Court and Community News from the Third Judicial Circuit

February 2025

Celebrating a Great Team at the Third Judicial Circuit

As we all know, the Third Circuit Court is an active place. All four locations remain extremely busy on weekdays as we continue to serve the needs of Wayne County residents, providing accessible and equal justice for all.

While we all have our daily responsibilities, I believe its important for all of you to understand what some of our core goals are for the Court in 2025. They involve addressing an important statewide issue, expanded communications and building on existing community partnerships. 

1) Position the Court as a leader on Juvenile Justice Reform in Michigan

This is an issue we are faced with daily. It is a part of every Dangerous Crimes Task Force meeting that I attend here in Wayne County. Other members of that task force include elected officials and departmental leaders in Wayne County, the City of Detroit and multiple law enforcement agencies. Juvenile crime is an increasing concern for many reasons, and we are working with national, state and county-based departments and organizations to fundamentally change the juvenile justice system by focusing on rehabilitation, reducing unnecessary incarceration of young people, and ensuring fairer treatment for all youth using a variety of strategies.

2) Further increase Court transparency through external and internal communications

We’re proud of all that this Court has accomplished and we want to let others – and ourselves – know about it. We’ll talk about court issues and trends, and speak to county residents as well. We have a great story to tell! I also strongly encourage our staff to contact me confidentially at chiefjudge@3rdcc.org with any questions, concerns or suggestions.

3) Expand our efforts in joining forces to serve better together

The Court has made notable strides in developing partnerships with our Wayne County and City of Detroit stakeholders, and with local law enforcement agencies. With your help, we can do even more! The William Booth Legal Aid Clinic and our involvement with other Wayne County officials with the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform’s Transforming Juvenile Probation Certificate Program are just two examples. Our Adoption Day and Reunification Day are others. We look to expand these examples so that more of our residents feel a connection to Third Circuit Court and more comfortable operating within the judicial system. 

Once again, feel free to email me at chiefjudge@3rdcc.org. Every communication will be read and considered. Thank you for all you are doing in support of this court and Wayne County residents.

Sincerely,

Judge Patricia Perez Fresard

FOC New Employees

Sierra Stephens joins the Case Establishment Department as a Domestic Relations Specialist. Sierra is from Detroit. She enjoys learning new things, traveling, being with family and friends, and music. 

She graduated from Tennessee State University and worked as a skip tracer for seven years, helping to find people who are missing, unresponsive, or hard to find. Sierra is excited to join Third Circuit Court and serve the community.

Bradley Bellafaire joins the Legal Department as a Staff Attorney. A 2024 graduate of Wayne State Law School, he was admitted to the Michigan Bar in the same year. Bradley is excited to begin his legal career with the Wayne County Friend of the Court.

In his free time, Bradley enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, kayaking, paddle boarding, and biking.

Katina Bryant joins the Review and Modification Department as a Domestic Relations Specialist. Katina is a Detroit native and has several years of administrative and managerial experience working in Human Service organizations helping children, youth and families. 

Although her Master of Science degree is in Educational Leadership, Katina is excited to join Third Circuit Court and assist families judicially. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, singing and spending time with her grandchildren.

Profiling how we support legal education

New lawyers have many questions about dealing with courts as they kick off their careers. That’s why the Third Judicial Circuit’s General Counsel presents a New Lawyer Bootcamp to attorneys who recently passed the Bar, or experienced lawyers who just need a refresher, in conjunction with the Detroit Bar Association (DBA). Given multiple times per year, the New Lawyer Bootcamp is just one example of training offered by the General Counsel’s Office for the legal community.

General Counsel Margaret Flanagan and Deputy General Counsel Fran Yturri led the most recent Bootcamp presentation to DBA members last month. They provided background about the Third Circuit Court, reviewed the different divisions and detailed procedures on filings, the role of referees and more. The presentation ended with a list of the top 10 recommendations for new lawyers that interact with the Court.

Deputy General Counsel Kathleen Allen led a training session for Wayne County-based Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Foster Care and Children's Protective Services workers in January. Allen presented information about court protocol, testimony, evidentiary documents, and the baby court docket along with Michigan Assistant Attorney General Brittany Lewis Gitau. 

The Court's Office of General Counsel provides ongoing training to new MDHHS workers, infant mental health clinicians and attorneys on this specialty docket and the baby court model.

Maceo Talley retires after 32 years of service with the Court

Maceo Talley has retired from the Third Circuit Court after 32 years of public service. His last position was in the Court Clerical Services Department at the Friend of the Court (FOC).

Maceo started with the Court on September 25, 1992 in the FOC's Public Communications Department working at the Cadillac Tower. He helped to answer calls that came into the original Wayne County FOC Call Center. 

In 2001, Maceo was selected as part of a team to help develop and test the screens for the Michigan Child Support Enforcement System (MiCSES). He trained Wayne County FOC staff in using this new system, which was a monumental task since Wayne County was the first in Michigan to implement MiCSES. Maceo then worked in Customer Service, Order Entry, and, finally, Court Clerical Services Department.

When asked what he will do in retirement, Maceo responded: "I'll pretend I'm going to work and return home after my wife leaves," joking that he didn't want to commit to "honey do" lists around the house.

In all seriousness, retirement will allow Maceo to spend more time with family, friends and sports. "I could not be taking this next step in life without the blessing of my wife, Nicolle, with whom we have two children and 6 grandchildren. My passion is young people and sports. I’ve been coaching young people from toddlers to adults for over 45 years and will continue doing so.”

Maceo makes it clear though that he will miss his FOC colleagues. “To my FOC family, I cannot say enough about you all. We have done the most with the least and always seem to champion through. I will forever remember the joys and sorrows we’ve shared over the years."