Today is “Constitution Day.” [1]
In 2009, the not-for-profit Project for Public Spaces lamented loss of the local courthouse as “a cornerstone of the community, a source of local pride and the nexus of social life and ritual. [2]
[Today], courthouses and the public spaces that often surround them are, for the most part, physically and programmatically disconnected from public life, even though they regularly occupy central property in a community. Citizens don’t visit their courthouses unless compelled to do so, and very few court spaces serve as public destinations [causing] an unfortunate disservice to their history and potential role as cornerstone institutions.
That’s a quaint notion that’s hard to imagine here — even back when District Court 14-A4 was located in the old service center building across from the library, on the other side of the North Maple railroad tracks (what is now the site of Saline Maple Oaks construction). But in a post-9/11 world, such nostalgia isn’t just impractical, but imprudent. [3,4,5]
Still, former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Robert Young gave respect to the ideal in his remarks opening the Washtenaw County 14A facility on Hogback Road in Ann Arbor, the center of which Saline operation is one branch. [6,7,8,9,10]
The courthouse is the people’s building. They come here with their problems. Through the doors come crime victims and those accused of crimes; families in turmoil; businesses large and small. Disputes are resolved, rights adjudicated, and violence punished. Courts are witness to the worst of human nature but also of humanity’s determination that good will and the rule of law should prevail.
In 2002, one of our own area jurists at the time, The Honorable Julie Creal Goodridge provided an exceptional and very readable soup-to-nuts explanation of the court system, from United States Supreme Court to District Court 14A-4. For additional specifics, Saline Journal approached Deputy Court Administrator Lisa Fusik with follow-up questions for today. [11]
Saline Journal: “Why do we have a dedicated District Court here in Saline?”
Lisa Fusik: “Per MCL 600.8251, the court shall sit at each city having a population of 6,500 or more. If the city requests the presence of the court and they meet the population requirement, we are obligated to provide a court.
In addition to the legislation, the Saline Court provides a location that is accessible to many jurisdictions within the county. The Saline court oversees criminal and traffic cases for the City of Saline, the City of Milan, Bridgewater Township, Freedom Township, Lodi Township, Manchester Township, Saline Township, Sharon Township, York Township and the Village of Manchester. It handles civil matters for all of these jurisdictions as well as the City of Chelsea, Dexter Township, the City of Dexter, Lima Township, Lyndon Township, Northfield Township, Scio Township, Sylvan Township and Webster Township. It is important that the court be accessible to the entire county it serves. Providing regional courts is one way for us to do that.”
Saline Journal: “How would you describe the decorum of this court?”
Lisa Fusik: “All of our court locations conduct our hearings and interactions with professionalism and respect.”
Saline Journal: “In an age of casual workplace attire and youth who call their adult Scoutmasters by first name, how would you advice anyone coming into this court to present themselves?”
Lisa Fusik: “We would ask that all those conducting business with the court act and dress in a professional manner.”
Saline Journal: “Do you think it’s a challenge for court personnel to balance their functions on the job with that of being a part of this community?”
Lisa Fusik: “Most people understand that we are only doing our jobs. In fact, in our most recent survey, 94% of respondents felt that court staff treated them with courtesy and respect, and 95% of respondents felt that our judicial staff treated them with courtesy and respect. Given these responses, it really is uncommon for our staff to have any issue with our community members outside of the court.”
Saline Journal: “Why are Sheriff’s Deputies utilized within 14A-4 District Court as opposed to Saline Police officers?” [12,13]
Lisa Fusik: “Because 14A-4 is a County building, the Washtenaw County Sheriff provides security. They provide security for all of our buildings. All of our court locations have multiple agencies that file complaints and tickets, have court hearings and swear to complaints. It works very well.”
Saline Journal: “How would you describe the relationship between this court and Saline Police Department?”
Lisa Fusik: “Our relationship with the Saline Police Department has always been collaborative. We count on having a strong relationship with all of our agencies in order to provide the best, most efficient service to our community. We value the Saline Police Department as a partner to the court in keeping the community safe and providing justice.”
