Press Releases

Attorney Valerie R. White of Hillsdale has been appointed to the Attorney Grievance Commission by the Michigan Supreme Court, the Court announced today.

New Justice Bridget Mary McCormack was praised for her legal scholarship and character at her investiture ceremony at the Michigan Hall of Justice in Lansing today.

Rules for retaining and destroying case files and other court records in various juvenile cases – such as child protection, personal protection orders against juveniles, and juvenile delinquency – would be clarified under proposed changes to Michigan Court Rule 3.925.

A prosecutor's cross-examination about a defendant's failure to assert an alibi in an earlier trial is at issue in a case the Michigan Supreme Court will hear in oral arguments this week.

The justices of the Michigan Spreme Court have unanimously elected Robert P. Young, Jr. to a second term as chief justice, the court announced today.

Court performance measures, Supreme Court and Court of Appeals camera rules on agenda for Supreme Court's Nov. 28 public administrative hearing

Former Office of Child Support Director Marilyn Stephen of Jackson, Crawford County Juvenile Officer Thomas Haskel honored for service to Michigan families

State's Celebration of Adoptive Families Now in Tenth Year, Includes 33 Counties

Supreme Court to consider issue of first impression in oral arguments Court also to hear challenge to DHS 60-month lifetime limit on family cash assistance

A potential vote on a Salem Township rezoning decision—and a developer’s challenge to that referendum—is at issue in a case that will be argued before the Michigan Supreme Court tomorrow.

Foster Care Review Board recognizes honorees for helping children in foster care

In People v Minch, convicted felon seeks to have firearms seized by police delivered to his mother; Muskegon prosecutor argues felon-in-possession law bars delivery

No legal experience needed; center provides training for givinig tours, showing exhibits

Honor recognizes outstanding work for Michigan children and families

Michigan’s comprehensive jury reforms, and the Michigan trial court judges who tested them, are being honored along with the Michigan Supreme Court by the National Center for State Courts.

New site organizes content by audience, features better access and search tools

Two Medical Marihuana Cases, 10 Others to Be Heard Oct. 9-11

Judge Boonstra will be sworn in by U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Ralph B. Guy, Jr.

Also on September 27 administrative agenda: Should indigent prisoners have court-appointed attorneys if prosecutors or crime victims challenge parole grants?

Lake Orion 4th graders to re-enact Constitution signing Court at Learning Center

National Center for State Courts praises Michigan Supreme Court, pilot project judges for "sustained and comprehensive commitment to enhancing jury service"

Michigan Supreme Court Learning Center welcomes students, seeks volunteers

Honor recognizes outstanding work for Michigan families, children

Foster Care Review Board to recognize service to abused and neglected children

Petition's opponents claim type size in heading violated statutory requirement, but Michigan Court of Appeals found "substantial compliance" with type size rules

The Michigan Supreme Court will hear oral arguments next week in the case of an Inkster judge accused of violating judicial ethics rules.

July is Juror Appreciation Month, State Supreme Court declares

Scammers text targets, demand payment over the phone to quash bogus arrest warrents

June 29 mock hearing to focus on real-life case about five-year-old boy’s calls to 911; he sought help for mother, operators treated calls as pranks

A proposed rule that would specifically allow the use of electronic signatures on court records is on the agenda for the Michigan Supreme Court’s public hearing tomorrow.

Aspiring lawyers taking the bar examination have traditionally written their answers by hand, including lengthy responses to essay questions. But starting with the July 2012 bar exam, some exam takers will answer essay questions using their personal laptops, as part of a pilot project announced by the Michigan Board of Law Examiners today.

Law Day is an opportunity to learn about, and appreciate, the role of law in American democracy, and the Michigan Supreme Court is doing its part with educational events and resources.

Attorney Daniel C. Brubaker has been named Chief Commissioner of the Michigan Supreme Court, the Court announced today.

Parties dispute whether installers created a new hazard, or made an existing one worse, by installing a dryer in front of an uncapped gas line that owner later unknowingly turned on

Streamlining courts and eliminating unneeded judgeships are among the highlights of the Michigan Supreme Court’s annual report, which the Court released today.

A Michigan State University ordinance that makes it a crime to disrupt “the normal activity” of any MSU employee is at issue in an appeal that the Michigan Supreme Court will hear argued next week.

Attorney Troy A. Scott is the new director of Human Resources for the Michigan Supreme Court, Michigan Court of Appeals, and the State Court Administrative Office, the Supreme Court announced today.

