Many of the Courts are streamlining and lessening the amount of Court appearances. In the nonpartisan primary, the two candidates who receive the greatest number of votes advance to the general election. background-color: #003388; We cannot ignore the social unrest that is taking place in our nation at this time. Marsh: I ran for judge in 2018 and I received 53,381 votes in that race. This judge is outside of that coverage scope and does not receive scheduled updates. The League never supports or opposes any candidates or political parties. [1][2] He took office on August 10, 2009. [5], If two or more candidates in a race receive the same number of votes, the election is to be decided by lot. .widget-row.value-only.black { Article 6, 26 Circuit court commissioners and justices of the peace, abolition; courts of limited jurisdiction. Term-limit questions have appeared in ballot questions before Warren voters in 1998, 2016 and 2020. } Vinsons opinion, which was accepted by the Warren Election Commission during an Election Day meeting in November, stated it was not clear that the ballot proposal approved by voters in 2020 should apply to Fouts. Box 20126, . Better decisions are made when theres an understanding of the person you are making a decision regarding. If not, should they be put in place and shared? hb```lw@(qour@x{/JM J?4X~@Q9HHt0p40t04p0h4p`5DXKEBY'3 3z0Md\4))1Sy8nIc(uK3 D8K_c` If you are interested in receiving MAJ's endorsement please go to our candidate endorsement page. His community involvement includes membership in the State Bar of Michigan, Genesee County Bar Association, and Genesee County Democratic Party Executive Committee. width: 43%; Stage. This begins by providing the public with the tools to confirm that fair and equal justice apply to everyone. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. if(document.getElementsByClassName("reference").length==0) if(document.getElementById('Footnotes')!==null) document.getElementById('Footnotes').parentNode.style.display = 'none'; Ballotpedia features 408,485 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. I will not have to learn how to be a judge. vertical-align: top; Access to the court system and monitoring the effectiveness and efficiency of the court should be available to everyone. Candidates for three judicial races in Genesee County are pictured in these submitted photos. .courts-header { font-size:150%;background-color:#334aab;color:white;} Making fair decisions as a judge is truly a skill that takes years to develop. [4], The chief judges of the circuit courts are appointed by the state supreme court to two-year terms. Courts must be accessible to all whether you are rich or poor. margin: auto; Nevertheless, I think this is something the courts should establish. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Fouts, Papandrea, City Council President Pat Green, state Rep. Lori Stone and Macomb County Commissioner Michelle Nard have filed to run for mayor. At the end of the day, it is critical that justice and Constitutional rights are not sacrificed in this changing environment. Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2017; Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2016; Michigan judicial elections, 2014; Michigan judicial elections, 2012; Michigan judicial elections, 2010; Selection method See also: Nonpartisan election of judges. .courts-header { font-size:150%;background-color:#334aab;color:white;} Ballotpedia features 408,485 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. Feaster: I respect Flints rich history and I have dedicated my career to contributing to its future. } I have a great deal of trial experience including civil and criminal trials. [3], Denenfeld was re-elected (along with James Robert Redford and George Buth) in the general election on November 2, 2010. The 17th Circuit Court is a circuit court in Michigan . Michigan Court of Appeals I would utilize my experience from leading community organizations and volunteering to forge partnerships with groups that would help make offenders in my court less likely to return to crime and more likely to evolve into productive members of society. They are chosen in nonpartisan elections and must face re-election if they wish to continue serving. } The Michigan Association for Justice (MAJ) endorses candidates that will fight to protect the right to a civil trial by jury, and promote a fair and effective justice system. font-weight: bold; . Southeast MI Office: Previously, he was a director for the Institute for New Democracies for Uzbekistan and senior litigation counsel for the federal public defender office. Michigan Circuit Court The courts have 10 elected judges, four appointed magistrates, nine probation officers and a staff of 50 employees. Marable Jr.: As a Flint District Judge, we faced 2 financial emergencies for our funding source, (City of Flint) many mid-year budget cuts, staff layoffs and the elimination of Probation services. This also ensures that cases are proceeding in a timely manner. The candidate filing deadline for incumbents was March 21, and the deadline for non-incumbents was April 19. color: white; [3] Sitting judges who reach age 70 are allowed to serve out the remainder of their term. 67th District courts are limited jurisdiction courts, authorized under state statute, with jurisdiction over Genesee County, including the City of Flint. He worked as an intern at the Genesee County Prosecutors Office and worked as a judicial advisory assistant to Genesee Probate Judge Jennie Barkey. Christenson was raised in Flint and lives in Grand Blanc. Support local journalism. Judge Christina Elmore was elected to the 17th Circuit Court and began her term on January 1, 2019. As Judge, I will work to accomplish this goal by promptly and consistently taking the bench encouraging participants to work through their disputes to narrow the issues and providing decisions in an expeditious manner. Denenfeld holds a B.A. 17th Circuit Court, 61st District Court, Probate Court 180 Ottawa Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 632-5220 Health. I am comfortable leading in a variety of settings. Additionally, Denenfeld has been an adjunct professor at Cooley Law School, Georgetown University Law Center, Michigan State University/Detroit College of Law, Wayne State University, and Kalamazoo Valley Community College. [5], If two or more candidates in a race receive the same number of votes, the election is to be decided by lot. The 221 judges of the . } All rights reserved. Overview; Michigan; Races; Michigan 17th District Court; Data through 12/31/2022 Michigan 17th District Court 2022 Election Season $0 Total Contributions. It will help them keep their pulse on the residents they serve so that they are staying relevant. 