdersIssuedAfterHrg. 0 0 0 0 264 264

OrderIssuedExParte 0 0 0 0 2 2

TotalDispositions 19 10,145 9,608 1,595 428 21,795

EndingPending 19 1,485 4,033 417 24 5,978

Juvenile2005Statistics

19

FamilyDivision-Juvenile


CourtDivisionsandStatisticsThereareseveraldepartmentswithinCourtAdministrationthatprovidesupporttomorethanonedivisionoftheCourt.Abriefdescriptionofeachdepartmentisprovidedbelow.

AssignedCounselServices

TheOfficeofAssignedCounselServices(ACS)isresponsibleforappointingcounseltorepresentindigentpartiesappearingbeforetheCourt.ThereareACSofficesintheCriminal(FrankMurphyHallofJustice)andFamily-Juvenile(LincolnHallofJustice)Divisions.TheCaseProcessingDepartmentintheColemanA.YoungMunicipalCenterperformsmanyoftheACSfunctionsfortheFamilyDivision-DomesticRelationsSection.

TheCourtpartnerswiththeInstituteofContinuingLegalEducationtoprovidetheCourt’sannualtrainingforattorneyspracticingintheFamilyDivision.TheDetroit-WayneCountyCriminalAdvocacyProgramdevelopsandadministerstrainingforattorneyspracticingintheCriminalDivision.

BudgetandFinance

TheBudgetandFinanceOfficeconsistsofsevenoperatingunits:

TheCostAllocationandAuditUnitisresponsiblefortheCourt’sfiduciaryfunctions,overseeingnotonlyfiscaloperationalprocessesandprocedures,butalsotheallocationofsharedadministrativecosts.

TheGeneralFundBudgetandFinancialAccountingUnitprovidesbudgetmonitoringandgeneralaccountingservicesrelatedtothefundingreceivedfromtheCounty.

TheGrantBudgetsandFinancialAccountingUnitprovidesfinancialservicestocourtwidegrantprogramstoensureprogramspendingcomplianceincludingcontractmanagement,programbudgetmonitoringandprojections,preparationandreviewoffinancialreports,andexpensebillings.

TheGrantProgramPlanningandEvaluationUnitprovidesassistanceinprogrammonitoringandcompliance,pursuinggrantfundingopportunities,andgrantproposal/applicationwriting.

TheFiduciaryFundsAccountingandReconciliationUnitisresponsibleforthefinancialaccountingoftheCourtbankaccounts,includingthefiduciaryfundscollectedbytheFriendoftheCourt(FOC).ItalsohasoversightresponsibilityforthefinancialactivitiesoftheFOC.

ThePayrollReconciliationandReportingUnitisresponsibleformaintainingandreconcilingtheCourt’smasterpayrollandfringebenefitaccountingworksheetsandrecordsforallareasoftheCourt.Thisinformationisusedforavarietyofpurposes,includinggrantbillings,paymentstotheStateRetirementSystem,andforgeneralreporting.

TheAccountsPayableUnitisresponsibleforprocessingpaymentsforgoodsandservicesrenderedfororonbehalfoftheCourt.

20

CourtAdministration

BuildingandFacilitiesManagement

TheDepartmentofBuildingsandFacilitiesManagementisresponsiblefortheprocurementofofficesupplies,officeequipment,furniture,andprintedmaterialforalldivisionsoftheThirdCircuitCourt.Thisdepartmentisalsoresponsibleforreconfigurationofworkspaces,allmailfunctionsincludinginter-officemailandmeteredmail,transportation,officeequipmentrepair,andbuildingservices.

CaseProcessing

TheCaseProcessingDepartmentmaintainsaneffectiveandefficientcasemanagementplanforalllitigationfiledintheCourt.ThedepartmentprovidescentralsupporttotheBenchthroughitsdevelopmentanddistributionofstatisticalandmanagementreports,oversightandmaintenanceofautomatedcaseflowmanagementprograms,trainingofjudicialstaffmembers,andtheschedulingandnoticingofhearings.Thedepartmentalsoservesasaprimaryresourcetojudgesandstaffoncaseflowmethodsandprocedures,aswellasprovidinggeneralinformationtolitigants,attorneys,andthepubliconcasemanagementissues.

