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Report and
Recommendations
Delivering Justice in the Face of Diminishing Resources
2nd Edition, March 2011
INTRODUCTION
The Judicial Crossroads Task Force was born of a recognition that the landscape for Michigan’s justice system is
changing in perilous ways. The state’s fiscal situation has been dire and the horizon for substantial recovery is
uncertain. For the past decade, our judges, prosecutors, and the bar have been struggling to deliver justice in the
face of diminishing resources and rising needs. Their efforts have been surprisingly successful in delivering
significant cost savings while preserving essential services. But more and more, they are finding that the
fundamental services they are constitutionally bound to deliver are at risk.
They are not alone. Judicial branch cost-cutting initiatives have paralleled those of our public officials and public
servants at every level of govern
Report and Recommendations Delivering Justice in
INTRODUCTION The Judicial Crossroads Task Force
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF A STRAIGHTFORWARD PLAN 1
PRINCIPLES The Task Force recommendations are co
RECOMMENDATIONS How to Read These Recommendations
to transform our court structure; but another, mo
o Every court, whether or not it is part of a c
Solution Create an advisory board appointed by th
The work of a trial court judge is both timeless
Critical Challenge The haphazard compensation and
Budget Impact Immediate state-funded annual cost
transported from jail to courthouse and back for
Spread Successful Programs and Encourage Data-Bas
o Expand eligibility for problem-solving court
lawyers and litigants in non-business cases. Ther
Solution and costs, Create and enforce statewide
consistent statewide definitions and procedures,
o Maintain strong central judicial leadership o
According to the 2000 U.S. Census, 850,000 Michig
judicial officers, administrative staff and ot
o Implement a pilot project to establish a stat
Judicial Crossroads Task Force Chairs: Barry L.
Access to Justice Committee Chairs: E. Christophe
Structure and Resource Committee Chair: Hon. Alto