Michelle Letourneau-McAvoy
Michelle Letourneau-McAvoy is a former candidate for the 3rd Circuit Court in Michigan.[1] Letourneau-McAvoy was defeated in the primary election on August 2, 2016.
Biography
Letourneau-McAvoy was born on April 12, 1973. She received a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Michigan - Dearborn in 1995 and a J.D. from Wayne State University Law School in 1999. She was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan on December 20, 1999. Her professional experience includes working as a domestic relations referee at the Wayne County Circuit Court, as an attorney for the Legal Aid & Defender Association of Detroit, and in private practice. Letourneau-McAvoy is affiliated with the following organizations:[2]
- State Bar of Michigan Family Law Section
- Wayne County Family Law Bar Association
- Referee Association of Michigan - Board member at large and co-chair of the Membership Committee (elected to this position in May 2016)
- Women Lawyers Association of Michigan – Wayne Region
- Certified Domestic Relations Mediator since 2010
- ICLE Certified Family Law Practitioner
- Michigan Inter-Professional Association on Marriage, Divorce and the Family
- Plymouth-Canton Community Schools Student Transition Advisory Committee
- First Step, Domestic, Western and Downriver Wayne County Project on Domestic and Sexual Violence
Campaign themes
2016
Letourneau-McAvoy participated in Ballotpedia's 2016 survey of local judicial candidates. The following sections display her responses to the survey questions. When asked what non-judicial legal experience qualifies her to be a judge, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | I have experience practicing law throughout the State of Michigan including Wayne County. I believe that it is important for judicial candidates to have experience in the court in which they are attempting to be elected or appointed. I understand how the Wayne County Circuit Court operates and I am familiar with many of its Judges and Court Staff as I practiced in the Wayne County Circuit Court Family Division, Juvenile Division, Civil Division and in the Wayne County Probate Court for approximately eight years prior to being appointed by the Wayne County Circuit Court to my current position as a Wayne County Circuit Court Domestic Relations Referee.
Because of my work and practice history, I understand the issues that face the residents of Wayne County such as poverty, joblessness, crime, and diversity/cultural issues. As a judge, I believe that it is important not only to know the law but also to understand the individuals and the issues in the community that are prevalent. For instance, with respect to domestic relations issues, it is important to know the cultural differences between civil and Islamic divorces and the fact that some cultures openly accept some forms of physical punishment while others have no tolerance for physical punishment. In addition, while a judge must issue court orders after hearing motions, trials, and evidentiary hearings, it is also important for a judge to try to de-escalate tensions between the parties and encourage litigants to reach agreements to resolve their issues. As a certified mediator, I have the skills to be able to recognize when it is possible for parties to participate in being part of the resolution to their legal matter and to assist them in reaching those agreements. Finally, throughout my career I have been dedicated to always improving my legal knowledge. I have been an active participant in continuing legal education programs to such an extent that I am one of the few attorneys who completed the Institute of Continuing Legal Educations Family Law Certificate Program prior to being appointed to my current position in February 2011. I have maintained my certification and my active participation in continuing legal education since my appointment.[2][3] |
” |
When asked why she was running for this particular court seat, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | I am running for judge because I want to have a bigger impact on our community. As a Referee, I am assigned to hear domestic relations motions that involve minor children and are assigned to one particular Judge’s docket and I occasionally appear on other special dockets such as the Case Establishment Docket. While I believe that I have already had a positive impact on the families that have appeared before me and those who have benefitted by the use of the Wayne County Co-Parenting Plans and their involvement in the current pilot program, this is a small segment of the community. As a Judge, I would have the ability to impact more community members in a positive manner and to expand the reach of my efforts to make the Wayne County Circuit Court more accessible to our community beyond the family division. While voters have the ability to vote for a variety of public officials in every election, a Judge is the only elected official who has face-to-face contact with his/her constituents, in a very personal way, on a daily basis. It is important that judicial candidates show a commitment to the community, its residents, and the issues that are pervasive in the community. My involvement in the community and my already established judicial temperament will make becoming a judge a very natural transition for me.[2][3] | ” |
When asked to identify one judge, past or present, who she admires, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | Judge Kathleen McCarthy, Presiding Judge of the Family Division of the Wayne County Circuit Court. Judge McCarthy is an extremely hard-working Judge who goes out of her way to not only hear her cases and properly administer the law but also to improve the Court's functions and make it run in a more efficient and user-friendly manner.[2][3] | ” |
When asked about her primary concern regarding today's judicial system in her state, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | My primary concern about the Michigan legal system is the way in which judges are elected or appointed to the bench. It is crucial that judges be elected or appointed to the bench who have relevant court experience, a proven commitment to the community and an ability to preside over his/her cases in a fair and impartial manner. In Michigan judges are either appointed by the Governor or elected by the voters. Many voters are not familiar with the judicial candidates listed on their ballots and simply vote for a candidate because he/she has a familiar or pleasant name, without regard for whether the candidate has relevant court/practice experience.[2][3] | ” |
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.[4] The following candidates ran in the 3rd Circuit primary election (4 open seats).[1]
| 3rd Circuit, 4 open seats, Primary Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Wanda Evans |
9.55% | 46,406 |
| Thomas Hathaway |
9.08% | 44,086 |
| Melissa Cox |
7.89% | 38,310 |
| Brian L. Morrow |
5.65% | 27,465 |
| Kelly Ann Ramsey |
5.59% | 27,154 |
| Robert Ficano |
5.15% | 25,040 |
| Matthew Evans |
5.10% | 24,782 |
| Regina Thomas |
5.01% | 24,332 |
| Tracy Green | 4.79% | 23,284 |
| Felicia Courtright | 4.65% | 22,570 |
| Kenneth J. King | 4.64% | 22,516 |
| Suzette Samuels | 4.60% | 22,339 |
| Isaac Robinson | 4.26% | 20,689 |
| Karyn Macdonald | 3.66% | 17,758 |
| Michelle Letourneau-McAvoy | 3.52% | 17,109 |
| James Humphries | 3.29% | 15,978 |
| Esther Lynise Bryant-Weekes | 3.18% | 15,471 |
| Delicia Coleman | 3.18% | 15,443 |
| Ron Robinson | 2.57% | 12,498 |
| Rebekah Coleman | 2.51% | 12,209 |
| Michael Woodyard | 2.13% | 10,342 |
| Total Votes | 485,781 | |
| Source: Michigan Department of State, "Official Primary Results," August 23, 2016 | ||
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.[5] Sitting judges who reach age 70 are allowed to serve out the remainder of their term.[6]
Selection of the chief judge
The chief judges of the circuit courts are appointed by the state supreme court to two-year terms.[5]
Qualifications
To be elected to either of these courts, a judge must:[5]
- 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
- Michigan Secretary of State, "2016 Michigan Unofficial Candidate Listing," April 19, 2016
- Official campaign website
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Michigan Secretary of State, "2016 Michigan Unofficial Candidate Listing," April 19, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Ballotpedia's local judicial candidate survey, 2016, "Michelle Letourneau-McAvoy's Responses," May31, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "2016 Michigan Election Dates," accessed December 7, 2015
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 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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