"x x x.
The Michigan Judicial Workload Assessment has now been published. It was written by the National Center for State Courts, and nearly all of Michigan’s 600-plus judges participated in the detailed time study incorporated in the report.
This report is the most detailed judicial workload study in Michigan in several years, and included detailed analysis of case filing data across the state, and extended analysis of many courts. It concludes that Michigan judges compare well with those of other courts across the country, maintaining caseloads and working hours which compare favorably to those of judges in many states.
However, as has been publicly reported, the study also recommends that the size of the Court of Appeals be reduced from 28 to 24 judges to match its declining caseload, and that 45 other judgeships across the state be eliminated. At the same time, the report identifies other courts in the state that need a total of 31 additional judges to maintain consistent judicial workload and efficiency among Michigan courts. One of those additional judges is recommended in Ottawa County, which currently has four circuit judges, four district judges, and one probate judge.
This report is the most detailed judicial workload study in Michigan in several years, and included detailed analysis of case filing data across the state, and extended analysis of many courts. It concludes that Michigan judges compare well with those of other courts across the country, maintaining caseloads and working hours which compare favorably to those of judges in many states.
However, as has been publicly reported, the study also recommends that the size of the Court of Appeals be reduced from 28 to 24 judges to match its declining caseload, and that 45 other judgeships across the state be eliminated. At the same time, the report identifies other courts in the state that need a total of 31 additional judges to maintain consistent judicial workload and efficiency among Michigan courts. One of those additional judges is recommended in Ottawa County, which currently has four circuit judges, four district judges, and one probate judge.
x x x."
