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Margaret Bakker
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2028
Margaret Bakker is the chief judge of the 48th Circuit Court in Allegan County, Michigan. She was elected to this court on November 2, 2010, and took office on January 3, 2011. Bakker was appointed chief judge on December 21, 2010.[1][2] She ran for re-election in 2016.[3]
Biography
Bakker received her J.D. from the Detroit College of Law in 1978. Bakker joined the Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney's Office in March 1982. She worked there until she joined the circuit court in January 2011. At that time, she was the chief assistant prosecuting attorney.[2][4]
Elections
2016
Michigan held general elections for local judicial offices on November 8, 2016. A primary election occurred on August 2, 2016. The candidate filing deadline for incumbents was March 21, and the deadline for non-incumbents was April 19.[5] Incumbent Margaret Bakker ran unopposed in the 48th Circuit general election.[3]
| 48th Circuit, General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | ||
 Margaret Bakker Incumbent | ||
| Source: Michigan Department of State, "2016 General Election Official Results," November 28, 2016 | ||
2010
- See also: Michigan judicial elections, 2010
Bakker defeated Paul W. Klein with 59.81 percent of the vote in the general election on November 2, 2010.[6]
Selection method
- See also: Nonpartisan election of judges
The 221 judges of the Michigan Circuit Courts are selected in an identical manner, each serving six-year terms. They are chosen in nonpartisan elections and must face re-election if they wish to continue serving. Candidates are placed on the ballot via nonpartisan primaries or by nominating petitions.[7] Sitting judges who reach age 70 are allowed to serve out the remainder of their term.[8]
Selection of the chief judge
The chief judges of the circuit courts are appointed by the state supreme court to two-year terms.[7]
Qualifications
To be elected to either of these courts, a judge must:[7]
- be a qualified elector of his or her district;
- be licensed to practice law in the state;
- have at least five years of law practice experience; and
- be under the age of 70.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Holland Sentinel.com, "Margaret Bakker sworn in as first female circuit court judge in Allegan," December 21, 2010
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 MLive.com: Kalamazoo News, "Margaret Bakker named chief judge in Allegan County by Michigan Supreme Court," December 30, 2010
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Michigan Secretary of State, "2016 Michigan Unofficial Candidate Listing," April 19, 2016
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Margaret Bakker," accessed April 25, 2016
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "2016 Michigan Election Dates," accessed December 7, 2015
- ↑ Michigan Department of State, "2010 Michigan Official General Election Results," November 2, 2010
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Michigan," archived October 2, 2014
- ↑ Michigan Daily, "Washtenaw County judge announces early retirement," May 1, 2014
Federal courts:
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
State courts:
Michigan Supreme Court • Michigan Court of Appeals • Michigan Circuit Court • Michigan Court of Claims • Michigan District Courts • Michigan Municipal Courts • Michigan Probate Courts
State resources:
Courts in Michigan • Michigan judicial elections • Judicial selection in Michigan
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