CourtReportingServices

TheCourtReportingServicesDepartmentisresponsibleforcoordinatingcourtreportingcoverageforalldivisionsoftheCourt.Thedepartmentalsoprocessesalltranscriptrequestsineachdivision,schedulesreportersandrecordersforcourtrooms,maintainsarchivalstorageofallrecordsofcourtreportersandrecorders,providesstaffsupporttovideocourtrooms,andordersinterpretersforproceedings.Inaddition,thedepartmentisresponsibleforassigningappellateattorneysandsubmittingtranscriptsforcriminalappeals.

HumanResources

TheOfficeofHumanResourcesmanagesallpersonnel-relatedactivitiesfortheCourt’ssixty-onejudgesand660employees.ThemissionoftheOfficeofHumanResourcesistoensurethatvacanciesarefilledincompliancewithbothfederalandstatelawsandprevailinglaboragreements.Thedepartmentworkstoensurethatemployeetimerecordsarecorrect;andthatemployeesarepaidaccuratelyandinatimelymanner;toadministeremployeebenefitsplans;toprovideemployeetraininganddevelopment;andtonegotiateandadministerlaboragreementsthatallowtheCourttofunctionwithinaunionizedenvironment.In2005,HumanResourcesconducted24examinations.Therewere76vacantpositionsfilled:44newhires,23promotionsand9lateraltransfers.

InformationTechnologySystemsBureau

TheInformationTechnologySystemsBureau(ITSB)providesreliable,costeffectiveinformationsystemssolutionsthatmeettheCourt’sevolvingbusinessneeds.ITSBsupportstheCourt’sthreelegacymainframecasemanagementsystems,thewide-areanetworkconnectingtheCourt’sfivelocations,theFriendoftheCourt’sdocumentimagingsystem,andtheofficeautomationtoolsonthedesktopPCsofallCourtemployees.ThedepartmentprovidestheapplicationandtechnicaloperatingenvironmentnecessarytomeettheoperatingandadministrativebusinessobjectivesoftheThirdJudicialCircuitofMichigan.Inordertoachievethis,thedepartmentisorganizedintoseveraloperatingentities.TheseentitiesincludeNetworkServices,ImagingandDocument,CaseManagementSystemsDevelopment,andOperations.

21

CourtAdministration

CourtAdministration CourtAdministration

JudicialAssistant

TheOfficeoftheJudicialAssistantservesastheofficiallegaladvisortotheCourtandprovidesservicesacrossallCourtdivisionstomembersoftheBenchandCourtdepartmentmanagers.Theofficeconductsresearchonlegalissuesandpreparesproposedopinions,orders,andmemorandaoflaw;givesinformaloralconsultations;draftsand/orreviewsandadvisesonvariousvendor/servicecontracts;servesasliaisonbetweentheCourtand“onlinelegalresearchvendors”;coordinatesnotificationtotheCourt’sprofessionalliabilityinsurerofclaimsbroughtagainsttheCourtormembersoftheBench;generatesanalysesofanynewlyreleasednoteworthyappellatecourtdecisions;providesafullrangeoflawlibraryservices;maintainsalegislativetrackingserviceforcurrentandarchivedsessionsoflegislation;providescasesummariesofrecentMichiganSupremeCourt,publishedCourtofAppealsopinions,andsyllabiofU.S.SupremeCourtdecisions;editsandprovidestotheBencharesearchtopicindexonadedicatednetworkdrive.

MediationTribunalAssociation

TheMediationTribunalAssociation(MTA)isanon-profitagencyestablishedin1979thatprovidesalternativedisputeresolutionservicesfortheThirdJudicialCircuitofMichigan,theUnitedStatesDistrictCourtfortheEasternDivision,andmanydistrictcourtsinthecountyofWayne.MTAprovidescaseevaluationandmediationservicesforcivilcasesunderMCR2.403,MCR2.410andMCR2.411.MediationofdomesticrelationscasesisprovidedunderMCR3.216.In2005,MTAevaluatedapproximately10,000casesforthecombinedcourts,processingthelargestvolumeofcourt-orderedcasesinthestate.

