By Tom Kirvan
Legal News
It was not a pleasant time to be chief judge.
During the six-year stretch from 2003-09, the boom went bust across Michigan, sending property values plummeting and tax revenues spiraling downward in a corresponding free-fall for state and local governmental units.
As courts throughout the state were mired in fiscal misery, Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Wendy Potts had a special set of problems to address in regard to jail overcrowding issues and funding support for the adult and juvenile drug court programs.
“When she sees problems, Judge Potts isn't one to wring her hands,” said Judge James Alexander, her colleague on the Oakland Circuit Court. “She is a problem-solver and has been throughout her legal career, especially during her tenure as chief judge. She has a history of finding innovative ways to address difficult problems.”
For such efforts, Judge Potts will be honored by the State Bar of Michigan next month with the Champion of Justice Award for 2010. The award will be presented on Wednesday, Sept. 29 at the State Bar's Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids. Other award recipients that evening will include John Nussbaumer, dean of the Auburn Hills Campus of Cooley Law School; James Olson; and Charles Borgsdorf, John Conway, and Gerald Mantese.
A member of the Circuit Court bench since 1998, Judge Potts was instrumental two years ago in helping spearhead changes in the state's jail overcrowding statutes while serving as chair of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. The overcrowding problem was particularly acute in Oakland County where the jail population mushroomed in the wake of area's economic downturn.
“It was not a problem that could be ignored,” Judge Potts said. “It was a daily dilemma about how best to manage the jail population. The new legislation gives us better ways to control overcrowding without needlessly sacrificing the safety of our citizens.”
The Oakland County jurist likewise stepped to the forefront when grant funding cutbacks threatened the future of drug court programs administered by the Circuit Court. Under her leadership, the RESTORE Foundation was created in the fall of 2008, providing a private funding component to supply financial support for the juvenile and adult treatment programs. Her efforts in that regard have earned the gratitude of Circuit Court Judge Joan Young, who volunteers her time in the drug court programs along with Judge Colleen O'Brien and Judge Edward Sosnick.
“Judge Potts served as chief judge of the Circuit Court for six years, longer than any other chief judge,” Judge Young said. “During her tenure she supported the Adult Treatment Courts by her presence at every graduation ceremony, referral of candidates to the program, and, most importantly, by taking charge and initiating the development of the RESTORE program. Judge Potts recognized the need for private funding for this critical program due to the uncertainty of federal and state grant funding. She lent her considerable skills to the formation of the RESTORE Foundation. This highly successful effort will provide needed support for the program and participants. The judges and staff involved are most appreciative of her interest in helping reform the behavior of drug and alcohol addicted offenders. In this way, the citizens of Oakland County benefit from reduced recidivism.”
For Judge Potts, a past president of the Oakland County Bar Association, the success of the RESTORE Foundation can be attributed to widespread community support for a “very worthy” cause.
“We have been fortunate to attract a number of very dedicated people to serve on our board and they have done an outstanding job over the last two years convincing donors of the value of the drug court programs in Oakland County,” Judge Potts said. “The response we have received from the legal community and beyond has been tremendous, and has allowed us to help fill the funding shortfalls in the program.”
This year, for the first time, the Foundation will award three $1,000 scholarships to graduates of the drug court programs. The money is being supplied through the Joshua Charles Short Scholarship Fund for the RESTORE Foundation. The scholarships are for educational or vocational use, according to Judge Potts, who noted that the recipients will be honored at a special ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 23 at 1 p.m. in her Oakland County courtroom.
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