Bills to eliminate 36 judgeships head to Gov. Snyder
February 17, 2012
Michigan: With a hearty endorsement from Chief Justice Robert Young, the Michigan State Legislature passed a group of bills that will reduce the number of trial court judgeships in the state by thirty-six. Only five of those will be eliminated immediately, since the seats are already vacant. Otherwise, it could be until terms expire in 2032 that the plan is fully recognized. The decades-long deadline is based on the policy of attrition instead of immediate action.[1]
In a report, the State Court Administrative's Office actually recommended cutting forty-five judgeships. As crime rates have fallen across Michigan, courts are not carrying as heavy caseloads as year's past.
In a speech Tuesday to trial court chief judges, Chief Justice Young said, "The legislators are doing the right thing for the courts and for the taxpayers. In politics, it's easy to grow the size of government, but it takes political courage to reduce it. Those legislators showed their courage and their common sense."[1]
Governor Rick Snyder is almost certain to sign the bill. In December 2011, he approved the elimination of eight judgeships while the legislature continued to iron out of the details of more reductions.[2]
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