16th (Macomb) - Judge Teri Lynn Dennings. width: 100%; color: white; I am dedicated, diligent, and business minded. I adhere to the proposition that judges should serve the public in a respectful manner and treat everyone that comes before the Court with respect. 3066 0 obj <> endobj She is a Soup Kitchen volunteer and a Red Cross blood donor. 738 W. Grand River Ave, Suite N Warren Mayor Jim Fouts eligible to be on city ballot, judge rules, Warren Mayor Jim Fouts files to run for 5th term despite term limit amendment, 4 of Warren's longest serving councilmen knocked off ballot again, Making Marrocco's home a prison: No TV, no parties, no golf, Trans male fencer Bobbie Hirsch is making history at Wayne State University, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. background-color: white; The judges additionally hold bi-weekly meetings to ensure we are meeting the needs of our citizens and addressing any issues that may arise. Michigan Probate Courts, Courts in Michigan Michigan judicial elections Judicial selection in Michigan. To your knowledge, have the courts established any benchmarks to determine if they are effectively meeting the needs of their jurisdiction? Weier: I am dedicated and hard working. He received 31.42 percent of the vote.[5]. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Thus, my conclusion is that the Court of Appeals has chosen to deny the voters of Warren the right to have a choice in November.

} .widget-row.Green { Follow her on Twitter: @challreporter. They argued that Fouts is ineligible to run because of term limits approved by voters in 2020. Michigan Probate Courts, Courts in Michigan Michigan judicial elections Judicial selection in Michigan. I believe a judge having compassion and understanding is essential. float: right; .widget-row { 1.1 Judges; 1.2 Former judges; 1.3 See also; 1.4 External links; 2 Elections. .top_disclaimer { font-weight: bold; The longtime politician is seeking a fifth, four-year term as mayor of Michigan's third-populous city. To be elected to either of these courts, a judge must:[3]. In establishing the Community Action Committee I have organized countless community activities. There is also bias with regards to sentencing. Statewide Governor; . ", He expressed doubt "that I can get a fair and objective legal opinion in this court and maybe beyond?". Candidates are placed on the ballot via nonpartisan primaries or by nominating petitions. Applicants may be interviewed by the MAJ Judicial Qualifications Committee. from the University of Cincinnati. The impact of COVID on the justice system will require new methods of operating for safety and efficiency. } To learn more about judicial selection in Michigan, click here. Judges make decisions about peoples lives daily. He has been a member of the Genesee County Democratic Party, Genesee County Democratic Black Caucus, NAACP and Urban League of Flint. The 2020 vote didnt affect Fouts fourth, four-year term, which began in 2019, but it did appear that he would be unable to seek a fifth term. The 221 judges of the Michigan Circuit Courts are selected in an identical . Knowing a persons history sheds light on their environment, nurturing (or lack thereof), adequacies, inadequacies, gifts, talents, struggles, family, etc. The 17th Circuit Court is a circuit court in Michigan that encompasses Kent County. The Circuit Court ruled in favor of City Clerk Sonja Buffa and the Warren Election Commission, which . Each court typically publishes related data on a dashboard on court websites for public view as required and monitored by SCAO. 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. In addition, the judicial system could work harder to reduce recidivism. In addition, I am the only candidate who has quasi-judicial experience. Macomb County Circuit Judge Joseph Toia wrote that "the evidence presented demonstrates that the ballot language and Charter are not clear on whether previous terms served are counted towards the current term limits." Each candidate was asked to outline their stances on a variety of public policy issues. .courts-container hr {background-color:#f0a236;padding-bottom:2px;}, 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, Michigan Supreme Court .infobox p { He is a graduate of Roeper School in Oakland County. I hear cases on blight and enforce city ordinances designed to eliminate our citys blight problem. Many litigants cannot afford an attorney. Marsh: The courts are monitored by the State Court Administrators Office; however, I am not aware of the courts establishing any benchmarks to determine if they are effectively meeting the needs of their jurisdiction. To be elected to either of these courts, a judge must:[3]. Feaster: As far as I know there are not established benchmarks to evaluate the effectiveness of meeting the needs of the jurisdiction. @D=@ -. .courts-header { font-size:150%;background-color:#334aab;color:white;} . The ruling comes less than a month after a Macomb County Circuit Court judge denied a motion from the Warren City Council and Councilman Ron Papandrea that challenged Fouts' eligibility. All