22

2005

TotalCasesSetforCaseEvaluation 9,090 100%

CasesSettledPriortoCaseEvaluation 699 8%

CasesSettledAfterCaseEvaluation 170 2%

CasesNotEvaluated(RemovedforCause) 399 4%

CasesAdjournedbytheCourt 2,672 29%

TotalCasesEvaluated 5,150 57%

2005

TotalCasesEvaluated 5,150 100%

CasesAccepted 699 13%

TotalCasesRejectedandContinuingtoDisposition 4,463 87%

CaseEvaluationCaseload

CaseEvaluationDispositions

AdultDrugCourt

TheAdultDrugCourtProgramcurtailsdrugandalcoholabuse,therebyreducingrelatedcriminalactivity.TheAdultDrugCourtoffersasentencingalternativetomanyotherwiseprison-bound,“non-violent”,addictedfelonswhosecriminaljusticeinvolvementstemsfromalcoholand/ordruguse.Thiscomprehensiveprogramprovidesintensivejudicialsupervision,frequentandrandomdrugtesting,graduatedincentivesandsanctions,alongwithaccesstoneededcommunityresources.Thesuccessfulcompletionoftheprogramresultsinthedismissaloftheoriginalcharge,areducedsentence,nojailorprisontime,oracombinationoftheabove.

TotalParticipantsinProgram 200

NewAdmissions 111

ReturningParticipants 89

GraduatingParticipants 62

RemovedParticipants 77

AdultDrugCourt2005Statistics

23

ANCILLARYCOURTSERVICES

TheAncillaryCourtServicesDepartmentcoordinatesprogramsandpoliciesinvolvingoutsideagenciessuchastheWayneCountyProsecutor’sOffice,WayneCountyClerk’sOffice,WayneCountySheriff’sDepartment,MichiganDepartmentofCorrections,MichiganStatePolice,AttorneyGeneral’sOffice,theStateCourtAdministrator’sOffice,aswellasothercircuitanddistrictcourts.TheDirectorofAncillaryCourtServicesalsooverseesthefollowingdepartments:AdultDrugCourt,CourtCollections,JuryServices,andPretrialServices.

CourtCollections

TheCollectionsUnitisresponsiblefortheinteractionbetweentheCourtandallotheroutsideagenciesregardingthecollectionofcourt-imposedcosts,fines,fees,andrestitution.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedtodevelopingandmaintainingcollectionpoliciesandprocedures,coordinatingandmonitoringcollectionactivitiesofallaccountsassignedtooutsideagencies,andaddressingandresolvingcomplaintsfrompayeesandagencies.



24

PretrialServices2005Statistics

PretrialServices

ThePretrialServicesDepartmentservesasthepretrialreleaseagencyforWayneCounty.Thisdepartmentprovidespertinentinformationregardingthedefendant’scriminal,personal,andemploymenthistorytothejudicialofficertoenhancetheCourt’sdecision-makingprocess.MichiganCourtRule6.106requiresthatbonddecisionsforpretrialreleasebemadeindependentofpoliticalpressuresandwithoutdiscriminationbasedonrace,sex,oreconomicstatus.Thecountyandcommunitybenefitfromthecostsavingsofdecreasedpretrialdetentionbyidentifyingthosedefendantswhocanbesafelyreleasedtothecommunitypendingdisposaloffelonycourtmatters.Furthermore,thedepartmentprovidestheCourtwithpreliminarySentencingGuidelineassessmentstoidentifythosedefendantseligiblefornon-jailornon-prisonsentences,andtodefensecounselandtheprosecutorasanaidtopleaconsideration.

2005

DefendantsInterviewed 10,083

TotalBondRecommendationsSubmitted 12,521

WrittenRecommendations 2,247

OralRecommendations 10,274

Supervision(YearlyAverages)

TotalDefendantsMonitored 9,318

ComplianceRate 85%

CapiasRate 11%

SentencingGuidelinesSubmitted 13,360

PercentageofCasesGuidelined 93%

L.E.I.N.Queries 18,755

ANCILLARYCOURTSERVICESCONTINUEDJuryServices

TheJuryServicesDepartmentprovidesfullservicesfortheCircuitandProbateCourtinWayneCounty,aswellasprospectivejuryselectionandqualificationservicesforalldistrictcourtsinWayneCounty.JuryServices,alongwithCourtAdministration,developsprocessesandprocedurestoefficientlyandeffectivelyutilizetheservicesofcitizenscalledtoserveonjuryduty.Thedepartment’sresponsibilitiesincludeallaspectsofqualifying,evaluating,selecting,summoning,andprocessingpayrollforjurors.TheJuryServicesDepartmentalsoreportsandrecordstheprogressofeachjurytrialandprovidesotherstatisticalinformationtoCourtAdministration.

