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Seventh Judicial Circuit Court
Genesee County
Flint, MI 48502
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Judicial Council
The Genesee County Judicial Council was formed in 1994, as an outgrowth of the Justice Project of the Michigan Supreme Court and the Courts in the 21st Century Project of the Michigan Legislature.
The mission of the Judicial Council is to enhance the administration of justice to citizens of Genesee County. This is accomplished by developing methods to share information of common concern and review information from agencies that do business with the Courts.
The council consists of sixteen members and is currently chaired by the Chief Judge of the 67th District Court. Other members include the Chief Judge and Chief Judge Pro-Tem of the Circuit Court, Chief Judge and Chief Judge Pro-Tem of the 68th District Court and Chief Judge and Chief Judge Pro-Tem of the 67th District Courts, Chief Judge and Chief Judge Pro-Tem of the Probate Court, and the respective court administrators. Representatives of the County Clerk, Genesee County Bar Association, Prosecutor Office and Sheriff's Office are non-voting members of this assembly. A delegation from the State Court Administrative Office frequently attends meetings. Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month except July.
Programs/reorganization efforts implemented through the Judicial Council.
Judicial Council Joint Local Administrative Order No. 1
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Disclaimer
Last updated:
09/21/2009
Judicial Council Programs and Reorganization
The Judicial Council has been instrumental in implementing the following
programs and reorganization:
Judicial Cross Assignments among Circuit, District and Probate Courts Pro Per Docket by Family Division Referees
Each judge in Genesee County is authorized by Local Administrative Order to
preside in any court. This arrangement fosters cooperation and flexibility.
To establish judicial efficiencies for all litigants, a Friend of the Court
referee presides over domestic cases in which parties represent themselves.
In some cases, parties may pursue their matters with a judge.
Removal Trial Docket
Cases that mediate in Circuit Court
for less than $25,000 and fit the profile of District Court jurisdiction are
placed on this docket. District judges are assigned to the cases. Case Evaluation
Case Evaluation plan for circuit, district and probate court was developed after
addition of MCR 2.404. 68th District Court and Probate Court cases are scheduled
through the Circuit Court ADR Clerk.
Family Division Implementation Jail Work Group
On January 1, 1998 family litigation previously handled by Circuit and
Probate Court was consolidated in the Family Division of Circuit Court.
The group is comprised of judges, law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, police
chiefs and corrections administrators with the mission of examining methods and
policies that promote jail population control.
Felony Plea Project
The Felony Plea Project is developing a process where guilty pleas in felony cases are taken by District
Judges before the case is sent to Circuit Court. The purpose of this project is
to assist with jail space management and to expedite movement of cases through
the court system.
Drug Court
The Drug Court is a joint local administrative order setting forth a commitment to implement comprehensive drug courts in Genesee County. It consists of a circuit court felony drug court, a family division neglect & abuse, delinquency drug and a 67th District Court sobriety Court. Funding for the drug courts is primarily through grants with a local funding unit match.
SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT 2005-02J
GENESEE COUNTY PROBATE COURT 2005-02J
SIXTY-EIGHTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT 2005-01J
SIXTY-SEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT 2005-02J
WHEREAS, the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) has assisted the Genesee County Courts with management studies, making certain recommendations for effective delivery of services to the public; and
WHEREAS, the Michigan Legislature commissioned a study of Michigan’s state judicial system; completed by the Commission on the Courts in the 21st Century; and
WHEREAS, the Michigan Supreme Court has undertaken the Michigan Justice Project (a strategic planning initiative for the Michigan Court system); and
WHEREAS, the Genesee County Courts have committed to developing a Court Coordination Project; now,
THEREFORE, the Courts of Genesee County being the 7th Judicial Circuit Court, Probate Court, 67th and 68th Judicial District Courts, do hereby adopt this Joint Administrative Order (pursuant to MCR 8.112(B) for the purpose of facilitating internal court management.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL
Name
The Courts of Genesee County agree to establish the Genesee County Judicial
Council (hereinafter referred to as the Judicial Council).
