May 6, 2020

Judge Jonas honored by the Michigan Association of Treatment Court Professionals

On May 5, 2020, Judge Susan Jonas was presented with The Honorable William G. Schma Award by the Michigan Association of Treatment Court Professionals. The Schma Award is the association’s most prestigious award and is presented to persons who have made outstanding contributions to treatment courts in Michigan.

In 2004 Judge Jonas started the first treatment court docket in Ottawa County. Since then, she has positively impacted the lives of 485 participants in the Ottawa County Recovery Court. Because of Judge Jonas's lasting impression, many of the Recovery Court participants return at one time or another, but not necessarily to see her behind the bench. Instead they visit to say hello, to tell her about their families, to celebrate their accomplishments, or to have Judge Jonas preside over their weddings. Judge Jonas has saved lives, has reunited families, and she has improved the community.

Judge Jonas has served on the Michigan Association of Treatment Court Professionals Board of Directors since 2010. In 2011 her court was designated as a DWI Academy Court by the National Center for DWI Courts.

Media Contact:

Alma Valenzuela, Director of Probation & Community Corrections, 616-355-4314