|
February 11, 2022
For Immediate Release
Fifth Judgeship Added to Ottawa County Circuit Court
On Wednesday, Governor Whitmer signed legislation adding a fifth judgeship to the 20th Judicial Circuit Court. This action was a long time coming, although the judges of this Court understood the need for an additional judgeship for Michigan's seventh largest and fastest-growing county, it wasn't until the additional judgeship was recommended by the State Court Administrative Office in the 2019 Judicial Resources Report that the need was more widely recognized.
The weighted caseload docket analysis performed in 2019 showed a need for 10 judges between the Circuit, Probate and District Courts in Ottawa County, which, at the time, were served by only nine judges. Ottawa County also had the highest ratio of population to circuit court judge among the ten largest counties in Michigan at 72,623 to 1. Moreover, each circuit and probate court judge in Ottawa County was estimated to be spending 2,891.92 hours working on 2019 case filings, or an average of 55.6 hours per week. While the current judiciary is dedicated and hard-working, this level of work was not a sustainable practice over time.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic struck shortly after the Judicial Resources Report was released, which significantly slowed down the process of adding this seat. However, with Governor Whitmer's approval, this new judicial seat will be the subject of a general, non-partisan election in November of this year. The new judge will be taking office on January 1, 2023, for an eight-year term. Interested candidates must file nonpartisan nominating petitions by 4:00 p.m. on April 19, 2022, to be on the ballot for the August primary election.
The 20th Circuit Court appreciates the work of Rep. Luke Meerman in initiating the legislation to realize the Supreme Court's recommendation, and also thanks all local representatives, particularly the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners, for their support. The Court also recognizes and thanks Sen. Roger Victory for his efforts in guiding this bill through the legislative process in only six months, in time for the 2022 general election.
|
