The Michigan judiciary will receive $34.6 million as part of the new state budget that Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth T. Clement says will help fund improvements in the court system’s technology infrastructure, support public engagement and problem-solving initiatives and bolster as well programs that foster racial and social equity.
“Thanks to the governor and the legislature, the judicial branch can continue to move forward to tackle key concerns identified by the Michigan Judicial Council,” she said. “This budget is laser-focused on supporting a court system that is more accessible, transparent, engaged, data driven and efficient.
“On a personal level, I am so grateful for the strong commitment to fund implementation of the recommendations of the Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform. The result will be a state-of-the-art approach to helping youth get on track to achieving their full potential while keeping our communities safe.”
Budget highlights:
• Statewide Case Management System ($11,899,100)
“Statewide case management will make courts more efficient, save local courts money and staff time, and provide real-time data that policy makers can use to make decisions,” Clement noted.
Of particular importance to local courts, she said, a portion of this funding will eliminate the user fee trial courts previously had to pay SCAO Judicial Information Services for providing those services.
This is a significant cost savings for counties, cities and townships who have paid upwards of $4-6 million annually in user fees, according to Clement.
More broadly, this funding enables the continued transition of the judiciary from a complex network of various case management tools to a single, uniform, statewide case management system.
• Juvenile Justice Services ($2,025,000)
Implementing a recommendation of the Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform, Clement said this funding will support technical assistance for local courts and efficient coordination with stakeholders regarding implementation of other reform recommendations.
An additional $500,000 was also approved in the current fiscal year to jumpstart creation of the Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Services Division at State Court Administrative Office.
• Data Transparency ($4,500,000)
One-time funding for the Statewide Court Data Transparency Project will allow the SCAO to partner with Measures for Justice to develop a pioneering data transparency initiative to publish criminal justice system data.
By providing a common set of data, local communities will be able to assess local problems and share solutions with grassroots groups across the state.
• Juvenile Probation Data ($10,000,000)
Allocation allows SCAO to accept and spend a federal grant from the Bureau of Justice Statistics to establish a juvenile probation data software application to interface and connect with the larger statewide judicial case management system.
• Justice for All ($475,000)
Funding will support development of training modules and materials, public education, and pilot projects of the Justice for All Commission focused on the goal of 100 percent access to Michigan’s civil justice system.
• Friend of the Court Bureau ($420,000)
Budget language authorizes spending of a federal Safe Access for Victims Economic Security (SAVES) grant to increase safe access to child support services for domestic violence victims and survivors.
•Judicial Education ($300,000)
This funding supports implementation of a new continuing judicial education program to be conducted by the Michigan Judicial Institute.
The budget also allows for additional funding for the Michigan Court of Claims, Judicial Tenure Commission, State Appellate Defender Office, and Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System, as well as ongoing support for the Board of Law Examiners.
The Michigan Judicial Council was created in 2021 to make recommendations to the Supreme Court on matters pertinent to the administration of justice, including developing a strategic agenda for the judicial branch as well as suggesting proposals that would enhance the work of courts around the state.
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