TotalQuestionnairesMailed 370,582

TotalQuestionnairesReturned 186,176

TotalSummonsMailed 95,146

TotalJuryPanelsRequested 2,456

TotalJurorsUtilized 53,531

TotalJurorsOrderedtoShowCause 132

JuryServices2005Statistics


25

FRIENDOFTHECOURT

TheThirdCircuitFriendoftheCourt(FOC)isthelargestFOCinMichigan,withover250,000activedomesticrelationscases.TheFOCisanadjunctoftheCircuitCourt,whichhasasitsprimaryresponsibilitiesinvestigating,reporting,andmakingrecommendationstotheCourtonmattersofcustody,parentingtime,andsupportofminorchildren;andprovidingmediationasanalternativemethodofdisputeresolution.

ChildSupportEnforcement2005FiscalYearStatisticsIV-DCasesOpenwithSupportOrdersEstablished

Total 230,939

ActiveTemporaryAidtoNeedyFamilies(TANF) 27,227

NonActiveTANF 203,712

TotalSupportOrdered $440,884,330

TotalSupportCollected $332,628,886

IncomeWithholding $242,436,093

FederalTaxIntercepts 23,255,215

UnemploymentCompensation 10,537,668

FinancialInstitutionDataMatch(FIDM) 5,079,009

ReceivedfromOtherStates 4,003,240

StateTaxIntercepts 2,699,696

Receiverships 1,521

Worker’sCompensation 1,112

AllOtherPayments 44,615,332

TotalSupportDisbursed $331,672,443

CustodialParents $279,544,876

StateofMichigan-TANF 37,304,636

StateofMichigan-Medicaid 8,561,213

Out-of-StateAgencies 2,404,271

OtherRecipients 3,857,447



26

CaseEstablishment

TheCaseEstablishmentDepartmentisresponsiblefortheinitiationofpaternity,familysupportandinterstatecases,whichresultintheestablishmentofpaternityandchildsupportorders.Thedepartmentisresponsibleforavarietyoftasksincludingcreatingdocuments;recordinganddocketingevents;schedulingallinterviews,hearings,andgenetictestingappointments;interviewinglitigantstoassistindeterminingchildsupportobligations;andappearingathearingsbeforetheRefereeandJudge.Thedepartmentcompletesitstasksbydividingtheresponsibilitiesintothreeareas,includingclericalsupport,domesticrelations,andtheSpecialAssistantProsecutingAttorney.

FRIENDOFTHECOURTCONTINUED

FamilyAssessment,Mediation,andEducation

TheFamilyAssessment,Mediation,andEducationDepartmentiscomprisedoftheFamilyEvaluation,Mediation,andCounseling(FEMC)UnitandtheDisputeResolutionUnit(DRU).TheFEMCUnitprovidescourt-orderedevaluationsandmediationforfamilieswheretheparentsareinconflictregardingcustodyand/orparentingtime.FEMCalsooccasionallyprovidessupervisedparentingtimeandcourtesyhomeassessmentsforotherjurisdictions.TheDRUservestheincreasingneedformediationservicesindomesticrelations.ItprovidesavarietyofmediationservicestotheFriendoftheCourtandtodomesticrelationsjudges.DRUalsocoordinatesbothcourt-fundedandgrant-fundedfamilyeducationprograms.

FinancialServicesUnit

TheFinancialServicesUnit(FSU)processespaymentsintotheMichiganChildSupportEnforcementSystem(MiCSES)andmanagesmoneyinthesuspenseaccounts.TheFinancialServicesstaffreviewswhythemoneyisnotbeingdisbursedandthentakesthenecessaryactiontoensuretheappropriatedisbursement.TheFSUconductsresearchandassiststhevariousagenciesinresolvingfinancialissues.

InvestigationandModificationReview

TheInvestigationandModificationReviewDepartmentissuesrecommendationstotheCourtregardingcustody,parentingtimeandchildsupportonpendingdivorceandchildcustodymatters.Italsoissuesrecommendationsonallpost-judgmentchildsupportmatters.

