Court and Community News from the Third Judicial Circuit

September 2024

The long-awaited Criminal Justice Center is now open for the Court’s Criminal Division

Above: the main entrance to the Criminal Justice Center (top) and one of the Third Judicial Circuit's courtrooms (bottom).

The day has arrived! The Third Judicial Circuit’s Criminal Division has joined the Wayne County Clerk's Office, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, and other county departments in the brand-new Criminal Justice Center in Detroit. This building provides more modern amenities and conveniences, supports enhanced security features and serves as a better overall experience for all visitors from members of the public and their attorneys to judges and employees.

The CJC includes 26 courtrooms for the Third Judicial Circuit and numerous high-tech features like improved wayfinding, monitors that display the daily docket, digital recording systems and annotation and evidence presentation features. There’s extra lawyer/client meeting spaces and expanded private meeting rooms in secured areas for judges and employee.

The CJC also includes a spacious Jury Services area, more Jury Deliberation Rooms and access to Wi-Fi for all throughout the building. Additionally, a simplified scheduling process has been established that allows judges to be more efficient in managing their dockets.

There’s plenty of extra space and natural light in the hallways and even a cafeteria for the public and employees to use. New technology included in the building addresses requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Visitors are not allowed in the secure corridors that house judicial and employee offices without an approved escort.

"The opening of the CJC allows us to utilize state-of-the-art court technology for our Criminal Division in a larger space that is more conducive to all visitors to conduct their business,” said Chief Judge Patricia Perez Fresard. “It also supports our ability to provide a safe environment for all, helping to build trust between members of the community, the Court and all of our Wayne County partners.”

The Court’s Criminal Division employees moved into the building in late August and all criminal cases are now held there. We appreciate the cooperation of all judges, referees and employees and recognize that many of you have worked long hours to get to this point. The CJC is a facility we can all be proud of!

Above: The facilities for juries have been greatly enhanced at the Criminal Justice Center. The Jury Services room holds 350 people (top). There are also Jury Deliberation Rooms throughout the Court (bottom).

Many of the Court's judges who worked at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice past or present gather on the front steps in late August before the building's closure.

Saying "goodbye" to the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice

While we're excited to move into the new Criminal Justice Center, judges, referees and employees of the Court all have fond memories of the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice, one of the Court's homes for five decades. Thanks to all team members for the memories there!

Several of the Criminal Division's judicial assistants also posed for a final week photo at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in late August.

NCSEA Celebrates it’s 50^th Anniversary in Detroit

The annual National Child Support Enforcement Association (NCSEA) Leadership Symposium was held on August 4-7 at the Detroit Marriott in the Renaissance Center. This year’s Symposium was doubly exciting as it was hosted in Detroit and it marked NCSEA’s 50th Anniversary.

The Leadership Symposium is an opportunity for members of the child support community to share and celebrate the application of best practices, partnerships, and innovative thinking within the day to day management and operations of the child support program. The conference provides a unique focus on nurturing current and future leaders in the child support program. 

The Symposium brings together more than 700 child support and human services professionals - decision-makers and influencers at the highest levels – which included state, tribal and county directors, managers, supervisors and staff members, non-governmental agencies, and private partners.

NCSEA President and Michigan IV-D Director, Erin Frisch, and Office of Child Support Services Commissioner Tanguler Gray presented at several primary and breakout sessions. Many Wayne County Friend of the Court managers, supervisors, staff members, and Call Center representatives were in attendance.  

Pictured left to right: Tonzia Maxwell, Michele Bradford, Dawana Andrews, LaDonna Cato-Floyd, Dayna Crenshaw, Anjela Moore, Erin Lincoln, Heather Lutz, LaShan Bradley, Jillian Fitzgerald, Christina McPhail-Stockdale, Dave McPhail, and Yolanda Houston.

Pictured: Michigan was well represented at this conference with child support professionals from the Office of Child Support, State Court Administrative Office, and Friend of the Court offices, as well as community leaders and partners 

In conjunction with the NCSEA Leadership Symposium is the NCSEA University program. Acceptance into the NCSEA “U” is by application only. It is a premier educational offering for leaders and emerging leaders in child support. Domestic Relations Supervisor, LaShan Bradley, was accepted into the 2024 program and earned her certification. Congratulations to LaShan!

Pictured left to right: LaShan Bradley and NCSEA U Instructor Robbie Endris.

Highlighting the amazing efforts to help families with child support

While September is here, we want to take the time to recognize that August 2024 was Child Support Month in Michigan. The Court recognizes the tireless efforts of child support workers, employers, state and county departments, hospitals and community partners who work to support Michigan children and families throughout the year.

In Wayne County, the Friend of the Court establishes child support orders, ensures those financial obligations are right-sized according to the Michigan Child Support Formula and enforces payment on these financial responsibilities.

Recent highlights for Wayne County Friend of the Court include:

• 276,157 cases served by the employees in 2023.
• $230.1 million collected and distributed in support for 2023.
• 7,573 reviews and investigations to ensure child support is properly charging.
• 60,766 National Medical Support Notices issued.
• 20,244 hearings heard by Friend of the Court Referees.
• Zoom hearings continue for Friend of the Court Referees, increasing access to court hearings and negating the need for travel and parking costs.
• The Friend of the Court resumed walk-in bench warrant resolution three days per week and street enforcement.
• The Friend of the Court resumed regular, monthly, community outreach at UAW, ACCESS, and Focus: HOPE.

The Friend of the Court recognized and celebrated staff’s hard work and achievements throughout the month of August with Bingo, prizes, and an ice cream social. None of the accomplishments highlighted above would be possible without our dedicated and passionate staff members. Thank you for all you do to improve the lives of families and children in Wayne County!

Third Judicial continues to take a national leadership role in Baby Courts

Pictured above our members of various Michigan Baby Court leadership teams representing Wayne, Saginaw and St. Clair County Courts. 

Referee and Deputy General Counsel Kathleen Allen attended the 18th Annual Cross Sites meeting in Grapevine, Texas in late August. This meeting was hosted by the Safe Babies, a program of ZERO TO THREE and the HRSA funded Infant-toddler Court. ZERO TO THREE is an early childhood development organization that helps to ensure babies and toddlers get a strong start in life. 

Along with partners from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, Wayne State University and more, our Court was able to collaborate with other Baby Courts throughout the Nation and share the Third Circuit Court's successful program with others as well as learn techniques as we move towards the future. We were also an integral part of the statewide site meeting where we were able to share our baby court successful journey with two sister counties in Michigan who are developing their first Baby Court.