Senate approves reduction of 36 judgeships in Michigan

By: Benjamin A. Schock, Attorney at Law.  Mt. Clemens, Michigan.

State lawmakers Tuesday approved a package of bills that will cut the number of trial judges in the state by Thirty Six through attrition. It is not expected that any judges will be lost in Macomb County.

The original bipartisan legislation passed by the House of Representatives in December proposed eliminating 41 trial court judgeships. The Senate amended the bills and reduced the number to 36. ”The last time we eliminated judgeships in Michigan was more than a decade ago, and even though the current reduction it is not as sweeping as we first envisioned, it is a huge step toward reforming the judiciary, assuring access to justice and saving taxpayer money,” said state Rep. John Walsh, R- Livonia, chair of the House Judiciary Committee.

The legislation was recommended in a 2011 report by the State Court Administrative Office. Past reports have urged similar reductions, but the recommendations were not acted upon. The most recent report received the support of the Michigan Supreme Court and all three state judge’s associations. “This will in no way affect a citizen’s right to a speedy trial or full access to justice through the court system,” Walsh said. “It is overdue reform that will save taxpayer money in the long run, and will bring our judicial system to the correct size.”

The package of bills now goes to Governor Snyder for his signature which is expected because Snyder has supported the measure.