Mission
The mission of the Judicial Council is to enhance the administration of
justice to citizens in Genesee County through developing and implementing
methods of sharing and coordinating judicial and administrative activities
(and resources) among the courts.
Membership
The Judicial Council shall consist of the following:
Chief Judge of the 7th Circuit Court
Chief Judge of the 67th District Court
Chief Judge of the 68th District Court
Chief Judge of Genesee County Probate Court
Chief Judge Pro-Tem of the 7th Circuit Court – Criminal/Civil
Chief Judge Pro-Tem of the 7th Circuit Court – Family Division
Chief Judge Pro-Tem of the 67th District Court
Chief Judge Pro-Tem of the 68th District Court
Chief Judge Pro-Tem of the Genesee County Probate Court
Circuit Court Administrator
67th District Court Administrator
68th District Court Administrator
Probate Court Administrator
Representative of the Genesee County Bar Association (non-voting)
Representative of the Genesee County Clerk (non-voting)
Representative of the Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office (non-voting)
Representative of the Genesee County Sheriff (non-voting)
Officers
Judicial Council
officers shall include:
Executive Chief Judge
Executive Chief Judge Pro Tempore
Executive Court Administrator
Election of Officers
The Judicial Council will, by January 1 of even-numbered years, designate one of its members who is a judge as Executive Chief Judge and one member who is a court administrator as Executive Court Administrator. The Executive Chief Judge shall designate a member of the Council who is a judge as Executive Chief Judge Pro Tempore.
Meetings
Meetings of the Judicial Council will be held on the first Monday of each month except for the month of July. The Executive Chief Judge may cancel or change the date of a meeting as may be necessary.
The Executive Court Administrator, in conjunction with the Executive Chief Judge, shall prepare a calendar of meetings for the coming year. The schedule of meetings should be presented to the Judicial Council at the December meeting for adoption.
Council Responsibilities
The Judicial Council shall:
a. With the approval of the State Court Administrator, create, consolidate and/or merge divisions or functions of the courts which would assist the council in carrying out its mission;
b. Allocate facility space to court functions;
c. Recommend assignment of judges to assist with caseflow;
d. Monitor Jail Utilization
Responsibilities of Officers
1. Executive Chief Judge
a. Call and preside over meetings of the Judicial Council;
b. Appoint committees of the Judicial Council;
c. Recommend policies and actions for consideration by the Judicial Council;
d. Represent the Judicial Council in its relations with the Supreme Court, other courts, governmental agencies, the Bar Association, the public, the news media and in ceremonial functions.
2. Executive Chief Judge Pro Tempore
Fulfill the above responsibilities in the event the Executive Chief Judge is absent or unavailable.
3. Executive Court Administrator
a. Provide administrative support services for the Judicial Council, including preparation of the agenda and minutes of Council meetings;
b. Perform such administrative functions as assigned by the Judicial Council, and
c. Supervise council functions.
Decision Process
All decisions of the Judicial Council will be made only by a unanimous vote of the members present at a regularly scheduled or special meeting; provided, however, that for any decision to have binding effect, one member from each court must be present and casting a vote and a quorum, consisting of a majority of the members of the Judicial Council, is in attendance.
Chief Judge Rule After Decision Making Process
Nothing in this agreement shall in any way detract from the authority of the individual Chief Judges or their responsibilities relating to the administration of their respective courts pursuant to the “Chief Judge Rule” (MCR 8.110).
Effective Date:
This Order shall become effective immediately upon approval of the State Court Administrator.
Dated: 6-6-05 Chief Judge, 7th Judicial Circuit Court
Dated: 6-6-05 Chief Judge, 67th District Court
Dated: 6-6-05 Chief Judge, 68th District Court
Dated: 6-6-05 Chief Judge, Genesee County Probate Court