michigan 17th circuit court judge candidates 2020

GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- Six candidates are vying for three judicial seats in contested races Nov. 3 in the county.

The Michigan Association for Justice (MAJ) endorses candidates that will fight to protect the right to a civil trial by jury, and promote a fair and effective justice system. . Genesee County voters will decide between judicial candidates - mlive In Genesee Circuit Court (7th Circuit Court), Genesee District Judge Harman Marable Jr. is running against attorney Chris Christensen while in Genesee District Court (67th District) races, Judge Jessica Hammon faces attorney Dawn Weier in the 2nd Division, and attorneys Torchio Feaster and Tabitha Marsh are seeking the open seat in the 5th Division. He has been involved in the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, Whaley Childrens Center, Hurley breast cancer events, Hurley Childrens Hospital events and is a director on the Friends of Berston Field House. This judge is outside of that coverage scope and does not receive scheduled updates. Brighton, MI 48116 Education. As Judge, I will work to accomplish this goal by promptly and consistently taking the bench encouraging participants to work through their disputes to narrow the issues and providing decisions in an expeditious manner. In the nonpartisan primary, the two candidates who receive the greatest number of votes advance to the general election. }, Paul Denenfeld is a judge of the 17th Circuit Court in Kent County, Michigan. That experience, especially in the Circuit Court level, has shown me great, innovative ways to run a courtroom, and target areas that courts can improve to better serve residents in a more fair and equitable fashion. background-color: #f9f9f9; All candidates for Michigan House and Senate, regardless of party, are invited to return a questionnaire and apply for an endorsement. The judges additionally hold bi-weekly meetings to ensure we are meeting the needs of our citizens and addressing any issues that may arise. Stage. GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- Six candidates are vying for three judicial seats in contested races Nov. 3 in the county. background-color: white; from Western Michigan University and a J.D. Article 6, 26 Circuit court commissioners and justices of the peace, abolition; courts of limited jurisdiction. Publication of candidate statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and should NOT be considered as an endorsement. .widget-row.Independent, .widget-row.Nonpartisan, .widget-row.Constitution { . Michigan Circuit Court background-color: grey; Hammon: I have always valued justice, integrity, honesty, and contribution to my community. Michigan Probate Courts, Courts in Michigan Michigan judicial elections Judicial selection in Michigan. color: white; I created the City of Flints Blight Court and I have served as the Blight Court Judge. If elected, I would continue this practice as it benefits all involved. Marable received his juris doctorate degree from the Ohio State University College of Law and bachelors degree from James Madison College at Michigan State University. color: white; p. 517.321.3073 17th Circuit Judge of Circuit Court Incumbent 6 Year Terms (4) Positions: Filed On: Method: INC. font-weight: bold; The unrest comes from hundreds of years of institutional racism that has plagued our history. 17th Circuit Court, Michigan - Ballotpedia Denenfeld was re-elected in 2010 and 2016. However, I think this critical to allow for continuous quality improvement and to ensure that the judicial system is helping to meet the goals of the community. .courts-container hr {background-color:#f0a236;padding-bottom:2px;}, Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan, Michigan Supreme Court Hammon: The greatest challenge to justice and public accountability of all governmental units is transparency. Access to the court system and monitoring the effectiveness and efficiency of the court should be available to everyone. He served as chairman of legal redress for the Michigan NAACP. background-color: #f9f9f9; if(document.getElementsByClassName("reference").length==0) if(document.getElementById('Footnotes')!==null) document.getElementById('Footnotes').parentNode.style.display = 'none'; Ballotpedia features 408,485 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled Friday that Warren Mayor Jim Fouts is not eligible to run this year for another term. