Daily Briefs (Nov 19)

Mich. Supreme Court pushes 18 cases to January for new court
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court is postponing arguments in 18 cases until January when a new justice comes aboard and conservatives are back in the majority.

There are criminal appeals, medical-malpractice claims, business litigation and personal-injury disputes. In 10 of the 18 cases, the court is hearing arguments to determine whether it should take an appeal of a lower court order.

The cases were supposed to be argued in December but they wouldn’t be resolved by the time Justice Alton Davis leaves the court on Jan. 1. Davis recently finished third in the five-candidate race for two seats.

Justice Robert Young Jr. was re-elected and Wayne County Judge Mary Beth Kelly won a seat, putting Republicans in the majority, 4-3, next year.

Lawsuit challenges no parole for juveniles
DETROIT (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit challenging a Michigan law that bars any chance at parole for juveniles convicted of certain murders.

Attorney Deborah LaBelle says it’s a violation of the constitutional ban against cruel and unusual punishment. She filed a lawsuit Wednesday in federal court in Detroit on behalf of nine people who were convicted of murders committed at age 17 or under.

The plaintiffs include 28-year-old Matt Bentley, who was convicted of a fatal shooting that occurred in 1997 in Huron County when he was 14.

LaBelle says it’s not fair that teens can’t go to the parole board and seek release, based on their rehabilitation in prison and other factors.

LaBelle is an Ann Arbor lawyer handling the case for the ACLU.

Eastern Michigan ALSP Chapter to hold holiday party at Dino’s Dec. 7
Join the Eastern Michigan ALSP Chapter for an evening of holiday cheer Dec. 7 at Dino’s in Ferndale. In addition to the holiday celebration, the group is also raising money for Grace Centers of Hope. A silent auction will be held during the evening. Dino’s is located at 22740 Woodward Avenue in Ferndale (additional parking and entrance is located in the rear). Register at alfassy@kellylawregistry.com or www.alsponline.org Easter Michigan Chapter.

Holiday hours
The Third Circuit Court Civil, Criminal and Family Divisions will be closed Thursday, Nov. 25 and Friday, Nov. 26 in observance of Thanksgiving. The court will reopen Monday, Nov. 29.
In observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday, the 36th District Court will be closed to the public on Thursday Nov. 25 and Friday Nov. 26.  Only Criminal Arraignments will be conducted.

The Wayne County Clerk’s Office will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 25 and Friday, Nov. 26 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

All offices of the United States District Court and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 25-26, for the Thanksgiving holiday. In case of emergency, call (313) 234-5656.

The Michigan Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, and the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) will be closed on Thursday and Friday Nov. 25-26, for the Thanksgiving holiday.

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