Daily Briefs

For 4th year in a row, people appear ‘Very Satisfied’ with Wayne County Probate Court


For the fourth year in a row, the Wayne County Probate Court received high marks from the public regarding their experiences with the court. Using a survey that was administered in courts statewide, the Wayne County Probate Court asked court users questions about whether the Court was accessible, timely, and fair, and if they were treated with courtesy and respect by judges and court staff.

“Our court serves the people, so their views are critically important in helping us make decisions on how to improve court operations,” said Chief Judge Freddie G. Burton. “I am very proud of the hard work put in by our team at the Wayne County Probate Court. We are committed to using our resources in the most efficient manner possible – including utilization of technology to the utmost – in order to continue improving our ability to provide service to the public.”

Highlights from the survey include:

• 94% of court users said they were treated with courtesy and respect by court staff.

• 89% of court users said the way the judge or magistrate handled their case was fair.

• 78% of court users were able to get their business done in a reasonable amount of time.

“We use the data from this survey to make management decisions that help better serve the public,” said Probate Register April K. Maycock. “Our goal is for every person who comes through the courthouse doors to be satisfied and treated fairly.”

Developed with input from judges and court administrators statewide and tabulated by the State Court Administrative Office to insure accuracy, the survey enables courts to identify strengths, provide positive feedback to employees, and target areas for improvement. The survey was completed by a range of court users, including parties to cases, attorneys, jurors, and others.

The public satisfaction survey is part of a statewide initiative of the Michigan Supreme Court and the State Court Administrative Office to measure and report on court performance. From 2013 through 2016, nearly 100,000 surveys were completed in courts throughout Michigan. Visit www.courts.mi.gov for more information.


 

Detroit suburb agrees to settle lawsuits  over planned mosque


STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (AP) — A Detroit suburb that denied a religious organization’s proposal for a mosque in a residential neighborhood has agreed to settle two federal lawsuits that alleged discrimination.

The Sterling Heights City Council voted late Tuesday to accept the settlements, including one in a lawsuit brought in December by the U.S. attorney’s office.

Federal authorities said Wednesday that Sterling Heights will allow construction of the mosque.

City officials say the settlement keeps Sterling Heights out of costly litigation.

The city’s planning commission voted in 2015 against a special land agreement sought by the American Islamic Community Center. A lawsuit brought by the community center noted a “hostile” commission and public.

Sterling Heights has said the denial was based on issues involving the building’s size and parking.

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