Appeals court judge upset over age limit sues in wrong court

TROY (AP) — A Michigan appeals court judge who is trying to get around an age limit has lost the first round of a legal challenge.
Peter O’Connell sued in the wrong court.

A Court of Claims judge dismissed the case last week, saying O’Connell should start in a circuit court instead.

O’Connell tells The Detroit News that he’s “shocked.” His lawyer is pledging to appeal.

O’Connell can’t run for re-election in 2018 because he’ll be 70.

So he’s suing the state to try to get his name on the ballot this year as an incumbent for a different seat on the appeals court.

O’Connell has been told that he can run but he needs to collect signatures and can’t be listed as the incumbent.