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. I will continue to support rehabilitation programs that teach defendants in my court how to break the cycle that brought them in front of me. You cannot adequately understand where a person is today without understanding where they came from. [4], The chief judges of the circuit courts are appointed by the state supreme court to two-year terms. The 17th Circuit Court is a circuit court in Michigan . She was formerly on the public defender list, representing hundreds of defendants in felony cases. Further, the 67th District Court has a website where information about the Court is accessible to the public at any time. Michigan Probate Courts, Courts in Michigan Michigan judicial elections Judicial selection in Michigan. font-weight: bold; PDF FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-INCUMBENT JUDICIAL CANDIDATES - michigan.gov I will not have to learn how to be a judge. There are 14 judges currently sitting on the 17th Circuit. Michigan District Courts This year, MLive Media Group partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan to provide candidate information for readers. color: black; 3066 0 obj <> endobj .infobox { The judges in the 67th District Court meet frequently to discuss issues concerning the Court and its procedures. Christenson: Transparency is the greatest challenge to justice and accountability. In addition, I am the only candidate who has quasi-judicial experience. Term-limit questions have appeared in ballot questions before Warren voters in 1998, 2016 and 2020. Phone Directory . Incumbent. ", He expressed doubt "that I can get a fair and objective legal opinion in this court and maybe beyond?". They argued that Fouts is ineligible to run because of term limits approved by voters in 2020. A more consequential date, if the Michigan Supreme Court takes up the appeal, would come within the next few months. All rights reserved. We should review these benchmarks quarterly and make adjustments. I have more than 18 years experience being an attorney. .top_disclaimer { Legislative candidate endorsements are based on voting records for incumbents and a comprehensive candidate questionnaire. All judicial candidates are interviewed by the MAJ Judicial Qualifications Committee. His experience includes Wayne State University Law School Civil Rights Law Clinic and he worked as an intern labor attorney at Klimist, McKnight, Sale, McCow, and Canzano. %%EOF Denenfeld holds a B.A. I believe in treating people fairly and with respect. To be elected to either of these courts, a judge must:[3]. Box 20126, . In establishing the Community Action Committee I have organized countless community activities. .courts-header { font-size:150%;background-color:#334aab;color:white;} Michigan is one of 43 states that hold elections for judicial positions. Feaster: I respect Flints rich history and I have dedicated my career to contributing to its future. Weier is a Bentley Senior High School honors graduate and received her bachelors degree with honors from the University of Michigan-Flint and her juris doctorate from the University of Detroit-Mercy Law School. The 221 judges of the Michigan Circuit Courts are selected in an identical . Lansing, MI 48933 The courts have 10 elected judges, four appointed magistrates, nine probation officers and a staff of 50 employees. That term-limit situation was a seesaw battle through the courts with expedited appeals. We need to have judges who will fight the status quo. display: inline-block; 16th (Macomb) - Judge Teri Lynn Dennings. The Court's activities are divided into the following functions: There are a substantial number of cases in the Courts, especially in Genesee County. I would work to avoid bias and ensure equity in my sentencing. Such matters include: civil cases, landlord/tenant cases, misdemeanor criminal cases and felony criminal cases. Working with state court officials, we must use virtual technology, specialty dockets, and other tools to serve the public. This makes it extremely difficult for the Court to get through the volume of cases before it. Follow her on Twitter: @challreporter. Michigan District Courts Hammon: The 67th District Court, with the assistance of the State Court Administrators office conducts yearly audits that are available to the public. [1], .courts-container { background-color:#fcfcfc; width:100%; border:1px solid black;padding:5px;text-align:center;clear:both; } padding-left: 10px; Access to justice for those who can not afford legal services or for those that have disabilities is equally important to ensure that the court system is fair to all that wish to use it.

} The 17th Circuit Court is a circuit court in Michigan that encompasses Kent County.

