The Michigan Judicial Council (MJC) is seeking public input ahead of its meeting on Tuesday, March 8 to assist the group in finalizing its 2022-25 Strategic Agenda.
Comments may be submitted either in writing or presented at the meeting (visit courts.michigan.gov/administration/special-initiatives/judicialcouncil; indicate a preference and send to MJC@courts.mi.gov).
The public can also view the 1 p.m. meeting on the court’s YouTube page.
“For the first time in Michigan history, we have brought together a wide range of stakeholders to develop a strategic plan with a unified vision for the judicial branch,” said Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget M. McCormack, who chairs the MJC. “We want to hear from the public about their experiences in our courts and what we can do to make our judiciary function better for everyone.
“Their valuable feedback regarding this proposed Strategic Agenda will inform the council’s work and help us focus on areas that need improvement and can benefit from innovation.”
The council is charged with proposing changes to the top court on matters pertinent to the administration of justice, including developing a strategic agenda for the judicial branch and suggesting proposals that would enhance the work of all courts.
The council has set the following five long-range goals for the judicial branch:
• Strategic Goal 1: Court Funding and Technology Infrastructure.
The people of Michigan deserve a court system that is adequately and equitably funded and sustainable over the long-term. Trial court funding in Michigan is broken, concluded the Trial Court Funding Commission[1] after a year-long study of Michigan’s historical and existing trial court funding system, national innovations, and best practices.
The TCFC said a priority for the justice system must be creation of a stable and consistent funding source for trial courts that removes trial court judges from raising money for the operation of the courts.
Michigan’s judicial system also needs a technology infrastructure that connects and integrates courts across the state. The judicial branch’s technology infrastructure is inadequate to meet current and future needs.
A unified and integrated technology platform will enhance information sharing, promote consistent data collection, analysis, and reporting, and improve judicial and administrative decision-making. A unified and fully integrated infrastructure will better position the judicial branch for integration with other justice system stakeholders, such as law enforcement, corrections, and child and social welfare agencies.
• Strategic Goal 2: The Public’s Experience & Effective Problem Resolution.
Access to justice is vitally important and a high priority for the judicial branch. All people need to be able to interact with and easily navigate the court system today and into the future. The experience of the public must engender understanding, trust, and respect in the judicial system. Meeting the evolving needs of those who use the courts and improving the experience for all people are high priorities for Michigan’s judicial system.
Additionally, Michigan’s courts provide justice through dispute and problem resolution. The branch is committed to improving and expanding effective dispute and problem resolution practices. This includes improving pretrial practices, expanding services to people experiencing mental health and substance abuse issues, using evidence-based and other effective problem resolution practices to achieve effective outcomes for youth, families, and others who use the courts, to name a few.
The Michigan judicial branch will continue its quest to strengthen dispute and problem resolution practices across the state. Doing so will help build a judicial system accessible to all and trusted by all.
• Strategic Goal 3: Racial and Social Equity.
All people who interact with the judicial system will be treated equitably and with dignity and respect.
The Michigan judicial branch will work to eliminate racial and social inequities across the entire justice system, including from initial contact, while cases are pending, and as people exit the system. All people, especially people of color and disenfranchised and marginalized groups, will have similar experiences; they will experience a justice system that is free from bias, equitable, consistent, and predictable. The judicial system will be fair and just for everyone.
• Strategic Goal 4: Public Trust and Understanding.
Educating about and maintaining trust and confidence in the judicial branch are essential to protecting the rule of law, maintaining a civil society, and preserving our democracy. The judicial system strives to be accessible to all and trusted by all. Remaining independent, being fair and impartial, responding to needs, being accountable for conduct and performance, and being transparent in the use of public resources are the bedrock for increasing understanding and building and maintaining the public’s trust and confidence.
• Strategic Goal 5: Workforce Excellence.
A professional, diverse, and skilled workforce is a high priority for the Michigan judicial branch. The judicial branch will work to ensure judicial officers, court administrators, and employees reflect the diversity in communities, and all will possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform at the highest levels. Judicial and administrative leaders will foster court cultures that are equitable, welcoming, and satisfying.
Together these high standards will ensure courts can recruit, hire, and retain a professional, competent, and diverse workforce and maintain an environment that is healthy, purposeful, and rewarding.
“Courts that are engaged and connected with the public are courts that are trusted and strengthen public confidence in an accountable and accessible judiciary,” McCormack said. “That’s why public comment is vital to inform and inspire the work of the council. Each comment will make the final product more inclusive and a better representation of what the public expects from our branch of government.”
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