InterstateCommunicationsUnit

TheInterstateCommunicationsUnithandlesallpost-judgmentrequestsfrominterstateandintrastateIV-Dagencies.TheseagenciesincludeInterstateCentralRegistry,InternalRegionalOffices,andInterstateForeignOffices.Thisunitrespondstoinquiriesconcerningcasestatus,certifiedpaymentrecords,arrearageaffidavits,interstatepaymentprocessingissues,taxinterceptcreditsreceivedbyout-of-stateagencies,paymentredirects,andcaseclosurereviews.


27

LegalDepartment

TheLegalDepartmentisresponsibleforhandlingallinternallegalmattersfortheFriendoftheCourt(FOC).TheLegalDepartmentispresentlycomprisedoffourunits.TheLitigationUnitincludesateamofFOCattorneysandclericalstaffresponsibleforhandlingissuesincludingworkers’compensationclaims,litigatingcourt-orderedliensonlargesums,employercontemptactions,bankruptcyissues,estates,andpropertymatters.Theattorneysarealsoassignedtojudicialdocketsinprocessingshowcauseproceedingsandhandlingallde novoreviewsarisingoutofFOCrefereehearings.

TheBenchWarrantUnithandlesallbenchwarrantmatters,includingcontempthearingsheldbeforetheCourt,processingbondorders,andresolutionofbenchwarrantsissuedonindividualsheldasaresultoffailuretoappearatshowcausehearings.

TheCourtServicesUnitisresponsibleforprocessingallFinancialInstitutionDataMatchcaseswhereapayer’sbankaccountisheldforpaymentonarrearages.TheCourtServicesUnitalsohandlestransfercasesandassiststheCourtinmotionsregardingstatuteoflimitationsandcancellationofarrearages.

TheCaseEstablishmentUnithasSpecialAssistantProsecutingAttorneys(SAPA)whoareresponsibleforprocessingthosecasesthatrequireahearingbeforeaRefereeregardingestablishmentofapaternityorsupportcase.SAPAsarealsoresponsibleforhandlingdenovorequestsbeforetheCourt,andpro permotionstosetasideOrdersofFiliationandSupport.

OmbudsmanOffice

TheThirdCircuitFriendoftheCourthasanOmbudsmanUnitthatisresponsibleforexpeditingandresolvingcomplexchildsupportissuesthatmayoccurasaresultofasystemoroperationserror.TheofficealsorespondstoandresolvesallgrievancesfiledbythepublicwiththeStateCourtAdministrativeOffice.

OrderEntryDepartment

TheOrderEntryDepartmentisresponsiblefortheentryofalldomesticrelationscourtordersintotheMichiganChildSupportEnforcementSystem(MiCSES).Theseincludetemporaryorders,judgments,modifiedorders,andthirdpartyorders.

RefereeDepartment

TheFriendoftheCourt(FOC)RefereeDepartmentincludeseightrefereeswhoheardomesticrelationsdisputesandmakerecommendationstothejudges.Therefereedocketsconsistofin-pro permotions,privatebarmotions,FOCchildsupportmodifications,medicalshowcauses,parentingtimemotionsandshowcauses,licensesuspensions,andinterstatesupportactions.Refereesalsoholdevidentiaryhearingsondisputedmattersaswellasconsenthearingswhenpartiesagreeonadomesticrelationsorsupportmatters.




28

SpecialProjectsDepartment

TheSpecialProjectsDepartmentsupportstheFriendoftheCourtoperationsbyservingastheliaisonwithstatepartneragencies:MichiganStateDisbursementUnit,theDepartmentofHumanServicesOfficeofChildSupport,andotherchildsupportofficeswithinthestate.ThedepartmentisresponsibleforaddinganddeletingstaffaccesstotheMichiganChildSupportEnforcementSystem,transferringcasesfromothercounties,andensuringthatallstaffareassignedtheappropriateroleswithinthesystem.Conversiontoastatewidesystemhasledtodataclean-uprelatedprojectsatthelocallevel.Thisdepartmentistheentrypointforalldataclean-upprojects.