float:right; His community involvement includes membership in the State Bar of Michigan, Genesee County Bar Association, and Genesee County Democratic Party Executive Committee. Every defendant has the right to a jury of their peers, which means that a jury needs to reflect the make-up of the community. Warren Mayor Jim Fouts eligible to be on city ballot, judge rules, Warren Mayor Jim Fouts files to run for 5th term despite term limit amendment, 4 of Warren's longest serving councilmen knocked off ballot  again, Making Marrocco's home a prison: No TV, no parties, no golf, Trans male fencer Bobbie Hirsch is making history at Wayne State University, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. How could the judicial system better serve the public - in cost, in service, and/or in outcomes? [1], Prior to joining the court, Denenfeld was an attorney with LaGrand & Denenefld. Macomb County Circuit Judge Joseph Toia wrote that "the evidence presented demonstrates that the ballot language and Charter are not clear on whether previous terms served are counted towards the current term limits." In general, circuit courts handle all civil cases with claims of more than $25,000 and all felony criminal cases. 26. [5], If two or more candidates in a race receive the same number of votes, the election is to be decided by lot. Marable Jr.: There are access issues for low-and moderate-income users to our courts. Jim Fouts ineligible to seek 5th term as Warren mayor, Michigan Court  This will help eliminate issues with implicit bias, racism, and sexism. 	background-color: #003388; In a process run by a county clerk, the candidates choose slips of paper from a box that say either "elected" or "not elected".[6]. Subscribeto the Free Press. 	vertical-align: top; Marable Jr.: The State Court Administrators Office (SCAO) uses a benchmark system for Michigan courts. We as the judiciary must strive to make all things we do transparent to all. .widget-row.value-only.black { This begins by providing the public with the tools to confirm that fair and equal justice apply to everyone.  Michigan Circuit Court Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. } 	margin-bottom: 0; Support local journalism. In addition, the judicial system could work harder to reduce recidivism. Christenson: The court system must be more efficient and respectful of the publics time. We can do a better job of keeping the public informed by making information about the process of the courts readily available. }  from the University of Cincinnati. Sec. } YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The Michigan Court of Appeals decision is at best an unlikely and implausible conclusion clearly contradicting the ruling of the Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Toia, Fouts said in a lengthy response. font-size: .9em; They argued that Fouts is ineligible to run because of term limits approved by voters in 2020. I am proud that all of my court hearings, despite the current COVID pandemic, are continuing and are streamed live so that the public can see what occurs in my courtroom.  The judicial system exists to help with order and it is difficult for the public/community to have confidence in the judicial system without some measurable accountability. He said his clients want to appeal. . Heres a look at how the candidates responded to questions on some key issues. I have served both the legal and greater community in many roles throughout my years of practice. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local.  Michigan Court of Appeals hbbd```b`` TD29`5O?`r-X}&Mo9OI_ vH/c];9D2H-`z R*lJ q   g
 	font-weight: bold; f. 517.321.4694, {{#if featuredimages.homepage}} {{featuredimages.homepage.url}}{{else}} /userassets/MI/MI/userimages/DefaultBlogImage.jpeg{{/if}}. He worked as an intern at the Genesee County Prosecutors Office and worked as a judicial advisory assistant to Genesee Probate Judge Jennie Barkey. Paul Denenfeld is a judge of the 17th Circuit Court in Kent County, Michigan.He was appointed to this position by Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm on July 22, 2009, to succeed Steven Mitchell Pestka. margin-bottom:0px; Now, as our court system faces the new reality of operating during a pandemic and recession; with backlogged dockets; a reduced capacity to operate; and almost certain budget cuts to come, it is critical we have battle tested judges who have experience in serving the public under less than ideal circumstances. 

She is on the MIDC arraignment team and has represented defendants on misdemeanor and felony warrants and misdemeanor cases through trial. election law stipulates that in instances where a candidate for Court of Appeals Judge, Circuit Court Judge, District Court Judge, or Probate Court Judge seeks election in a district where . I hear cases on blight and enforce city ordinances designed to eliminate our citys blight problem. I am also of the opinion that, absent unusual circumstances, cases should progress through the legal system in a timely manner. word-wrap: break-word; To learn more about judicial selection in Michigan, click here. 0 Spelling and grammar were not corrected. If there are not more than twice the amount of candidates than there are persons to be elected, the race will not appear on the primary election ballot, but only on the general election ballot. .widget-row.Green { The district courts are responsible for parking citations, traffic violations, criminal misdemeanors, preliminary examinations in felony cases, landlord-tenant, small claims, and general civil cases. %PDF-1.6 % We cannot ignore the social unrest that is taking place in our nation at this time. I was recognized in 2019 by Legal Services of Eastern Michigan as well as the State Bar for contributing over 100 hours of pro bono work to clients in need and so will encourage our bar to donate time to those who need assistance. Michigan Probate Courts, Courts in Michigan Michigan judicial elections Judicial selection in Michigan. I adhere to the proposition that judges should serve the public in a