responses in the voter guide were submitted directly by the candidate and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters, except for a necessary cut if a reply exceeded character limitations. .widget-img { ", He said the administration "has been playing games with term limits for over a decade. If yes, how often should they be reviewed or shared with the public? [1], Prior to joining the court, Denenfeld was an attorney with LaGrand & Denenefld. margin-bottom:0px; He took office on August 10, 2009.Denenfeld was re-elected in 2010 and 2016. Lastly, we need to be proactive about how to address the generation that was poisoned by lead. "Buffa is hereby ordered to immediately disqualify Mayor Fouts as a candidate for mayor in 2023 and not place his name on the ballot for election," the Court of Appeals' opinion said. Marable Jr.: There are access issues for low-and moderate-income users to our courts. I will continue to support rehabilitation programs that teach defendants in my court how to break the cycle that brought them in front of me. Ballots will have to be finalized so they can be printed and sent to clerks by June 24, when clerks have to transmit or mail absent voter ballots to military or overseas voters who applied for one. This decision, once again, corrects their unlawful actions." Christenson: Transparency is the greatest challenge to justice and accountability. I also will continue to support the use of free or low-cost mediation as a means for litigants to resolve their issues. Incumbent judicial address withheld . In the nonpartisan primary, the two candidates who receive the greatest number of votes advance to the general election. color: black;

Christina Elmore. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- Six candidates are vying for three judicial seats in contested races Nov. 3 in the county. In Genesee Circuit Court (7th Circuit Court), Genesee District Judge Harman Marable Jr. is running against attorney Chris Christensen while in Genesee District Court (67th District) races, Judge Jessica Hammon faces attorney Dawn Weier in the 2nd Division, and attorneys Torchio Feaster and Tabitha Marsh are seeking the open seat in the 5th Division. padding-left: 10px; The council has achieved a TKO in denying a competitive election in November.
float:right; Explain your goals. I am also of the opinion that, absent unusual circumstances, cases should progress through the legal system in a timely manner. 	color: black; How could the judicial system better serve the public - in cost, in service, and/or in outcomes? The 221 judges of the Michigan Circuit Courts are selected in an identical manner, each serving six-year terms. .widget-row.Democratic { We as the judiciary must strive to make all things we do transparent to all. Marsh received an associates degree, graduating Summa Cum Laude, from Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek.  "We conclude that the relevant charter sections failure to specify that time in office before the 2020 amendment will be counted does not make them ambiguous. Jeff Schroder, an attorney representing the City Council, said "we're very pleased with the court's decision because it upheld the will of the voters who approved a term limit amendment by over 67% of the vote in 2020.  Michigan Court of Appeals  That term-limit situation was a seesaw battle through the courts with expedited appeals. 	width: 250px; .courts-container hr {background-color:#f0a236;padding-bottom:2px;}, 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, Michigan Supreme Court  I have more than 18 years experience being an attorney. Feaster: The current system demonstrates a lack of respect for the time of those participating in the legal process. Heres a look at how the candidates responded to questions on some key issues. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. He wrote " 'any terms of years served prior to this amendment are included' language was in the ballot's explanatory caption, but not in the 'proposal' section on the ballot or in the amended charter.". .widget-key { }, Paul Denenfeld is a judge of the 17th Circuit Court in Kent County, Michigan. Using tools such as Alternate Dispute Resolution and Mediation the courts can encourage participants to work to resolve their differences earlier in the process, saving them time, money and stress. This is not necessarily what the State Court Administrators Office is paying attention to. My length of time as an attorney coupled with my experience in District Court qualifies me for this position. } Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2023, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2022, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2021, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2020, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2019, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2018, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2017, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2016, https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=17th_Circuit_Court,_Michigan&oldid=9037092, Conflicts in school board elections, 2021-2022, Special Congressional elections (2023-2024), 2022 Congressional Competitiveness Report, State Executive Competitiveness Report, 2022, State Legislative Competitiveness Report, 2022, Partisanship in 2022 United States local elections. I believe in treating people fairly and with respect. 	width: 150px; A primary election occurred on August 2, 2016. Justice must be carried out in a fair and equal manner. 2020 Election Season; 2022 Election Season; 2024 Election Season; Candidates; Contributors; Committees; Payees; Lobbying; Search. He has more than 20 years of experience as a practicing attorney in Genesee County Circuit Court and was on the Family Courts child abuse and neglect panel for seven years.  2023 www.freep.com. The Michigan Court of Appeals decision is at best an unlikely and implausible conclusion clearly contradicting the ruling of the Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Toia, Fouts said in a lengthy response. Lansing, MI 48933 He served as chairman of legal redress for the Michigan NAACP. 	margin-top: 1px; Judge Sima Patel* CIRCUIT COURT. border:1px solid #FFB81F; If there are more than twice the number of candidates than there are judgeships up for election, the race will appear on the primary election ballot. 0
