The state budget Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed on July 24 directs more than $17. 5 million in new funding to the Michigan judiciary for next fiscal year (October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025), as well as limited additional funding for the remainder of this fiscal year. In particular, the budget enables ongoing efforts to improve efficiency with implementation of a statewide case management system and to further ensure the safety of Michigan jurists.
“Those of us who sit on the bench cannot adequately do our jobs and serve the people of Michigan without maintaining confidence and trust in our court system—not to mention our own safety in an age of heightened exposure,” said Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Elizabeth T. Clement. “I want to thank the governor and legislative leaders for their continued support as we work to accomplish these goals and to continue improving service to the public.”
Budget highlights include:
• Statewide Case Management System
New, ongoing funding for seven new full-time employees (FTE); operating costs. 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.
• Judicial Security
New funding and authorization for one FTE position for judicial security as it relates to personally identifying information. Funding would help the State Court Administrative Office in assisting all interested judges with removing their personal information (e.g., home addresses, phone numbers, children's school addresses) from the internet. This safety initiative responds to increasing threats against judges nationwide.
• Judgeship Changes
New funding to cover costs of two new judgeships: one probate court judgeship in Macomb County; and one district court judgeship in Kent County. This funding enables these courts to increase access and efficiency so they can better serve their communities.
• Behavioral Health Administrator
New funding and one FTE to establish a behavioral health administrator position within SCAO. The administrator would help analyze, develop, and implement improved court responses and services and best practices for addressing mental health issues and substance use disorder. This initiative implements a critical recommendation of expert panels who have extensively studied how to improve the way courts address behavioral health issues.
“Those of us who sit on the bench cannot adequately do our jobs and serve the people of Michigan without maintaining confidence and trust in our court system—not to mention our own safety in an age of heightened exposure,” said Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Elizabeth T. Clement. “I want to thank the governor and legislative leaders for their continued support as we work to accomplish these goals and to continue improving service to the public.”
Budget highlights include:
• Statewide Case Management System
New, ongoing funding for seven new full-time employees (FTE); operating costs. 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.
• Judicial Security
New funding and authorization for one FTE position for judicial security as it relates to personally identifying information. Funding would help the State Court Administrative Office in assisting all interested judges with removing their personal information (e.g., home addresses, phone numbers, children's school addresses) from the internet. This safety initiative responds to increasing threats against judges nationwide.
• Judgeship Changes
New funding to cover costs of two new judgeships: one probate court judgeship in Macomb County; and one district court judgeship in Kent County. This funding enables these courts to increase access and efficiency so they can better serve their communities.
• Behavioral Health Administrator
New funding and one FTE to establish a behavioral health administrator position within SCAO. The administrator would help analyze, develop, and implement improved court responses and services and best practices for addressing mental health issues and substance use disorder. This initiative implements a critical recommendation of expert panels who have extensively studied how to improve the way courts address behavioral health issues.
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