SupportEnforcementDepartment

TheSupportEnforcementDepartment’sprimaryfocusistoenforcechildsupportobligations.ThedepartmentmonitorsandmaintainsmajorenforcementremedieswiththeintentionofincreasingcollectionsandreimbursementsfortheCourt.EnforcementprogramsmanagedbythisdepartmentareTaxIntercept,LicenseSuspension,PassportDenial,CreditReporting,Auditing,InterstateChildSupportEnforcement,andMedicalSupportEnforcement.TheMedicalEnforcementstaffensuresthatobligorsmaintaincourt-orderedhealthinsurancecoverageandpayuninsuredmedicalexpenses.TheEnforcementstaffalsoassistswiththeFelonyNon-SupportprogramsrunbytheAttorneyGeneralandtheWayneCountyProsecutor.


JUVENILEADMINISTRATION

Adoptions

TheAdoptionsUnitisresponsibleforprocessingalladoptionsforWayneCountyresidents.Theunithelpsensurepermanentlybondedfamiliesthroughthetimelyterminationofparentalrights,formalplacementofchildrenintoapprovedhomes,adoptionfinalization,andthedeliveryofefficientpost-adoptionservices.Theunitalsoprocessesvoluntaryreleasesofparentalrightsstemmingfromneglect,abuse,orothercasesforthepurposeofadoption.

Adoptions2005Statistics2005

AdoptionPetitionsFiled 883

Dispositions 940

Releases 149

Consents 186

Reports:Non-Identifying&IdentifyingReports 30

TheOfficeofJuvenileAdministrationmanagestheadministrativefunctionsoftheFamilyDivision-JuvenileSection.TheDirectorofJuvenileAdministrationoverseesthefollowingCourtDepartments:Adoptions,CourtAppointedSpecialAdvocates,Intake,JuvenileServicesandReferees.


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CourtAppointedSpecialAdvocateProgram

TheCourtAppointedSpecialAdvocatesProgram(CASA)fortheThirdCircuitCourtplaysavaluableroleinchildprotectiveproceedingsandserviceschildreninout-of-homeplacementinWayneCounty.Theprogramprovidestrainedcommunityvolunteerswhoareappointedbythejurists.Theirresponsibilitiesincludegatheringinformationonthechildrenbyreviewingrecords,interviewingparents,talkingtoteachers,neighbors,andmostimportantlythechildren.Thevolunteersalsoappearincourttomakerecommendationsregardingwhatisinthebestinterestofthechildren.

CourtAppointedSpecialAdvocateProgram2005Statistics

ProgramActivity 2005

CasesAssigned 72

CasesClosed 32

ActiveCases 48

VolunteersTrained 32

ChildrenServed 203

NewChildren 119

ChildrenWhoseCaseClosed 73

JUVENILEADMINISTRATIONCONTINUEDClinicforChildStudy

TheClinicforChildStudyprovidesfamiliesandyouthunderthejurisdictionoftheFamilyDivision-JuvenileSectionwithtimelycomprehensiveassessments,effectivetreatment,earlyintervention,mediation,andclientservicesmanagement.ItalsoprovidestheCourtwithevaluations,recommendations,reports,andexpertwitnesstestimony.TheClinicforChildStudyhassixservicedeliveryunits,whicharefundedbytheDetroit-WayneCountyCommunityMentalHealthAgency.ThesesixunitsareFamilyAssessmentUnit,Child/AdolescentAssessmentUnit,JuvenileSocialAssessmentUnit,ClinicTreatmentUnit,IntensiveProbationUnit,andStatusOffendersUnit.

ClinicforChildStudy2005Statistics

CasesReferredtoClinicforAssessment 2005

FamilyAssessmentforProtectiveHearings 850

Child/AdolescentAssessment 1,116

Guardianships 46

AdoptionStudies 0

Total 2,012

EarlyIntervention(Walk-inParentComplaints) 1,508

ClientServicesManagement(IntensiveProbation) 760

ClinicTreatmentUnit 537

ScheduledTreatmentSessions 3,675



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JuvenileDrugCourt

JuvenileDrugCourtisformallynamedtheSupervisedTreatmentforAlcoholandNarcoticsDependencyProgram(STAND).Theprogramutilizestherapeuticjurisprudenceandcasemanagementtodevelop,coordinate,andmonitorajuvenile’streatment.STANDusesasystemofgraduatedincentivesandsanctionstoencourageprogresstowardcompliance,negativedrugscreens,schoolattendanceoremployment,andnoadditionaldelinquencypetitions.Whenajuvenileintheprogramsuccessfullycompletesallrequirementsandgraduates,theCourtdismissestheoriginalcharge.