Saline Journal: “The courthouse is just across the street from Saline Middle School. Is that safe?” [14]
Lisa Fusik: “I believe it is very safe. None of our court buildings have ever had any issue that could not be resolved by our security staff. In fact, having security staff and law enforcement personnel in such close proximity may actually make the community safer.”
Saline Journal: “14A-4 District Court operations have been made available to local students for field trip visits and even use in conducting mock trials. Can you talk a little about this?”
Lisa Fusik: “Every year, our terrific probation staff coordinates with the Middle School to give tours of the court, allow for observation of actual court proceedings and also conduct mock trials. There is always value in education of the court process and we are very fortunate to have this long standing and beneficial opportunity to start this education at a young age. In fact, our retired probation agent, Cris Scanlon was recognized for her contribution to this program over the years by being named to the Saline School’s Hall of Fame!”
Saline Journal: “Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton recently hosted an Open House to, in part, foster an increasingly closer relationship with the community at large. Is this something that 14A-4 District Court might consider offering?” [15]
Lisa Fusik: “The 14A District Court is always open to new opportunities that allow the community to have access and learn more about our court.”
Saline Journal: In what ways would you say that this court is accountable to the residents and businesses of the City of Saline?
Lisa Fusik: “We are always available to our community members. We provide monthly transmittals to the Police Department/City of Saline regarding court costs. As a county-funded court we report to the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners regarding our budget and other issues.” [16]
Saline Journal: “Is there anything that you would like to make sure our readers know about the functioning in which your court is a part?”
Lisa Fusik: “The 14A District Court is a pioneer of online case resolution. In 2014, the 14A Court piloted the first of its kind online ticket mediation and now offers that program in collaboration with seven police departments — including the Saline Police Department. We have now expanded to allow online plea, online warrant review and soon, online Driving While License Suspended case review. All of these programs allow for efficient handling of cases and greater access to justice.”
The 14A District Court has recently revamped its website with information for anyone who needs to contact the court. [17]
The Washtenaw County District 14A-4 Courthouse neighbors Saline-based electronic assemblies manufacturer Lectronics, within sight of Linden Square Assisted Living Center, just down from Saline Health Center, around the corner from Dance Step Studio, Saline ATA Martial Arts, and Maplewood Lanes. In other words, it’s finely woven into our local fabric. The Honorable Judge J Cedric Simpson presides over District Court 14A-4. [18,19,20,21,22,23,24]
This is part of how the substance behind Constitution Day works at the local level and why it is important.
References
- “Celebrating Constitution Day” National Archives.
- “Reinventing the Courthouse” Karen Levy, with Fred Kent and Cynthia Nikitin (January 2, 2009) Project for Public Spaces.
- “It’s Important to Know Both History and the Market for Strategic Business Development in Saline” Dell Deaton (May 15, 2018) Saline Journal.
- Saline Maple Oaks (home page).
- “Court Security: Resource Guide” National Center for State Courts.
- Michigan Supreme Court (home page).
- “Robert P Young Jr” Institute of Continuing Legal Education.
- “New court – with jail – opens in Washtenaw County” Frank Weir (August 4, 2010) Macomb County Legal News.
- 14A District Court (home page).
- “14A-4: Criminal & Traffic Cases” 14A District Court, Washtenaw County Michigan.
- Impressions (February 2003) Washtenaw County Historical Society Newsletter.
- Sheriff’s Office, Washtenaw County Michigan (home page).
- “Police Department” City of Saline.
- “Saline Middle School” Saline Area Schools.
- “Washtenaw County Sheriff Open House Event Held To Build Stronger Relationships Within The Community It Must Serve” Dell Deaton (August 18, 2018) Saline Journal.
- Board of Commissioners, Washtenaw County Michigan (home page).
- “14A District Court” Washtenaw County Michigan.
- Lectronics (home page).
- Linden Square Assisted Living Center (home page).
- “Saline Health Center” Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan.
- Dance Step Studio (home page).
- ATA Martial Arts (home page)
- Maplewood Lanes (home page).
- “J Cedric Simpson” Washtenaw County Michigan.