 	word-wrap: break-word; Denenfeld was re-elected in 2010 and 2016. 	background-color: red; He said his clients want to appeal. Please, 100 largest cities in America by population, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2016, Local trial court judicial elections, 2016, Michigan Trial Courts Directory: Kent County, https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paul_Denenfeld&oldid=7280132, Michigan circuit court judges, 17th Circuit, Successful Michigan judicial candidates, 2010, Conflicts in school board elections, 2021-2022, Special Congressional elections (2023-2024), 2022 Congressional Competitiveness Report, State Executive Competitiveness Report, 2022, State Legislative Competitiveness Report, 2022, Partisanship in 2022 United States local elections. 	display: block; If elected, I would continue this practice as it benefits all involved. There is no substitute for the community and legal experience I bring to the courtroom. endstream
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 Christenseon: During my 20-year career I have practiced at every judicial level in Michigan, and I have had the opportunity to learn from Judges across our State. if(document.getElementsByClassName("reference").length==0) if(document.getElementById('Footnotes')!==null) document.getElementById('Footnotes').parentNode.style.display = 'none'; .courts-container { background-color:#fcfcfc; width:100%; border:1px solid black;padding:5px;text-align:center;clear:both; } Marable Jr.: I will bring experience, fairness, commitment, integrity, and diligence to the Circuit Court bench. Publication of candidate statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and should NOT be considered as an endorsement. Feaster has a bachelors degree from Eastern Michigan University and received his juris doctorate from the University of Dayton School of Law.  All candidates for Michigan House and Senate, regardless of party, are invited to return a questionnaire and apply for an endorsement. [1], .courts-container { background-color:#fcfcfc; width:100%; border:1px solid black;padding:5px;text-align:center;clear:both; } Such matters include: civil cases, landlord/tenant cases, misdemeanor criminal cases and felony criminal cases. Christenson: The Supreme Court Administrator does set and track benchmarks for courts to follow however, the information is not easily ascertainable. 26.  Michigan Circuit Court She was formerly on the public defender list, representing hundreds of defendants in felony cases. What attributes/qualifications do you possess that make you the best choice for this court? [4] Incumbent Paul Denenfeld and incumbent George Jay Quist were unopposed in the 17th Circuit general election (2 open seats). 	background-color: #f9f9f9; %PDF-1.6
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 I am also a sharp and effective communicator with strong leadership and interpersonal skills. She has been an attorney for nearly 19 years and has handled all types of cases litigated in Genesee District Court. She is on the MIDC arraignment team and has represented defendants on misdemeanor and felony warrants and misdemeanor cases through trial. The Court's activities are divided into the following functions: Judge Denenfeld is assigned to the Civil/Criminal Division of the Circuit Court. I have worked in the prosecutors office, as a judicial clerk and now as a criminal defense attorney. All candidates for Michigan House and Senate, regardless of party, are invited to return a questionnaire and apply for an endorsement. Michigan is one of 43 states that hold elections for judicial positions. %%EOF
 Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. Updated: 09/09/2022@05:00 PM Candidates: 621 Remaining: 618 Races . Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. p. 517.321.3073  April 13, 2020 . [1], Michigan held general elections for local judicial offices on November 8, 2016. All responses in the voter guide were submitted directly by the candidates and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters, except for a necessary cut if a reply exceeded character limitations. } Education. Publication of candidate statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and should not be considered as an endorsement. 	display: inline-block; .courts-container hr {background-color:#f0a236;padding-bottom:2px;}, 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, Michigan Supreme Court Weier: The State Court Administrators Office monitors the judges dockets to ensure they are running efficiently. But City Attorney Ethan Vinson issued an opinion that the 2020 term limits did not bar Fouts from running for a fifth term. This was a targeted proposal in which I was the only one affected by the vote without acknowledging it was aimed at only Mayor Fouts. They are chosen in nonpartisan elections and must face re-election if they wish to continue serving. Health Department. She is a former member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Flint Board of Directors. [3], Qualifications What do you perceive as the greatest challenge(s) to justice/public accountability? Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2018; Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2017; Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2016; Michigan judicial elections, 2014; Michigan judicial elections, 2012; Michigan judicial elections, 2010; Selection method See also: Nonpartisan election of judges.