Legislation headed to the Michigan House would eliminate eight judgeship’s across the state as a cost cutting measure. Under the bill, three probate court judge positions would disappear, one each in Ingham, Saginaw and St. Clair Counties. And five district court judgeship’s would be gone in Berrien, Oakland and Bay Counties and in Detroit and Waterford Township. Senate Democrat Steve Bieda supports keeping the position in Detroit saying the caseload in the city continues to grow and the judge is needed to ensure fair delivery of justice. But Senate Republican Rick Jones, the bill sponsor, says there are three and a half too many district judges in Detroit and they have to be fiscally responsible. The legislation cleared the Senate last week.
