Detroit judge declared mentally unfit for bench
DETROIT (AP) — A Detroit judge has been declared mentally unfit after a three-day hearing about her ability to remain in office.
The conclusion about Brenda Sanders was made Tuesday by a retired judge who heard evidence presented by a watchdog agency, the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission.
Sanders was on medical leave for months at 36th District Court before the Michigan Supreme Court suspended her without pay in September. Investigators say she’s unable to do her job because of paranoid delusions.
Retired Judge Michael Sapala says that Sanders has a mental disability that prevents her from being a judge. Her lawyer suddenly announced Sanders’ retirement during the December hearing, but it’s unclear if she notified the governor.
The misconduct case will eventually be sent to the Michigan Supreme Court for action.
Ex-Inkster judge wins appeal in lawsuit tied to removal from bench
INKSTER, Mich. (AP) — A former Detroit-area judge has won an appeal in a lawsuit tied to an investigation that forced her out of office.
Sylvia James says her constitutional rights were violated when documents were removed from a personal safe at Inkster District Court. She also says she was treated differently than white judges accused of misconduct. James is black.
In a 2-1 decision Wednesday, an appeals court says James can pursue those claims in federal court.
The Michigan Supreme Court removed James from office in 2012 after she was accused of turning a community service fund into her own private foundation, spending money to travel and to promote herself.
Third Judicial Circuit Court warns residents of jury duty scam
The Third Judicial Circuit Court of Wayne County has learned of a telephone scam regarding missed jury duty. The scam artist will call and advise the person that jury duty was missed and a fine of $500 has to be paid immediately or the person will be subject to arrest or an arrest warrant will be issued.
The Third Circuit Court advises Jurors:
If you receive a phone call like this, it is not from the Third Judicial Circuit Court or anyone affiliated with the Court. Do not respond to this phone call or pay anyone any sum of money. Obtain as much information as you can about the caller and report it to your local police department.
If you missed jury duty in the Third Judicial Circuit Court, you will not receive a phone call requesting money and threatening arrest. You may contact the Court if you failed to appear for jury duty. If you were to serve at the Coleman A. Young Center, please call 313-224-5650. If you were to serve at Frank Murphy Hall of Justice, please call 313-224-2507. If you do not call, you may receive a Show Cause Order requiring your presence in Court on a specific date to explain why you missed court.
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