TotalParticipantsinProgram 84

NewAdmissions 51

ReturningParticipants 0

GraduatingParticipants 14

RemovedParticipants 23

JuvenileDrugCourt2005Statistics

JuvenileIntake

TheIntakeUnitisresponsiblefortheinitialprocessingofalldelinquencyandchildprotectiveproceedingsmattersthatcometotheattentionoftheCourt.ThisincludesthescreeningandprocessingofbothadmissionstotheWayneCountyJuvenileDetentionFacilityandcomplaintsregardingjuvenileswhoarenotincustody.TheunitisresponsibleforconductingConsentCalendarhearingsandTrafficandOrdinancehearings,anddivertingcasestovariousagencieswithinWayneCounty.TheunitisalsoresponsibleformonitoringAdultDesignatedcasesandPleaUnderAdvisementcases.RegardingChildProtectiveProceedingsmatters,theIntakeUnitprocessesandmaintainsrequestsforOrderstoTakeIntoProtectiveCustody,policecustodymatters,andAWOLPcasesinvolvingchildrenwhomaybetruantfromtheirfostercareplacements.

JUVENILEADMINISTRATIONCONTINUED

InterviewsonAdmittanceIntoJuvenileDetentionFacility 4,421

Police/AgencyCallsforPlacementAuthorization 534

InterviewswithDHSWorkers

OriginalPetitionsw/PlacementAuthorizations 577

SupplementalPetitionsw/PlacementAuthorizations 77

OriginalPermanentCustodyPetitions 116

FamilyInterviews

ConsentProbation 16

ConsentDocketsHeld 104

Traffic/OrdinanceDocketsHeld 70


EXECUTIVECOURTADMINISTRATORBernardJ.Kost

THIRDCIRCUITCOURTMANAGERS

DEPUTYCOURTADMINISTRATORKelliD.Moore

DIRECTORANCILLARYCOURTSERVICES

SidneyMcBride

DIRECTORASSIGNEDCOUNSELSERVICES

LeonardBranka

DIRECTORCASEPROCESSING

JeromeFekin

CHIEFCOURTREPORTERDebraD.McGinnis

DIRECTORJUVENILEADMINISTRATION

JohannaO’Grady-Ward

CHIEFREFEREEThomasDoetsch

DIRECTORBUILDINGSANDFACILITIES

TheresaPlotzke

CHIEFFINANCIALOFFICERThereseM.Lisowski

DIRECTORCLINICFORCHILDSTUDY

JosephAvore

DIRECTORHUMANRESOURCES

PamelaE.Griffin

DIRECTORINFORMATIONTECHNOLOGY&

SYSTEMSBUREAUJeromeWysocki

JUDICIALASSISTANTGregoryKocab

EXECUTIVEDIRECTORMEDIATIONTRIBUNAL

ASSOCIATIONLisaTimmons

FRIENDOFTHECOURTJosephSchewe

ASSISTANTFRIENDOFTHECOURTDorisRyans

DIRECTORCASEESTABLISHMENT

SusanBuckley

DIRECTORINFORMATIONSERVICES&FINANCIALSERVICESUNIT

ZenellBrown

DIRECTORINVESTIGATIONS&RECORDS

RETENTIONCarolCotter

DIRECTORLEGALSERVICESCamilleDennis

SENIORREFEREENancyDonohue

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

InadditiontotheCourt’sManagersandSupervisors,Iwouldliketothankthefollowingemployeesfortheircontributiontotheannualreport:MichelleA.Esterbrook,KayFarrell,KathleenFleming-Clark,FrancesFogel-

Gibson,CheriJ.Holland,MichaelR.Navin,AlisaShannon,RolandSmithandMaryKayWimsatt.

IwouldalsoliketothankElizabethShumateforthegraphics,designandformatofthereport.Finally,aspe-cialthankstoKelliMooreforassumingresponsibilityforthecontent,editingandlayoutofthereport.Itruly

appreciateherhardworkanddedicationtotheCourt.

BernardJ.KostExecutiveCourtAdministrator

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ColemanA.YoungMunicipalCenter

FrankMurphyHallofJustice

LincolnHallofJustice

PenobscotBuilding


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