– Photo by John Meiu
Macomb County Circuit Court has launched a pilot project offering summary jury trials as an option for civil cases, with a particular emphasis on noncomplex tort, no-fault and business cases. The Macomb County Bar Association recently held a seminar for attorneys to learn about the process. Speakers included (left to right) John Nizol, circuit court legal service director, along with attorneys Richard Hurford, Michael Janes and Robert Garvey. Summary Jury Trials are one-day trials before a six-person jury, conducted by a presiding officer who may be the assigned trial judge, a retired judge or an attorney serving as a special hearing officer. The jury selection process is simplified, time limits are placed on the parties and the parties are free to modify the rules of evidence. Circuit Court Chief Judge James Biernat, who also attended the MCBA event, said the process has been successful in other states “and we are eager to pilot the program here in Macomb County.”
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