Proposal specifies appropriate roles for judges at charity fundraisers and similar events

Attorney Jennifer D. Warner is the new director of the State Court Administrative Office’s Trial Court Services division, the Michigan Supreme Court announced today.

Supreme Court will hear arguments on whether 2011 Public Act 280 violates state Constitution; Governor, Oakland Board of Commissioners appeal Michigan Court of Appeals ruling striking down part of act as unconstitutional “local or special act”

Chief Justice Robert P. Young, Jr. has been named “Lawyer of the Year” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly in recognition of his work on court reform.

This summer, teachers and students alike can experience what it’s like to argue a case before the Michigan Supreme Court, thanks to programs being offered by the Court’s Learning Center.

Family members were forbidden to drive vehicles by owners, but drove cars anyway; insurance companies invoke “taken unlawfully” no-fault provision to bar coverage, but claimants invoke “family joyriding” exception, saying unlawful taking does not apply where forbidden drivers had no intent to steal cars

State legislators who passed bills to cut unneeded state judgeships came in for praise from Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert P. Young, Jr., as the last of the bills passed the House today.

Judges taking guilty pleas in criminal cases would have to advise offenders that their sentences could be longer if they are deemed to be habitual offenders, under a proposed court rule change being mulled by the Michigan Supreme Court.

No legal experience required; training provided

Also before the Court: defendants cite Michigan Medical Marihuana Act in seeking to have drug charges dropped; Court of Appeals upheld charges in both cases

The Michigan Supreme Court today announced its appointments to the Committee on Model Civil Jury Instructions, which drafts standard instructions for juries in civil cases.

Attorneys, parties would be barred from asking jurors about deliberations or basis for the verdict, unless court grants permission; proposal also limits scope of post-verdict inquiry

Michigan Supreme Court to host adoption hearings; Governor to sign “fostering connections” legislation

Joint annual award by Michigan Supreme Court, Department of Human Services named in his honor; Wright hailed for “dedication, creativity, compassion”

Foster Care Review Board recognizes honorees for work helping children in foster care

Governor Snyder, DHS Director Corrigan to attend ceremony at Michigan Hall of Justice; 30 Adoption Day events to take place around the state

Defendant charged with murders of brother and sister-in-law claims police interrogations, his psychology led him to make incriminating but false statements

Bonnie L. Rozema of Byron Center, Michigan has been appointed to the Court Reporting and Recording Board of Review by the Michigan Supreme Court. She will serve a partial term that will expire on March 31, 2013.

Jury said that exceptions to “parked vehicle exclusion” applied, plaintiff entitled to benefits Michigan Supreme Court to hear case in Caro as part of “Court Community Connections” program; local high school students to attend argument, meet Supreme Court justices

Bonnie L. Rozema of Byron Center, Michigan has been appointed to the Court Reporting and Recording Board of Review by the Michigan Supreme Court. She will serve a partial term that will expire on March 31, 2013.

Attorney Colleen A. Pero of Laingsburg has been appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court to serve as a commissioner-at-large on the State Bar of Michigan’s Board of Commissioners. Her three-year term begins immediately.

The Michigan Supreme Court today announced the following appointments to the Attorney Discipline Board:

The Michigan Supreme Court has announced the following appointments to the Attorney Grievance Commission:

Hon. Patricia J. Boyle, a former justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, has been appointed by the Court to serve on the Committee on Model Civil Jury Instructions. Her term will end on December 31, 2012.

Child witness testified behind a screen; defendant claims Confrontation Clause violation Challenges to felony convictions for failure to pay child support also before Supreme Court; defendants allege they lacked ability to pay

State high court offers events, resources for teachers and students to fulfill federallymandated educational requirement

Cap on attorney referral fees, pro bono requirements among proposed changes

At Governor’s request, Supreme Court to mull constitutionality of bill that would create sliding scale for reducing, eliminating tax exemption for pensions of public sector retirees

The Foster Care Review Board is seeking nominations for its annual Child Welfare Awards, which honor judges, lawyers, foster care workers, and foster parents for exemplary service to children in Michigan’s foster care system.

A passion for learning is among the requirements for a volunteer opportunity with the Michigan Supreme Court Learning Center.

Report by State Court Administrative Office calls for eliminating 45 trial court judgeships, four judgeships on the Michigan Court of Appeals; 31 new trial court judgeships also needed in some areas, SCAO finds, but does not recommend additions because of state, local economic climates

A media briefing on the results of the 2011 Judicial Resources Recommendations.