District court celebrates a year of steady progress

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 PHOTOS BY JUDGE DONALD H. PASSENGER, COURTESY OF 61ST DISTRICT COURT

by Cynthia Price
Legal News

The 61st District Court has a lot to celebrate this year, and what better way than to throw a party?

Of course, it being the holiday time of year, they would have thrown a party anyway, but when a court can increase revenues, reduce expenses, and still improve the court experience for the public, the party might just be more meaningful.

The event included a potluck luncheon, a Christmas tree drawing contest, raffles, and perhaps best of all, the Grand Rapids City High School Choir (shown top right, with the appreciative audience bottom right).

Choir Director Darla Jewell delivered the goods, with talented young people singing well in the holiday spirit. “They were awesome,” comments 61st District Court Administrator Gary Secor.

There were approximately 75-80 people in attendance, from all of the departments and divisions of the court: Judicial, Probation, Administration, Work Crew, Court Officers, Informa-

tion Technology and the Office of Clerk Tanya Todd.

According to Secor, who has been the administrator for approximately two and a half years, the busy court underwent organizational changes in each of its divisions with a resulting improvement in court revenues and decrease in expenses in 2013. A number of technology changes resulted

in improved public access to court information and increased capacity

to receive payments electronically or by phone. 

There were also upgrades to testing equipment and software in the court’s Drug Lab.

Not satisfied to rest on their laurels, in 2014 judges and administration plan to complete a major upgrade on their Full-Court Case Management System and automatic uploading of traffic citations from the City Treasurer. They are also reviewing automated Jury Management and Imaging systems.

As Secor said when he started at the court, “The 61st District Court is already considered an exceptional court around the state, but there are always ways to improve efficiency and customer service.”

The court staff also gave back to the community by donating clothing, toiletries, gifts, and money to the Grand Rapids Veteran’s Home. The court’s “dress down” fund pulled in $1800 over the year, and that money went to five local charities.

District Court Judges include David J. Buter, Chief Judge, Jeanine N. LaVille, Chief Judge Pro Tem , J. Michael Christensen, Benjamin H. Logan, Donald H. Passenger, and Kimberly Schaefer. There is also a magistrate, Fritz Hartley.

 

 

 

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