Insider Intelligence

On Wednesday, Governor Rick Snyder signed legislation providing heightened protections to survivors of human trafficking.  The three-bill package provides assistance to survivors by giving them resources to help support their recovery.  The bills also increase penalties for those who commit crimes by coercing victims to engage in the activity.

This week, Senator John Proos, along with a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues, introduced a legislative package to reform, re-establish, and rebuild a criminal justice system that will focus on lowering recidivism and keep Michigan safe.  The bill package addresses several issues, including: Updating the Swift and Sure probation sanctioning program Expediting medical commutation hearings […]

This week, the House passed a twenty-bill package seeking to make reforms to Michigan’s juvenile justice system.  The bills raise the age of a juvenile from 17 to 18 and require cases involving an individual under the age of 18 to be transferred to the Family Division of the Circuit Court.  However, the legislation does […]

On Monday, Governor Rick Snyder appointed Judge Ronald Schafer to the 8th Circuit Court, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge David Hoort.  Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Schafer served as the Ionia County Prosecutor since his election in 2005.  Additionally, he is an adjunct professor at Michigan State University […]

On December 22, Governor Rick Snyder announced the appointment of Judge John Hallacy to the 37th Circuit Court in Calhoun County, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Conrad Sindt.  Prior to the appointment, Judge Hallacy was a Judge in the 10th District Court where he served since being elected in November […]

On Tuesday, Governor Rick Snyder announced the appointment of Michael Pope to the 32nd Circuit Court in Gogebic and Ontonagon Counties.  The appointment fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Roy D. Gotham.  Judge Pope had been a private practice attorney since 1993, focusing on a general insurance defense practice.  He also teaches […]