respectful manner and treat everyone that comes before the Court with respect. hb```lw@(qour@x{/JM J?4X~@Q9HHt0p40t04p0h4p`5DXKEBY'3 3z0Md\4))1Sy8nIc(uK3 D8K_c` [1][2] He took office on August 10, 2009. background-color: red; This also ensures that cases are proceeding in a timely manner. We can go a long way to restoring the confidence in the court system by being completely transparent and showcasing the integrity of the courts. Community forums are a way to help establish the benchmarks and gauge whether or not what is being done is effective. Her community involvement includes State Bar of Michigan, Genesee County Bar Association, Mallory VanDyne Scott Bar Association Executive Board, Embassy Covenant Church International Presbytery Board and Ministerial Team, Flint Childrens Museum Executive Board, Flint Institute of Arts Gala Committee, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and Michigan Branch of the NAACP. I have represented clients in every type of case litigated in District Court. Christenson: The Supreme Court Administrator does set and track benchmarks for courts to follow however, the information is not easily ascertainable. This is more efficient, reduces costs, lessens court appearances and litigants do not have to miss as much work. if(document.getElementsByClassName("reference").length==0) if(document.getElementById('Footnotes')!==null) document.getElementById('Footnotes').parentNode.style.display = 'none'; .courts-container { background-color:#fcfcfc; width:100%; border:1px solid black;padding:5px;text-align:center;clear:both; } Many of the Courts are streamlining and lessening the amount of Court appearances. Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2018; Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2017; Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2016; Michigan judicial elections, 2014; Michigan judicial elections, 2012; Michigan judicial elections, 2010; Selection method See also: Nonpartisan election of judges. I am dedicated, diligent, and business minded. He has more than 20 years of experience as a practicing attorney in Genesee County Circuit Court and was on the Family Courts child abuse and neglect panel for seven years. width: 100%; Fouts, Papandrea, City Council President Pat Green, state Rep. Lori Stone and Macomb County Commissioner Michelle Nard have filed to run for mayor. font-weight: bold; If you are interested in receiving MAJ's endorsement please go to our candidate endorsement page. The following background information was provided by each candidate. He said the Court of Appeals chose to ignore past Supreme Court opinions and allow an unclear and clearly unconstitutional opinion to be given.. .widget-value { .widget-row.heading { I choose to return to Flint to pursue my legal career so that I could serve the city that raised me and gave me the opportunity to succeed. background-color: grey; float: right; The council has achieved a TKO in denying a competitive election in November. .infobox p { Christenson was raised in Flint and lives in Grand Blanc. [4] Incumbent Paul Denenfeld and incumbent George Jay Quist were unopposed in the 17th Circuit general election (2 open seats). Endorsements for all offices are voted on by the Executive Board. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2023, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2022, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2021, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2020, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2019, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2018, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2017, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2016, https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=17th_Circuit_Court,_Michigan&oldid=9037092, Conflicts in school board elections, 2021-2022, Special Congressional elections (2023-2024), 2022 Congressional Competitiveness Report, State Executive Competitiveness Report, 2022, State Legislative Competitiveness Report, 2022, Partisanship in 2022 United States local elections. 2.2.1 Primary election; 2.2.2 General election; 2.2.3 Ties; 2.3 Footnotes; Circuit Court. Judges - Kent County, Michigan [4], The chief judges of the circuit courts are appointed by the state supreme court to two-year terms. Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2023, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2022, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2021, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2020, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2019, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2018, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2017, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2016, https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=17th_Circuit_Court,_Michigan&oldid=9037092, Conflicts in school board elections, 2021-2022, Special Congressional elections (2023-2024), 2022 Congressional Competitiveness Report, State Executive Competitiveness Report, 2022, State Legislative Competitiveness Report, 2022, Partisanship in 2022 United States local elections. Michigan is one of 43 states that hold elections for judicial positions. All responses in the voter guide were submitted directly by the candidates and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters, except for a necessary cut if a reply exceeded character limitations. Marsh: I believe that social injustice is the greatest challenge to justice. The success of my prior judicial campaign is a demonstration of my work ethic and viability as a judicial candidate. The 2020 vote didnt affect Fouts fourth, four-year term, which began in 2019, but it did appear that he would be unable to seek a fifth term. "Buffa is hereby ordered to immediately disqualify Mayor Fouts as a candidate for mayor in 2023 and not place his name on the ballot for election," the Court of Appeals' opinion said.

Guy Fieri Voice Tournament Of Champions 2021, Certified Gun Appraiser Near Me, Total Number Of Dots On A Dice, Articles M